Town of Golden BC – At the June 3, 2025, Regular Open Council Meeting, Golden Community Economic Development Society (Golden CED) presented an annual review of its services and a funding request for the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Golden CED Presents Annual Update and Increased Funding Request to Council
Golden CED, an arm’s-length non-profit established in 2016, supports long-term community development by convening collaboration tables, facilitating investment attraction, and building cross-sectoral relationships. Their approach emphasizes listening to community needs, supporting existing organizations, and increasing overall capacity in Golden and Area A.
Key achievements from the past year included continued support for Early Childhood Education and Employment & Training collaboration tables, the launch of a Film Industry Development Table, and ongoing participation in community initiatives like the Golden Threads poverty reduction project and Age Friendly planning. Notable tools such as “Find it in Golden” and the new Commercial Listings platform helped connect residents, businesses, and investors.
The society also worked on housing initiatives, including progress on a 27-unit downtown affordable housing development and operational integration of the Purcell View Seniors Apartments.
Other highlights included a new Golden Welcome Guide (launching summer 2025), continued leadership in the Living Wage and rental data discussions, and engagement through Jane’s Walk and the Canyon to Confluence river stewardship project.
Golden CED secured $71,000 in external grant funding in 2024–25 and has further applications in progress.
For the upcoming fiscal year (September 2025 – August 2026), Golden CED is requesting $375,000 from the Economic Opportunity Fund—an increase of $90,000 over the previous year.
The organization explained that the increase is necessary to meet rising operational costs, expand staffing and contractor capacity, and enable long-term planning for complex projects like affordable housing. Golden CED emphasized that predictable, multi-year funding is essential to attract and retain qualified staff, take on high-impact work, and maintain momentum on community priorities. Future budgets, they noted, would be tied to this year’s funding level plus inflation.
Proposed changes to the Community Charter of British Columbia
A letter received from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, dated May 23, 2025, proposing potential changes to the community charter, where Local Government and First Nations relations are concerned.
• The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs is considering potential legislative amendments to the Community Charter.
• These proposed changes would expand the circumstances under which local government council meetings can be closed to the public.
• The specific aim of these amendments is to include circumstances related to Local Government-First Nation relations.
• The intention behind this is to support local governments in building relationships with First Nations, fostering government-to-government relationships, and advancing reconciliation.
• The Ministry is seeking feedback from the Town of Golden regarding these proposed amendments.
Local Food Matters pivots their Farm Hub Project (see article page 4)
Town of Golden releases 2024 Drinking Water Report
The Town of Golden has released its 2024 Drinking Water System Annual Report, confirming that residents continue to receive a safe, reliable supply of drinking water. Submitted to the Interior Health Authority as required under the Drinking Water Protection Act, the report outlines system performance, testing results, and infrastructure upgrades.
Golden’s water system includes four active production wells, five reservoirs, two booster stations, and a distribution network that supports four pressure zones and approximately 182 fire hydrants. In 2024, water consumption dipped slightly, down 0.6% from 2023, but the Maximum Day Demand rose by 8.6%, largely due to peak summer irrigation.
Rigorous water quality testing was carried out, with 230 samples analyzed—far exceeding the minimum requirement. Two samples from the Northeast Reservoir Complex tested positive for total coliforms but were quickly resolved with follow-up testing. Turbidity and chemical monitoring confirmed continued water safety across all sources.
Maintenance highlights included repairs to Well 2 and ongoing voltage issues at Well 5. Planning progressed on Well 7, which will likely incorporate continuous disinfection following a moderate vulnerability rating from its groundwater assessment. The Town also completed a system-wide leak detection program, resulting in a reduction in estimated water loss from 20% to 15%.
Improvements continued across the system, including updated emergency response plans, meter replacements, source water protection efforts, and SCADA system upgrades. No major breaks or emergency advisories were reported in 2024.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Town will focus on repairing identified leaks, advancing Well 7 design, and updating its asset management plans—continuing its commitment to maintaining high-quality drinking water for the community.
