By Cheryl Jahn

REAPS needs help to move

Jun 2, 2023 | 4:24 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Recycling & Environmental Action Planning Society, otherwise known as REAPS, is a busy organization

“We do reach out throughout the regional district,” explains Terri McClymont, Executive Director for REAPS. “So there is the demand for changing foot. So there’s food security, climate change, education. So we’re trying to reach all those gaps and try to encourage a lot in our community.”

But the compound REAPS used to call home looks like a gardening graveyard. That’s because the REAPS has to move to make way for a daycare next door.

The organization went before Council with a very pointed letter. It reads:

“Forced to vacate the space with very little notice at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park which we had occupied for more than 25 years, we had to continue delivering our educational and outreach events, while finding the time to devote to planning and obtaining funding for a replacement facility.”

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“We can’t stress enough the peril that this presented to our viability. Our facility represented a major investment of volunteer time and donated funds and materials and contained mature plantings. Replacing what had been built up over a quarter-century, on short notice, is not something that can be done easily by a small, volunteer-led society with only one full-time employee.”

Enter, the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society, who had some harsh words for the City.

“Considering what a great community service reaps is in so many ways to schools, to the community, to the environment, to not treat them respectfully after all those years and I think they’ve been in operation about 30 years, should be treated so disrespectfully,” says Linda Naess, President of the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society. “A couple hundred thousand dollars to support a community group seems to be an issue and for REAPS to have to go all the way to a City Council meeting to be recognized and treated properly. I just find it unconscionable.”

Members of the community have graciously donated lumber and recycled plastic to rebuild the beds, the Regional District of Fraser Fort George has donated compost and the list goes on.

The compound has been in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park for 25 years and leaving is bittersweet.

“Yeah, there were a few tears shed and I keep looking at my Linden tree over there. That’s going to get cut down eventually. Yeah, but it’s an opportunity to grow. It’s an opportunity to clean house. If anybody knows about moving, 27 years’ worth of stuff is a good time to call.”

During the last Council meeting, Council agreed to refer the matter to staff to consider options for supporting the organization.