September 2025 - Newsletter

The Mackenzie Community Arts Council has moved ahead with Phase Two of Caribou Place, thanks to funding support from Northern Development. The project has been approved for up to $164,372 through the Cultural Infrastructure program, helping to strengthen the community’s creative spaces and provide greater access to arts and culture.

In addition, support from the Business Façade Improvement program, also funded by Northern Development, has made it possible to feature murals painted by local artists on the building’s exterior. These murals not only beautify the downtown core, they also celebrate Mackenzie’s creative talent and cultural identity.

Together, these investments are transforming Caribou Place into a vibrant hub for the arts, supporting local creators and enriching the community for years to come.

This summer, Northern Development staff have been traveling across the region to connect with our 2025/26 Local and Indigenous Government Interns and the communities they serve. In July, the team visited Burns Lake, Telkwa, Smithers, Fraser Lake and Quesnel. By August, the visits expanded to Fort St. John, Pouce Coupe, Tumbler Ridge, Clinton, Logan Lake, Lillooet, Terrace and Prince Rupert.

Highlights included time in Logan Lake, where intern Krishanth Selvarathnam met with Felicia Magee (NDIT) and Laurel Grimm (Director of Corporate Affairs). In the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, intern Tatiana Block joined Wendy Okoye (NDIT), Meghan Bowles (Economic Development Officer), and Jordan Hammond (NDIT) to share updates and community experiences.

These visits provide valuable opportunities to support interns, strengthen local connections, and celebrate the important contributions they are making across Northern BC.

The Edge of the World Music Festival Society received a $5,000 grant through Northern Development’s Fabulous Festivals and Events program to support its 2024 festival. Held every August on Haida Gwaii, the three-day event is family-friendly and features a vibrant mix of genres, from funk and reggae to rock, country and EDM.

Marking its 25th anniversary, last year’s festival was a resounding success. A strong line-up of returning artists and local favourites drew one of the largest audiences in the event’s history. The Kidz Zone and workshops were especially popular, and a robust volunteer team helped the festival run smoothly. A standout moment came Saturday evening when local legend Chini Har took the stage, thrilling one of the biggest crowds the festival has ever seen.

The Fabulous Festivals and Events program reopens January 1, 2026. The program is first come, first served until funds are fully allocated.

In June 2022, the District of Logan Lake received a $100,000 grant through Northern Development’s Recreation Infrastructure program to support a major upgrade at the Community Recreation Centre: the complete replacement of its aging ice plant.

The previous system had reached the end of its design life and posed significant risks, including potential ammonia leaks and refrigerant exposure. Following an inspection in 2017, WorkSafeBC issued a compliance order that required immediate upgrades. By 2018, the District had addressed these issues through various means, including installing an emergency ventilation system with automated controls and upgrading ammonia relief lines. While these efforts addressed urgent safety requirements, it was determined that a full system replacement was the only long-term solution.

The project involves removing the old equipment entirely and installing a modern, efficient packaged system with refrigeration, brine circulation, electrical and HVAC components. The new ice plant eliminates safety concerns, reduces the risk of undetected leaks, and provides greater reliability in maintaining consistent ice conditions.

Beyond improving safety, this investment ensures that the Recreation Centre continues to serve as a cornerstone of community life in Logan Lake. The arena supports local hockey, figure skating, and public skating programs, while also providing opportunities for tournaments and sport tourism that bring visitors to the region.