CHETWYND -- Directors with the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) deliberated on whether to dissolve a long-standing funding model for Chetwynd TV.
The local broadcasting station known for a variety of content, but most recently for its popular live bingo broadcasts, has been on the air since March 2000.
In 1983, the PRRD began providing financial support to help Chetwynd and parts of Area E establish and maintain a TV broadcasting system, known as ‘Function 510.’ By 1997, another service called ‘Function 505’—Chetwynd and Area Scramblevision—was added. These services were managed through agreements with local societies, with the last agreements ending in 2005.
During today’s Electoral Area Directors Committee meeting, the directors recommended sending a letter to the district to support discontinuing the funding model.
“This goes beyond reaching agreement on whether or not to terminate the service, and that participants may reach agreement on other matters related to the termination, including with respect to the post-repeal use of service monies and assets,” ready the consideration report.
PRRD Area E Director Dan Rose mentioned that dissolving these functions would be the first step in determining the station’s future, also noting a correction with the initial report that states the station is ‘dormant’.
The District of Chetwynd will be able to take ownership of the assets held by Functions 505 and 510.
