The Creston Valley Wildlife Interpretive Centre education programs will start again this spring.
The centre was permanently closed in October due to lack of funding and health risks within the building. Now with funding help from the Columbia Basin Trust the education programs will be moved to portable buildings.
The Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre Society will take over management of the programs. Chair Jim Posynick says they’ll be working alongside the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Authority.
He says the two groups have similar goals.
The Columbia Basin Trust has pledged $295,000 over the next five years, $95,000 will be provided this year to cover transition costs and then $50,000 per year for the next four years.
Posynick says the funding will go towards a few things.
The wetlands area sees thousands of visitors every year including large groups of students. Posynick adds the re-opening of the centre has significant positive impacts on the valley’s economy.
