Skip to content

Ground Search and Rescue receives increased operating grant

Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue received a 100 per cent increase in the annual operating grant from the CVRD.

Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue sought and gratefully received a 100 per cent increase in the annual operating grant that it receives from the Comox Valley Regional District.

“The annual operating grant represents the only fixed, stable income the team receives on an annual basis," stated CVGSAR president Paul Berry.

"The increase to our operating grant to $30,000 annually will allow CVGSAR to double the amount of leased space at our Moray Avenue base of operations allowing all of our emergency equipment to at long last, be housed indoors in one central location and to cover the majority of our fixed costs … phone, hydro, water."

For the past 20 years, CVGSAR has shared leased space with the local Emergency Program at 3001 Moray Ave. in Courtenay.

While this co-operative arrangement will continue in the larger facility, CVGSAR will occupy the largest percentage of the facility for vehicle and equipment storage.

A new regional emergency operations centre/classroom space is also central to the new facility vision as is operational storage and office space for all emergency program teams.

A building committee has been formed to finalize plans for the reorganization and renovation of the existing site. Plans include opening cinder brick walls to allow drive through vehicle bays, removal of the existing mezzanine, creation of a new communications center opposite the Emergency Operations Centre, and renovated office space.

CVGSAR requires expertise in electrical, framing, cinderblock construction and overhead doors.

CVGSAR is seeking qualified trades men and women as well a structural engineer willing to donate their time and expertise in the planning and completion of this project over the next few months.

If you are interested and willing to assist, please contact CVGSAR president Paul Berry at twoberrys@shaw.ca or 250-338-5217.

— Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue