The following is a brief summary of selected items scheduled for discussion at the Town of Golden’s Regular Council meeting, as we are limited in space. It is not a complete account of the meeting package.
Council meets on Tuesdays, either at 1:15 or 7:00 p.m. The Golden Star goes to print on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
Residents who would like to review the agenda in detail can visit the Town of Golden’s website to download the full committee package and supporting documents ahead of the meeting.
• Youth mural camp proposed for downtown Golden
Kicking Horse Culture is seeking Town of Golden approval for a new youth mural project planned for this summer. The proposed mural would be installed on the wooden enclosure located between the Golden Library and Town Hall near Park Avenue and 9th Avenue South.
The four-day Youth Mural Camp would see about a dozen youth aged 12 to 18 work with local artist Chris Pecora to design and paint the mural as part of KHC’s visual arts programming.
According to the proposal, the mural would be painted on plywood panels and attached to the fencing structure. The installation is intended to remain in place for up to five years, with ongoing maintenance handled by Kicking Horse Culture.
Organizers say the project will provide youth with hands-on experience in public art while adding colour and vibrancy to a high-traffic downtown space.
• Golden preparing for 2026 UBCM Convention
Preparations are already underway for the 2026 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention, which will take place Sept. 14 to 18 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The provincial government has released its 2026 Provincial Appointment Book, outlining how local governments can request meetings with the Premier, cabinet ministers and provincial staff during the convention.
According to the guide, meetings with the Premier and cabinet ministers will be held in person during convention week, while meetings with ministry, agency, commission and corporation staff will take place virtually the week prior.
The appointment book also outlines the responsibilities of dozens of provincial ministries and agencies, helping municipalities identify which departments are best suited for local issues ranging from housing and transportation to wildfire mitigation, tourism and emergency preparedness.
UBCM conventions are often used by municipalities to advocate for funding, raise regional concerns and meet directly with provincial decision-makers.
• BC Hydro replacing aging poles on Alexander Drive
BC Hydro is preparing for a major infrastructure upgrade in Golden’s Alexander Drive neighbourhood this June, replacing nine distribution poles originally installed in 1961.
According to BC Hydro, recent inspections found structural decay in the aging poles, prompting the replacement project to maintain public safety and electrical reliability.
Construction is scheduled from June 22 to 26, with preparatory excavation work taking place the week prior. Residents along Alexander Drive can expect planned power outages from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the construction period.
BC Hydro says some residents will also be asked to temporarily vacate their homes for about five hours while crane crews remove and install poles near residential properties.
The utility says the temporary evacuations are required under WorkSafeBC and BC Hydro safety protocols during overhead lifting operations. Crews will provide door-to-door notifications during the work.
BC Hydro says residents have already begun receiving phone calls, emails and mailed notices about the project.
• Golden seniors centre reports growing participation
The Golden & Region Senior Citizens Society says membership and participation continue to grow at the Golden Senior Centre, with more than 263 members now registered for 2026. Approximately 60 per cent of members live within the Town of Golden, while 40 per cent come from Area A.
In its annual report to council, the society said a program coordinator position funded through grants over the past three years has significantly expanded activities and attendance at the centre.
The society recently secured a 2026/2027 Gaming Grant for its Seniors Enrichment and Support Program, helping continue a wide range of activities including bridge, bingo, pool, quilting, knitting, visual arts, fitness programs, yoga and social gatherings.
According to the report, about 280 people participate in activities weekly, with organizers noting many programs are now “overflowing,” and the parking lot is frequently full.
The society also highlighted partnerships with groups including Better at Home, Hospice, the Town of Golden, Area A and the Métis Society, while expressing appreciation for ongoing lease and grant support that helps seniors “age in place” within the community.
• Bylaw enforcement activity increases in the first quarter
The Town of Golden’s Corporate Services department says bylaw enforcement activity increased during the first quarter of 2026, with a continued focus on education and voluntary compliance.
According to a quarterly report presented to council, snow removal enforcement remained a major priority through the winter months. Bylaw officers conducted patrols to support Public Works snow clearing efforts, issuing warnings and fines to vehicles interfering with operations. Staff also worked with the RCMP during several Trans-Canada Highway closures that resulted in traffic issues on local service roads.
The report also notes that the Town adopted its new Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control bylaw during the first quarter. Efforts are now shifting toward public education, including information sessions with a certified dog trainer, enhanced signage, website updates and community patrols.
In total, bylaw officers issued 111 warnings and 44 tickets during the first three months of the year, collecting $1,740 in paid fines. Another 26 tickets remain outstanding.
The department opened 98 bylaw files during the quarter and closed 72. The Town also reported 131 licensed dogs and no impounded stray dogs or vehicle tows during the period.
Looking ahead, second-quarter priorities include animal control education, bear attractant enforcement, watering restrictions, short-term rental education, parking and illegal camping.
• Golden supports the regional forest management proposal
The Town of Golden and CSRD Area A are backing a proposed shift toward area-based forest management in British Columbia, calling it a better fit for local planning, sustainability and community values.
In a joint letter to Forests Minister Ravi Parmar regarding the “From Conflict to Care: BC’s Forest Future” proposal, Mayor Ron Oszust and Area A Director Karen Cathcart said the current volume-based forestry system makes it difficult to address wildlife protection, climate resilience and cumulative impacts at a regional level.
The letter also supports giving local governments and regional authorities greater access to forest data and a stronger role in forest management decisions.
Golden and Area A suggested the region could potentially serve as a pilot area for a regional forest authority model, although they noted additional long-term funding would be needed for local governments to take on expanded responsibilities.
The submission also emphasized the importance of collaboration with First Nations and supported independent oversight to improve transparency and public confidence in forestry decisions.
Local officials also raised concerns about BC Timber Sales, describing it as historically unresponsive to regional and community input.
• Golden calls for a long-term rural immigration plan
The Town of Golden and CSRD Area A are urging the Province to support stronger protections for temporary foreign workers and develop a long-term rural immigration strategy for British Columbia.
In a joint letter to Premier David Eby, Mayor Ron Oszust and Area A Director Karen Cathcart said rural communities like Golden rely heavily on temporary foreign workers in sectors including tourism, construction, childcare, health care and hospitality.
The letter follows a recent federal decision allowing rural employers to temporarily increase their Temporary Foreign Worker caps from 10 per cent to 15 per cent until March 2027. Local officials argued the measure does not go far enough because it appears to exclude spouses and children.
“This is not just a labour issue. It is a community and family issue,” the letter states.
Golden and Area A are asking the Province to support a minimum 24-month extension, include family members in any interim measures, temporarily remove caps for smaller rural employers, and work toward permanent residency pathways tailored to rural communities.
The letter argues rural communities are already facing staffing shortages and uncertainty, warning that losing workers could significantly impact essential local services and businesses.
• Golden joins call for tourism infrastructure funding
The Town of Golden has joined several resort municipalities across British Columbia in urging the provincial government to accelerate work on new tourism infrastructure funding tools.
In a joint letter from the Resort Community Collaborative (RCC), local governments expressed support for the province’s “Look West” strategy and Tourism Sector Action Plan, while arguing that stronger funding mechanisms are needed to support growing visitor numbers.
The letter says resort communities are facing increasing infrastructure and service pressures tied to tourism growth, and called for “flexible, transparent, and locally responsive funding tools” to help communities manage those impacts.
The RCC also described established resort communities as a “tariff-proof, export-ready, high-yield engine for provincial economic growth.”
Golden Mayor Ron Oszust signed the letter alongside mayors from Whistler, Fernie, Revelstoke, Kimberley, Tofino, Radium Hot Springs and several other tourism-based communities across the province.
• Golden backs Ebus regional service
The Town of Golden has formally expressed support for Ebus, describing the company as a vital transportation link for the community and broader region.
In a letter to Red Arrow/Ebus Director of Operations Glen Desjardine, Mayor Ron Oszust said reliable regional transportation is essential for residents accessing jobs, education and social connections outside the community.
The Town also praised Ebus for providing affordable and frequent scheduled service while contributing to local employment and economic development.
The letter highlighted the company’s Canadian-based customer service and ticketing operations, saying the service contributes to improved mobility, economic vitality and environmental sustainability in Golden.
• Town considering new broadband infrastructure agreement
The Town of Golden is preparing to enter into a 20-year infrastructure access agreement with Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation (CBBC) aimed at expanding fibre optic connectivity in the community and surrounding area.
Under the proposed agreement, CBBC would be permitted to install new fibre optic cable within existing Town-owned conduit running across the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge and through Spirit Square to the Columbia Basin Trust office.
According to the staff report, the Town’s fibre optic network was originally built in 2010 in partnership with Columbia Basin Trust to improve high-speed internet access for residents and businesses in Golden.
The new project is part of CBT’s “Connect the Basin” initiative and would help provide expanded fibre services to Area A residents and businesses.
Staff noted the agreement would not negatively impact the Town’s existing fibre network capacity and may free up additional space within the Town Hall point-of-presence facility.
In exchange for access, CBBC would pay the Town a one-time fee of $1,000 and replace a damaged service vault in Spirit Square, bringing the estimated total value of the agreement to between $6,000 and $10,000.
The report says improved broadband infrastructure supports council goals related to economic development and future-ready infrastructure for Golden and Area A.
• Town recommends sewer lining contract award
The Town of Golden is recommending a $151,073 contract award to Insituform Technologies for sanitary sewer rehabilitation work using Cast-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining technology.
According to a staff report, the project would repair aging sewer pipe segments identified through video inspections completed in 2024 and 2025. The work is intended to address structural defects and reduce groundwater infiltration into the sewer system.
CIPP lining allows pipes to be renewed internally without major excavation, helping extend the lifespan of sewer infrastructure while reducing maintenance and operational concerns.
The recommended work includes lining five pipe segments totalling approximately 465 linear metres, along with cleaning, inspections, grouting service connections and digital video records.
Four bids were received through the public tender process, with Insituform Technologies submitting the lowest compliant proposal.
The total recommended project budget, including contingency and contract administration, is estimated at $181,300. Staff are proposing reallocating up to $14,060 from the Annual Sewer System Upgrades budget if needed to cover the full cost.
Construction is expected to be substantially complete by Oct. 15. Residents affected by the lining work will receive direct notification, as temporary sewer service disruptions are expected during construction.
• Golden Airport could see improved instrument flight services
The Town of Golden is considering a proposal that would see NAV CANADA assume responsibility for all instrument approach procedures at the Golden Municipal Airport.
According to a staff report, the airport currently operates three instrument approach procedures used during poor visibility and low cloud conditions. Two are already maintained by NAV CANADA, while the Town currently pays an external aviation consultant to maintain a third procedure known as the RNAV (GNSS) B approach.
That arrangement is changing after the Town’s current consultant announced plans to retire at the end of 2026. Staff say NAV CANADA has now offered to assume responsibility for the remaining procedure free of charge, potentially saving the airport about $40,000 over five years.
Council is also being asked to support an application for up to $40,000 in Economic Opportunity Fund support to complete an Instrument Flight Procedures Feasibility Study.
The study would explore whether the airport could support improved instrument approaches and departures that would allow aircraft to land in lower visibility conditions, potentially improving reliability for medevac flights and year-round airport access.
The report notes that improved airport accessibility has long been identified as an economic development and public health priority for Golden.
• Rec Plex washroom project moving ahead
The Town of Golden is preparing to award a $292,850 construction contract to Shamrock Mountain Building for a new washroom and gazebo structure at Whitetooth Legacy Park near the Rec Plex.
The project forms part of the larger Whitetooth Legacy Park enhancements funded through a $400,000 Columbia Basin Trust Climate Adapted Community Spaces grant announced earlier this year.
According to the staff report, the new facility will include a year-round heated washroom, skating changeroom and covered gazebo space as part of broader park upgrades that also include a beginner skate and bike park and climate-resilient landscaping.
Two bids were received through the public procurement process, with Shamrock Mountain Building submitting the lower proposal.
Staff say construction is expected to begin in August once the new racquet court facility at Kicking Horse Mountain Park is complete, with work anticipated to wrap up by November 2026.
The total proposed budget for the contract, including contingency, is approximately $305,000.
