Rec centre concession and fire bylaw changes

Council authorized a five-year lease valued at $38,794.06 and changed the Highway 3 service boundary and simplify backyard fire pit permits

A Touch of Grace Kitchen Ltd. is set to become the new concession operator at the Sparwood Recreation Centre.

Council voted July 21 to authorize a lease with Donna-Marie McDonald, doing business as A Touch of Grace Kitchen Ltd., for the concession space at 367 Pine Avenue.

The five-year lease has a total value of $38,794.06 before GST and is scheduled to run from Aug. 15, 2026, to June 30, 2031.

The agreement can be executed after the District completes the statutory notification requirements set out in the Community Charter.

Director of Community Services Jenna Jensen said the existing concession operator stopped operating in May and gave notice that it would leave the space by July 31.

The District received one submission through a call for proposals held earlier this spring.

Jensen said several terms were clarified during negotiations.

Either party will be able to end the lease for any reason with 60 calendar days’ written notice.

The agreement also includes a 20 per cent rent reduction for July and August to account for lower patronage and reduced programming while the ice is out.

The lease defines a major amenity as the aquatic area, pool and hot tub, community hall, arena or curling rink.

Ice amenities will not be considered closed during the normal ice-out season while they remain available as dry-land spaces.

Jensen said McDonald agreed to the terms and was preparing to begin operating the concession.

The motion passed without opposition from the council members present.

Sparwood adopts fire services bylaw changes

The amendments change the Highway 3 service boundary and simplify backyard fire pit permits.

Sparwood council has adopted amendments to its fire services bylaw after giving the changes their first three readings earlier this month.

Council adopted Fire Services Amendment Bylaw 1375, 2026 without opposition July 21.

The amendments replace references to the former Fire Services Act with the current Fire Safety Act.

They also eliminate annual inspection and permit requirements for backyard fire pits while establishing a maximum fire pit diameter of one metre.

The changes allow controlled outside use of the District’s reserve fire apparatus and fire training centre.

Director of Fire Services Sheldon Tennant has said those provisions could support partnerships with other emergency response organizations and create opportunities for cost recovery.

The bylaw also changes the District’s fire service boundary along Highway 3 between the south end of Douglas Fir Road and the intersection of Michel Creek Road and Highway 3.

Tennant said the change will allow the District to seek cost recovery through Emergency Management BC when its fire department is tasked to respond to incidents in that area.

The District’s previous fire services bylaw was adopted in 2008.