Councillor Luke Strimbold suggested the interpretive centre building on Hwy. 16 should either be sold, or more clearly defined as an interpretive centre.
The building, owned by the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake, was previously intended to be an interpretive centre with First Nations involvement.
It was partly paid for with Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative grant funding, administered by Western Economic Diversification.
Because of this, the building has conditions on any future use, including the inability of the village to sell the property.
Tim Palmer past chief administrative officer for the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake said to Lakes District 亚洲天堂 in August last year that he had been contacted by Western Economic Diversification, who had informed him the building was not allowed to be sold under the conditions of the grant funding.
The conditions also require the building to be used within the guidelines of the original intent - that being an interpretive centre.
The building is currently home to the Lakes Artisan Cooperative, who have leased the building from the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake for the last year.
The lease agreement, which is now up for renewal, was brought up at a previous council meeting, however Coun. Strimbold requested more information on the structure of the Lakes Artisan Cooperative before making any firm decision on re-leasing the building. Councillor Strimbold said he didn't want to be seen as subsidizing any local businesses.
Councillors requested more information about cooperative associations be provided before they would make a decision. Last week the information was provided in a report by Stephanie Beerling, village deputy director of corporate services.
Beerling reported, "According to the B.C. Cooperative Association, a cooperative is an autonomous association of people united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs through a jointly owned enterprise."
She also reported that all profits from goods sold are provided to the member who made the goods and that no tax is charged on any of the items sold.
A recommendation was also made that the village enter into a one year rental agreement with the Lakes Artisan Cooperative. The building is rented to the cooperative for $500 per month including snow removal, electricity, natural gas costs, water sewer and garbage services.
The village is responsible for all maintenance to the parking lot and all capital repairs including broken windows.
The cooperative is responsible for any maintenance required to the interior of the building and they must also take measures to minimize electrical and heating costs.
Under the terms of the agreement the cooperative must also prepare and distribute tourist and local artisan promotional material, promote the local area and sell local artisan crafts and art work.
Councillor Strimbold said he still feels the village should bring the use of the building more in line with the original intent of an interpretive centre.
Mayor Bernice Magee said that time was of the essence to sign the lease as the existing lease had expired on Aug. 31, 2011.
She suggested council approve the proposed lease agreement and that village staff work with the cooperative over the next year to define the terms of the interpretive centre and bring the cooperative's operations more in line with expectations for an interpretive centre.
"We did originally advertise the building for rent [in 2010]. It is not a popular venue by any means, so it is good to have it used," she said.
Councillors unanimously agreed to lease the building to the Lakes Artisan Cooperative for a one year term.
