The following summary highlights several key items scheduled for discussion at the April 21 Regular Open Council meeting. It is intended as a brief overview of the agenda before council.
Because The Golden Star goes to print prior to the Council meeting, we can only highlight the items we believe are relevant to our readers.
Residents interested in the full details, including staff reports and supporting documents, can review the complete agenda package on the Town of Golden’s website.
• Landfill plan update outlines future of Golden site
The future of Golden’s landfill was back in focus this week, as the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) presented an update tied to its long-term Solid Waste Management Plan.
The plan itself is a provincially required document, reviewed roughly every 10 years, with the current update expected to be finalized and submitted in 2026.
What’s being proposed
A key component of the presentation was an updated Design, Operation and Closure Plan (DOCP) for the Golden landfill, submitted in December 2025.
The plan outlines a phased approach:
• Phase 1 closure of part of the existing landfill is targeted for 2026–27
• Phase 2 would allow for an additional 8 to 10 years of landfilling
• Longer-term options include engineered expansion phases that could extend landfill use by 15 to 20 years, or alternatively, transitioning the site into a transfer station
Big picture options
The CSRD is also weighing broader long-term solutions, including:
• Developing a new landfill site
• Building a transfer station
• Hauling waste elsewhere within the region, such as to Revelstoke
• Or continuing to invest in the existing Golden site
Waste trends and operations
Data presented shows that while total waste handled at the site has increased in recent years, a significant portion is being diverted rather than landfilled, reflecting ongoing recycling and waste reduction efforts.
Locally, the CSRD highlighted several initiatives tied to Golden’s waste system, including food waste diversion, mattress recycling, and seasonal programs like Kickin’ Compost.
For now, it’s largely “business as usual” while the plan works its way through approvals, including review by the province and future budget decisions.
• Draft OCP heads to next phase as engagement continues
Golden’s long-awaited Official Community Plan (OCP) update is moving into its final stages, with Council receiving a detailed look at the draft document and the next round of public engagement.
The OCP is the Town’s highest-level planning document, guiding decisions on growth, housing, infrastructure, and land use for years to come.
Where the process stands
The project is now in the draft and engagement phase, following earlier work that included a community profile, initial public input, and a first “What We Heard” report.
A second round of engagement is now underway, giving residents another opportunity to weigh in before the plan is finalized.
What’s changing in the draft
The updated OCP focuses on making the document more practical and easier to use, while aligning with new provincial requirements, particularly around housing.
Key changes include:
• Updated policies to reflect provincial housing legislation
• Simplified land use designations, including clearer categories such as residential, mixed-use, industrial and agricultural
• Improved structure and navigation to make the plan more accessible
• Streamlined development permit areas (DPAs), including a new wildfire interface DPA
The draft also reinforces priorities such as housing affordability, transportation, climate resilience, and community wellbeing.
Community input is still encouraged
Engagement efforts have included open houses, surveys, community conversations, and outreach events across town, with additional feedback opportunities continuing this spring.
A second “What We Heard” report is expected in mid-May.
The timeline is moving quickly:
• Council readings are scheduled for May
• A public hearing is planned for June
• Final adoption could come as early as July, depending on the process
A zoning bylaw update will follow, translating the OCP’s broad vision into specific regulations.
• Golden Food Bank highlights growing demand, local partnerships
The Golden Food Bank says demand for its services remains high, as it continues to expand programs and partnerships aimed at improving food security across the community.
Executive Director Monica De presented an update to Council this week, outlining how recent funding and initiatives are supporting both immediate needs and longer-term food resilience.
Funding supports local food access
The Food Bank received $30,000 through the Economic Opportunity Fund, with funding directed toward local food procurement, staffing for its meal kit program, and administration.
A key focus has been sourcing food locally, with partnerships now in place with 10 local producers, helping support both residents and the regional food economy.
Demand remains significant
From October 2025 to March 2026:
• 1,428 food hampers were distributed
• An average of 278 individuals per month accessed services
The organization noted that rising living costs continue to drive demand, with many working residents still struggling to make ends meet.
Expanding programs beyond traditional food bank use
• The Food Bank’s Affordable Meal Kit program continues to grow, offering pre-packaged ingredients and recipes using local food.
• 424 meal kits were sold over six months
• The program has proven especially popular with seniors and single-person households
Importantly, the program is reaching residents who may not typically access food banks, helping reduce stigma and build food literacy.
Building long-term food security
Additional initiatives include:
• A Tool Lending Library to help residents preserve food
• A community garden, now fully subscribed with 12 plots for the 2026 season
• Plans to add a freeze dryer to reduce food waste and extend storage capacity
The Food Bank also recently achieved Food Banks Canada accreditation, meeting national standards across governance, operations, and client care.
Partnerships remain central to the Food Bank’s approach, including collaboration with Local Food Matters, Better at Home, and local grocery stores to expand access to fresh and recovered food.
• Forestry group seeks Town endorsement of provincial campaign
A coalition of forestry organizations is asking the Town of Golden to formally endorse a new province-wide initiative aimed at strengthening B.C.’s forest sector.
Council received a presentation and request for support for the “Forestry is a Solution” campaign, launched earlier this year at the BC Natural Resources Forum.
What the campaign is about
The initiative is backed by a broad coalition of industry groups and advocates, and is intended to highlight the role forestry plays in communities across British Columbia.
The campaign positions forestry as a key part of addressing several major challenges, including:
• Providing materials for affordable housing
• Supporting jobs and local economies
• Reducing wildfire risk through forest management
• Contributing to public services through resource revenue
• Supporting climate goals through carbon storage in wood products
What Council is being asked to do
The request to the Town includes three main actions:
• Officially endorse the “Forestry is a Solution” campaign
• Encourage residents to sign a petition and contact provincial officials
• Share information about the initiative through municipal communication channels
The campaign has set a target of collecting 5,000 signatures province-wide.
Key policy priorities
As part of the initiative, the coalition is calling on government to take action in four areas:
• Speeding up permits and approvals for access to timber
• Improving competitiveness and cost certainty
• Reforming BC Timber Sales
• Supporting First Nations partnerships and revenue sharing
Broader forestry discussion
The presentation also ties into ongoing provincial conversations about the future of forestry, including recommendations from the Provincial Forestry Advisory Council calling for a shift toward area-based forest management and more regional decision-making.
• Chamber urges Town to support rural immigration advocacy
The Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce is asking the Town of Golden to support a call for changes to immigration policy affecting rural communities.
In a letter to Council, the Chamber requested that the Town write to the Province outlining the need for family-inclusive interim measures and a long-term rural immigration strategy.
Concerns from local businesses
The request highlights ongoing concerns from Golden’s business community, particularly in the hospitality sector, where changes to federal immigration policies are creating uncertainty for employers and workers.
The Chamber notes it has been advocating on the issue for over a year, and believes formal backing from the Town would help strengthen the message.
Focus on families and stability
At the core of the request is concern over the impact of Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) policies on families and rural labour markets.
The Chamber points to the need for:
• Interim measures that include spouses and children, not just workers
• Greater stability for employers relying on skilled staff
• A long-term immigration plan that reflects the realities of rural communities
The letter references a similar request from the District of Sechelt as a potential template for Golden to follow.
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Next steps
Council is being asked to consider sending a letter to Premier David Eby, with copies to federal ministers and local representatives, to advocate for both immediate relief measures and a more permanent solution.
Why this matters
Golden’s labour market is tight, and many local businesses rely on international workers to stay open and maintain services.
Unlike larger centres, rural communities often have limited local labour pools, meaning even the loss of a small number of workers can have an outsized impact.
For sectors like hospitality, tourism, and care services, staffing challenges can quickly translate into reduced hours, fewer services, or lost economic activity.
The Chamber’s request is essentially about stability—keeping workers, keeping families together, and giving businesses enough certainty to plan ahead in a community where replacing staff isn’t easy.
• Wildsight raises concerns over GORMA trail proposal
Wildsight Golden is voicing strong concerns about proposed expansion plans tied to the Golden Off-Road Motorcycle Association (GORMA), while also expressing support for maintaining the existing motocross track at Reflection Lake.
In a letter to Council, the organization said it supports keeping motorized activity within the already disturbed Reflection Lake area, but opposes plans to expand into the West Bench.
Concerns over expansion into the West Bench
At the centre of the issue is GORMA’s proposal to develop a large motorized trail network, estimated at roughly 100 kilometres, in the West Bench area north of Golden.
Wildsight argues that expanding into this area could increase environmental risks, particularly in sensitive wildlife corridors and wetland ecosystems.
The organization points to potential impacts on:
• Species at risk, including grizzly bears, amphibians, bats, and migratory birds
• Wetlands and riparian areas, which are vulnerable to disturbance
• Wildlife movement corridors critical to regional biodiversity
Preference for existing disturbed areas
Wildsight suggests that if additional recreation capacity is needed, development should be focused in areas that are already disturbed or designated for motorized use, such as Mount 7 or Mountain Shadows.
The group also raised concerns about cumulative impacts, enforcement challenges, and the potential spread of invasive species linked to increased motorized access.
Community identity and planning questions
The letter frames the issue as part of a broader conversation about Golden’s identity as a destination for sustainable, low-impact recreation, and whether large-scale motorized expansion aligns with that direction.
Wildsight also noted that existing planning documents, including the Area A Trails Strategy and the Golden Backcountry Recreation Access Plan, may not fully reflect current environmental data or recreation pressures.
Call for broader consultation
Wildsight is calling for more comprehensive public consultation before any decisions are made, saying the scale of the proposal warrants wider community input.
If the project proceeds
While opposing the proposal, the organization said it would be open to working collaboratively on mitigation measures or restoration efforts if the project moves forward.
Why this matters to the community
This is one of those issues where two community values are colliding —recreation access and environmental protection.
Motorized recreation has a long history in Golden and a strong user base, but so does the community’s reputation for low-impact, nature-based tourism.
What happens next will likely come down to how decision-makers balance those interests, and how much weight is given to environmental concerns versus recreation demand.
Either way, it’s the kind of file that doesn’t go away quietly—and one that will likely see more debate before any final decision is made.
• Council introduces monthly resolution tracking update
Golden Council is introducing a new monthly reporting tool aimed at improving transparency and keeping both Council and the public informed on the progress of decisions.
A report presented this week outlines a Council Resolution Tracker, which will be updated at the first Council meeting of each month. While the tracker has been in place for some time, it will now be highlighted at the first Council meeting each month.
How it works
The tracker categorizes each resolution into three stages:
• Assigned – action has not yet started
• Active – work is underway
• Achieved – completed and finalized
Resolutions are listed from newest to oldest, and once completed, they will be removed from the report after appearing one final time as “achieved.”
Snapshot of current activity
As of mid-April, the tracker shows a mix of completed, ongoing, and newly assigned items across a wide range of municipal work.
Recently completed (“achieved”) items include:
• Finalizing a fund agreement transfer to Kicking Horse Culture
• Executing a licence of occupation agreement with GORMA
• Sending several letters of support on behalf of Council
Meanwhile, a number of high-profile files remain active, including:
• Ongoing work on the 2026–2030 financial plan and budget
• Planning and design work tied to Well 7 and infrastructure upgrades
• Continued progress on Whitetooth Legacy Park enhancements
Looking ahead
Staff say the goal of the tracker is to provide a clearer picture of how Council decisions move from approval to implementation, and to ensure ongoing accountability.
An important tool
Council makes dozens of decisions every year, but it’s not always clear what happens after the vote.
This tracker is a simple idea, but a useful one. It gives both Council and the public a way to see which priorities are moving forward, which are still in progress, and which haven’t started yet.
In a time when major files like budgets, infrastructure, and development projects are all in motion, that kind of visibility can go a long way.
• Annual report confirms high-quality drinking water in Golden
Golden’s drinking water system continued to deliver safe and high-quality water throughout 2025, according to the Town’s latest Annual Drinking Water Report presented to Council.
The report, required each year by Interior Health, provides a comprehensive look at water quality, system performance, and ongoing infrastructure work.
Water quality remains strong
Overall, the report found that water quality in Golden was excellent during the 2025 reporting period.
• More than 260 water samples were tested for bacteria
• Only one sample showed total coliform, with follow-up tests confirming the system was safe
• No water quality issues required public notification
The Town also exceeded provincial testing requirements, conducting significantly more sampling than the minimum standard.
System capacity and usage
Golden’s water system relies on four groundwater wells, supported by reservoirs and booster stations across the community.
In 2025:
• Total water consumption increased slightly (2.4%)
• Maximum day demand dropped by 14.4%, suggesting lower peak strain on the system
Residential use continues to account for the largest share of water demand.
Maintenance and upgrades
The Town completed a range of maintenance and improvement work over the past year, including:
• Ongoing planning for Well 7 construction
• Replacement of pumps and equipment at key facilities
• Continued upgrades to the SCADA monitoring system
• Leak detection work, with no water main breaks reported in 2025
Several major planning documents were also updated, including the Town’s Integrated Water Strategy and Source Water Protection Plan.
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Looking ahead
Key priorities for 2026 include:
• Advancing Well 7 construction
• Continuing leak detection and water conservation efforts
• Expanding the cross-connection control program
• Ongoing public education around water use and protection
Drinking water reports don’t always grab headlines, but they’re one of the clearest indicators of how well a community’s core infrastructure is performing.
In Golden’s case, the takeaway is straightforward: the system is working, and working well.
At the same time, the steady push toward upgrades and long-term planning reflects a bigger reality—keeping water safe and reliable doesn’t happen by accident. It requires ongoing investment, especially as the community grows and climate pressures evolve.
• Aquatic study contract awarded to explore the future of pool services
The Town of Golden is moving ahead with a long-anticipated review of local aquatic facilities, awarding a contract to begin an options study on the future of swimming services in the community.
Council has been asked to award the contract to Carscadden Stokes McDonald Architects Inc., with the work to be completed within a $150,000 study budget.
Competitive process
The study follows a structured procurement process launched earlier this year.
• An Expression of Interest was issued in January
• 11 proposals** were received
• Three firms were shortlisted and invited to present
• A Council-appointed select committee reviewed and scored submissions before making its recommendation
What the study will look at
The aquatic services study is expected to explore a range of options for Golden, including:
• Upgrades to the existing outdoor pool
• Potential expansion of services
• Cost comparisons for new outdoor and/or indoor facilities
The work will include architectural and engineering analysis, along with high-level cost estimates to help guide future decisions.
Community input to be part of the process
As part of the project scope, the consultant will be required to:
• Present findings to Council
• Host at least one public engagement event
The goal is to produce a final report that helps shape the long-term direction of aquatic services in Golden.
Funding approach
The Town plans to seek funding through the Economic Opportunity Fund (EOF) to cover the full project cost, including:
• $150,000 for the consultant study
• $50,000 in staff time
Why this matters
This is one of those files that’s been simmering in the background for a while.
Golden’s outdoor pool has long been a valued community asset, but questions around capacity, seasonality, and long-term viability aren’t going away.
This study doesn’t make any decisions on its own, but it sets the stage for them. Whether the future is upgrades, expansion, or something more ambitious, this is the first real step toward answering a question a lot of people in town have been asking:
What should aquatic services in Golden look like going forward?
