NSAR moves forward with plans on North Shore Hall
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
Nelson Search and Rescue is now installed in the North Shore Hall and plans to add to the current structure to enhance the function of one of the busiest rescue teams in the province.
As the third busiest search and rescue team in BC, NSAR Society had been looking for a place to store equipment, to train and meet in order to improve their operations.
With the vote on NSAR becoming part of the regional district service having passed late last year, and the selection of the North Shore Hall as their headquarters now approved by the Regional District of Central Kootenay Area F North Shore residents, the society is looking even further afield, said Area F director Ron Mickel.
NSAR is proposing to build a five-car garage next to the hall on the property to store their equipment in, and use part of the hall’s basement for administrative purposes.
Once per month they would use the hall portion for training.
“There should be minimal disruption with the day-to-day usage of that hall,” Mickel said. “But we’re going to have to address that parking issue because it’s always been an issue and it’s going to be worse now.”
Nelson SAR will be funding the construction of the garage, said Mickel, not the RDCK nor the North Shore neighbourhood residents. NSAR has around $100,000 in funding through grants lined up to help with the construction, said Mickel.
The regional district had identified the North Shore Hall as a suitable location for Nelson SAR as the hall met zoning requirements, had the necessary meeting space and had space that could be developed.
The North Shore community’s goals were to: ensure that the hall remains a place for public gatherings; remove the taxation for the local service area that pays for North Shore hall; and improve the hall.
