A financial feasibility study for a new agriculture centre in Quesnel was presented to the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee last night.
The idea is that it would encourage the retention, expansion and development of agri-business and farms in the area.
The study was coordinated by the Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation and estimates the start-up cost at 32 thousand dollars with an annual budget of around 190-thousand dollars.
Some of that money would have to come from local government.
Quesnel City Councillor Ron Paull wanted to know how much.
Economic Development Officer Amy Reid said the consultant suggested that some of the money come from membership fees, hosting events and grants…
“But that would only cover 42 percent of the cost. The remainder would come from the CRD or the City of Quesnel.`
Reid noted that private partnerships would be another possibility.
The preferred location of an agriculture centre, according to the study, would be the College of New Caledonia because of the access to greenhouses, land space, and proximity to Alex Fraser Park.
The Joint Planning Committee simply received the information with the intention for further consultation.