Osisko Gold has entered into a “Support and Benefits Agreement” with the District of Wells.
Mayor Ed Coleman says it is a three year deal worth 3 million dollars to the community.
“There is a $500,000 transfer to the Wildways High School project. There is a million for he District of Wells in 2026 for community improvements and support, and then in subsequent yeas there is $750,000 both in 2027-28 for the District of Wells for the same thing, community improvements and support.”
Coleman says the primary investment is to complete the renovations to the Wells Barkerville Community and Cultural Recreation Centre, which houses their school programming for K to 7.
“These funds will help us finish the renovations to that building. We’re 70% through renovations. It will also help with a contribution for a playground for that property. There are all sorts of other items like supports for the volunteer fire department and some of their needs, and various needs within our departments.”
Coleman says there is also a classroom for the Wildways grade 8 and up program in the building.
‘The Wildways High School is a partnership with various partners, including other School Districts and the distance learning school for the province. Currently it’s providing 8 to 10 grade level support in Wells, but it will also hybrid properly with the distance learning school and the high schools, the junior high school in Quesnel.”
Coleman says getting to this agreement was years in the making.
“It’s taken three years, understanding the project and understanding what approvals the project has got from the province, and then as time has gone by and more approvals have occurred and financial decisions have occurred, the negotiations have become more frequent, and certainly the last 3 months it’s been bi-weekly that we’re negotiating on what’s needed for this support and benefits agreement for the short term.”
Coleman says they will continue to have quarterly meetings with the company.
For its part, Osisko says the agreement reinforces Osisko’s commitment to acting as a responsible and proactive member of the community as the project advances.
It says it provides for meaningful social and economic benefits to the District and reflects the company’s commitment to addressing local interests and concerns.
Greg Perrins, Vice President of Sustainable Development, says “the District and its residents are key partners as we advance the Cariboo Gold Project and through this agreement, we remain committed to ensuring that the positive benefits of the project are felt locally and meaningfully.”
He went on to say that “we are focused on making a lasting, positive impact and look forward to continuing to work closely with the District as the project progresses.”
–Files by George Henderson, My Cariboo Now
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