The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has provided information related to its services and facilities in light of COVID-19, or the coronavirus.
Community Halls
Health officials have issued a directive regarding public gatherings to say that gatherings of 50 or more should be cancelled. The district is contacting those who have events booked in the facilities to ensure they are aware of the directive to cancel. Status of events with less than 50 attendees will be up to the discretion of event organizers. Facilities will remain open but that is subject to change.
Recreation Facilities
Ice in both the Robson Valley Recreation Centre in McBride and the Canoe Valley Recreation Centre in Valemount was removed over the weekend as part of scheduled seasonal maintenance. As part of that seasonal maintenance, both facilities are undergoing a deep cleaning in addition to daily cleaning. Heavily utilized public areas including the Fit Pit in the Robson Valley Recreation Centre and the Exercise Room in the Canoe Valley Recreation Centre will have increased daily cleaning. Neither of these areas have capacity for 50 or more people.
RDFFG Corporate Office
The RDFFG Corporate Office remains open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The district is asking people to avoid coming into the office unless necessary. People are encouraged to phone in with inquiries at 250-960-4400 or 1-800-667-1959 or visit the Regional District’s website at www.rdffg.bc.ca.
Financial Services
To reduce the need to come to the RDFFG office for either accounts payable or receivable, the regional district encourages vendors and account holders to utilize online options.
For those with accounts with the RDFFG or those making utility payments, information is available on its website at http://www.rdffg.bc.ca/services/financial/accounts-receivable about payment options
Vendors are encouraged to complete and submit an EFT application available at http://www.rdffg.bc.ca/services/financial/accounts-payable to ensure payment is received without undue delays. Invoices should be sent in PDF format to financialservices@rdffg.bc.ca
Landfills and Transfer Stations
There have been no changes to hours or services at the Regional District’s landfills and transfer stations. For those residents serviced by curbside garbage and recycling collection, continue to utilize these services for disposal of your household waste and reduce unnecessary trips to landfills or transfer stations. The public is reminded to continue to adopt waste reduction and recycling practices to reduce the pressure on those facilities.
Building Permits and Inspections
People looking to apply for a building permit or schedule a building inspection are asked to call ahead to the regional district office at 250-960-4400 or 1-800-667-1959 to schedule a time. Note for the health and safety of homeowners and staff, heating unit inspections on existing homes are suspended. Homeowners are asked to supply installation confirmation from a certified WETT installer.
Land Use/ Planning Services
People looking for land use (zoning) information are asked to call into the regional district office at 250-960-4400 or 1-800-667-1959 to speak to a planner. Alternatively, the public can access an online mapping system on the regional district’s website at www.rdffg.bc.ca
March 19 Board of Directors Meeting
The regular board of directors meeting scheduled for March 19 is proceeding. Committee meetings and other sessions that were scheduled in the morning have been cancelled.
The regional district is asking the public to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Visitors to all Regional District facilities are asked the following:
• Refrain from accessing facilities if you are unwell or have traveled outside of Canada within the last 14 days
• Practice social distancing by keeping six feet away from staff and other visitors where possible
• Avoid paying any fees or charges in cash where other options exist
• Reduce in-person visits to facilities if it’s non-essential or if your inquiry can be handled through a phone call to 250-960-4400 or 1-800-667-1959 (within BC) or visiting the Regional District’s website at www.rdffg.bc.ca
The situation with COVID-19 is unprecedented and is evolving every day. The regional district will continue to follow directions from provincial and federal authorities and health agencies.
In the meantime, the public is reminded to be vigilant in protecting themselves and their family from the spread of COVID-19 and follow the advice from the BC Centre for Disease Control. Wash your hands often with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoid others who are unwell, and stay home when you are sick. Heed the advice and direction set out by the Provincial Health Officer for additional precautionary measures.
Further information about COVID-19 can be found at: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19