RDCK Newsletter

October 2026 | Vol 2 No 3

2026 General Local Elections

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is holding the 2026 General Local Election for eligible voters in Electoral Areas A, B, C, E, G, H, J, and K on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Electoral Area Directors advocate for residents on the Regional Board and work collaboratively to make decisions about local and regional services.

If your community is Castlegar, Creston, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, New Denver, Salmo, Silverton, or Slocan, visit your municipal website for local election information and updates.

Pursuant to section 97 of the Local Government Act, the following persons have been declared as candidates in the 2026 General Local Election by Tom Dool, Chief Election Officer for the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK).

Office of Director of Electoral Area A

Forrest Demman

Garry Jackman

Office of Director of Electoral Area B

Roger Tierney

Danny Turner

Office of Director of Electoral Area C

Mike Martell

Kelly Vandenberghe

Office of Director of Electoral Area E

Erin Fitchett

Landon Veregin

Office of Director of Electoral Area G

Anna Bundschuh

Susan Chew

Nathen Rushforth

Office of Director of Electoral Area H

Jae Hamilton

Will Parker

Kevin Shaw

Office of Director of Electoral Area J

Henny Hanegraaf

Gordon Zaitsoff

Office of Director of Electoral Area K

Tina Knooihuizen

Teresa Weatherhead

Directors by Acclamation

Office of Director of Electoral Area D

Aimee Watson

Office of Director of Electoral Area F

Tom Newell

Office of Director of Electoral Area I

Chris Popoff

For more information on whether you are eligible to vote, advance voters registration, where and when you can vote, voting by mail, or any other questions, checkout elections section of the RDCK website.

Please visit, School District No. 8, No. 10 & No. 20 websites for their election information and voting polls.

rdck.ca/elections

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Reports & Highlights

Quarterly Reports

The RDCK produces quarterly reports four times a year to provide a condensed summary of active projects and initiatives within the RDCK. These reports provide elected officials, staff, and the public with updates on the progress, challenges, and priorities of these projects.

View the quarterly reports >

Board Highlights

The monthly highlights are a general overview of discussion items and major decisions from the RDCK Board Meeting. Click here for agendas and minutes from the monthly meetings.

Board Highlights - September 2026

Board Highlights - August 2026

Board Highlights - July 2026

Watch RDCK Board meetings on our YouTube channel >

Latest News

Two proponents advance to design-build proposal stage for Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is pleased to share that Scott Builders Inc. and Kalesnikoff Mass Timber Inc. have signed on to submit design-build proposals for the Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project.

Projects, Initiatives, and Public Engagement

Area D Community Planning Project

The What We Heard Engagement Report for Phase 1 of the Area D Community Planning project is now available.

This report brings together what was heard through engagement carried out summer 2026 to better understand different Area D communities’ needs and their level of desire for land use planning. Input was gathered through a community survey (143 responses) and 9 pop-up events held in Fletcher Creek, Woodbury, Ainsworth, Lardeau, Argenta, Meadow Creek, Schroeder Creek, Mirror Lake, and Kaslo (129 participants). Read the full report on our engage page to see what was shared. As well, visit our engage page to join the mailing list and stay up to date on this project.

Area D Community Planning Engagement Page >

Goat River Watershed Water Sustainability Project

The Goat River Watershed Water Sustainability Planning project had a busy summer. First, public engagement: we received 118 survey responses and welcomed 45 participants at two events. This feedback has been integrated into our understanding of shared values and desired state for the watershed. A survey summary report will be shared at the RDCK Board this fall.

Second, the Collective Conversations Working Group made up of staff from the RDCK, yaqan nuʔkiy, and six provincial divisions met multiple times. Staff are working to develop recommendations for water management in the watershed. RDCK staff leading this process aren't decision-makers; that authority sits with the RDCK Board. To stay closely engaged, the Creston Valley Service Committee (CVSC) directors and RDCK staff meet monthly alongside the Collective Conversations Working Group.

Third, a proponent was selected to lead the Hydraulic Connectivity Study, part of the RDCK's broader watershed planning work with yaqan nuʔkiy and the Province of BC. The study runs through 2028 and will provide technical data on how groundwater and surface water connect.

Working Group meetings wrap up in October, and more public engagement is planned for 2027.

Goat River Watershed Water Sustainability Planning Project Engagement Page >

RDCK Community Wildfire Awareness

This year marks 3,000 assessments delivered by RDCK staff since 2018 and has been a busy season for the FireSmart team! Watch this new video to learn about what reducing wildfire risk in our region looks like and how communities can get involved. There’s no better time than now.

Watch to learn about the growing complexity of wildfire risk, how fuel treatment works and why RDCK is promoting the Local FireSmart Collective Program to bring neighbours together in wildfire mitigation.

Thank you to the FireSmart BC for producing this video and for bringing the Local FireSmart Collective Program to our region.

Featuring:

Jessie Lay, Previous RDCK FireSmart Coordinator

Dan Seguin, Acting Regional Fire Chief

Morgan Bukowski, FireSmart Coordinator for the Village of Kaslo

Nancy Corrin, Resident and FireSmart Collective Advocate

Learn more at rdck.ca/firesmart

FireSmart, Intelli-feu and other associated Marks are trademarks of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Inc.

State of Climate Action 2025 Update

The State of Climate Action in the RDCK 2025 Update is now available. We invite RDCK residents to read the report to see how the RDCK is tracking, evaluating, and reporting on its climate action progress.

Highlights include :

36% increase in transit ridership,
1,683 tons of organic waste composted,
and 357 FireSmart home assessments delivered.

Read the full report here >

Upcoming Events

Oct 1 - 31

Yard and Garden Waste Seasonal Free Tipping

All Landfills and Transfer Stations.
Click here for more info on restrictions and load limits.

Oct 7

Advanced Local Election Voting Day

Click here for all advanced voting locations
Area H has 2 additional advanced voting stations on October 14

Oct 17

General Local Election Voting Day

Click here for all voting locations in the RDCK

Oct 24

Trash to Treasure

More Information

Holiday Hours & Closures

Offices, Landfills, Transfer Stations, and Gated Recycling Depots

October 12 - Thanksgiving CLOSED

November 11 - Remembrance Day CLOSED

Recreation Complexes

October 12 - Thanksgiving

OPEN 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

November 11 - Remembrance Day OPEN 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

﻿RDCK Newsletter