Spring seems to have officially sprung in the 108 Mile Ranch, and with the snow gone and the birds singing, the community is buzzing with activity. May is shaping up to be a lively month filled with events that celebrate the season, bring neighbours together, and support local causes.
Our part of the world will start to see more and more of those intrepid, urban dwellers migrating from their coastal areas or south of the border, arriving in their roof top tented Teslas, BMW SUVS, or in enormous camper trailers or motorhomes. Let's take a long, deep breath and welcome them back. I’m still hoping for a few good days of solid rain to keep the potential May fires at bay.
Our 108 Ranch golf course is under new lease management, operated by local resident Lee Hansen. To book a tee time at this excellent course, for general inquiries or to obtain a membership(best deal around), please call the new number at 250-945-9484.
Residents are reminded that anything with paws, claws, feathers or fangs will be out actively seeking much-needed spring sustenance and as a result, all garbage and all bins should be kept either indoors or out of reach of creatures great and small until collection day. Fines will be applied to those who put it out too early. The ranch has a wide range of wildlife, who have been here longer than we have, let's do our best to keep them from harm and out of the garbage.
Dawson Road maintenance will be cleaning our roads soon and working in both lanes of traffic. Slow down and let them safely do their job. They work hard keeping our roads in shape, but face a lot of challenges, such as staff shortages, so be patient.
The 108 Mile Ranch bylaws and Constitution have been revised and the much-needed makeover was completed this month after weeks of toil.
The 108 Ranch community membership vote on the final draft on Tuesday, May 27th, at 7 p.m. at the 108 Community Hall.
The draft will be posted on the 108 website as soon as the changes recommended on April 29th are incorporated. This was the second public consultation on the changes to the Constitution and Bylaws since the first meeting in February.
The Board is very pleased with the robust feedback it has received from the 108 Mile Ranch community association's membership.
Updates were needed on the 25-year-old Constitution and Bylaws to meet the needs of today’s society, particularly the deficiencies pointed out by legal advisors following the issue surrounding the rental of the community hall.
Mother’s Day Tea & Market – Saturday, May 10
The 108 Mile Community Hall will host its annual Mother’s Day Tea & Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May. 10. Bring mom out for a relaxing afternoon with homemade treats, artisan goods, and locally crafted gifts. Admission is free, and proceeds from tea sales support the 108 Mile Lions Club.
108 Mile Ranch Volunteer Cleanup Day – Sunday, May 18
It’s time to show our beautiful trails and green spaces some love. Join neighbours and friends at 10 a.m. at the 108 Heritage Site parking lot. Bags and gloves will be provided. Afterwards, enjoy a community BBQ courtesy of the 108 Greenbelt Commission.
Heritage Site Opens for the Season – Friday, May 16
The historic 108 Mile Heritage Site officially opens for the summer season! Explore the log buildings, blacksmith shop, and museum displays daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are still welcome to help with tours and gift shop operations—contact the Heritage Society to get involved.
108 Mile Lake Trail Run – Sunday, May 25
Lace up your runners for the annual Lake Trail Run, a 5K and 10K family-friendly event around the scenic 108 Mile Lake. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the race starting at 9. Pre-register online or sign up day-of at the 108 Resort. All ages and fitness levels welcome!
Ongoing Events
Craft & Chat every Tuesday at 1 p.m.
108 Mile Ranch Fire Department Practice Nights every Wednesday at 7 p.m.—new volunteers always welcome.
Heritage Site Farmers Market returns in late May, watch for updates on location and vendors.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun raises $6,018
The outdoor recreation committee (ORC) hosted their first fundraising event, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, on March 15, and what a day it was! Thanks to the incredible support from our amazing community, they raised $6,018 to kickstart our outdoor facility project.
A heartfelt thank-you to all the ladies who attended and to the many volunteers and local businesses who helped make it such a success. There are simply too many to name, and they wouldn’t want to miss anyone, so please visit the 108 website to see the full list of generous donors: www.108ranch.com/luncheon.
They're excited to share that we’ve begun surveying the area for the proposed covered outdoor facility, and we’ve launched a new fundraising campaign to help us take the next step: a geotechnical survey. If you’d like to contribute and get in on our free draw, please visit: www.108ranch.com/donations.
In other exciting news, the ORC has completed the installation of our beautiful new gazebo! Huge thanks to our hardworking volunteers, including the fellas from the 100 Mile Men’s Shed, for making it happen. We’re now fundraising to add tables, seating, and a BBQ to make this a welcoming space for families and friends to gather. You’ll find it on the west side of the building, built for the community, by the community.
To stay up to date on everything the ORC and RCA are working on, visit: www.108ranch.com/108-projects.
If you have an event you'd like to share in next month’s column, Email details to me at daividradcliffe@shaw.ca.
Enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the rain, walk your pets, support your neighbours, drive safe and see you around the lake!
