Radley Beach has recently received a makeover thanks to the volunteering efforts of Lakes District Maintenance (LDM).
As part of a province wide initiative, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the B.C. Road Builders Association, of which LDM are members, volunteered manpower, heavy equipment and materials to projects that would benefit B.C. communities.
According to Steve Gailing, LDM's operations manager, the criteria for choosing a project under the initiative included one that would not only benefit the entire community, but would also benefit everyone that visited the community.
"For example, a project such as crack sealing Eighth Avenue would not fit the criteria," he said.
Gailing said LDM approached the Village of Burns Lake with the offer of volunteering to complete a local project and asked them for any ideas.
"They suggested revamping Radley Beach.,” he said.
“I don't think they could have chosen a better project, Radley Beach suited the criteria perfectly.”
Gailing said that Radley Beach is not only a local community asset, but that it is used by visitors as well.
LDM volunteered four crew members, two trucks, a grader and a backhoe.
They worked for two days, hauling out and compacting old sand, replacing it with new sand and leveling the area off.
The result is a new, more enjoyable beach area for both residents and visitors to enjoy next spring and summer.
The new sand was donated by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure from their Kelway pit.
LDM chief executive officer Wendy Benyk said, "Lakes District Maintenance is always looking for ways to contribute to the community. We are pleased that we were able to partner with the Ministry of Transportation and the Village of Burns Lake on this project and we hope to work together on other community projects in the future."
Gailing said this is the first time the joint community initiative has been offered and while he said he is unsure if the initiative would be offered again, he did not rule out the possibility.
He said working on the project also helped to reaffirm LDM's stakeholder relationship with the village.
"We felt It was a really worthwhile project to be involved in. Radley Beach is such a well used area.”
He said, “We have also forged a good relationship with the Village of Burns Lake, which will be of benefit for future projects."
Sheryl Worthing, Village of Burns Lake chief administrative officer said, "The Village of Burns Lake is very grateful for the contribution made by LDM and the Ministry of Transportation.”
“The improvements to Radley Beach will benefit the entire community. Village staff are working hard to communicate and work closely with other organizations in the community and this is a good example of the benefits that are derived from positive working relationships."