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We are happy to announce that the 2026 Fall Recreation Guide is now available online. The City of Merritt would like to invite Nicola Valley residents to explore all the events, activities, and programs in this Recreation Guide that promote active lifestyles and build community connection. Some Highlights in the guide include: GYMNASTICS TINY TOTS SUNDAYS BALL HOCKEY UNPLUG AND PLAY MINDFUL STRETCH | MINDFUL CHAIR  YOGA CLASSES INTERMEDIATE TAI-CHI JUNIOR LIFEGUARD CLUB SWIMMING LESSONS FIRE SAFETY PROGRAMS SENIORS PROGRAMS ARTS PROGRAMS CITY + COMMUNITY EVENTS Register at merritt.ca/registration This recreation activity guide is brought to you by the City of Merritt Recreation Department. Print copies will soon be available. Notification will be sent out when printed guides can be picked up at the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre, Merritt Civic Centre, and City Hall.

Fire Permits Required Under Bylaw 2272, Fire Safety Regulation, item 13 Outdoor Fires, “No fire may be lit unless a Permit has been issued for the parcel of land.” Any resident wishing to have a campfire or other small confined fire on their property (not exceeding 0.5 metres in height and at least 4 meters from any structure or property line) require a permit from the City of Merritt. Please also note that Category 2 and 3 open fires are not allowed at any time. And fireworks are only permitted between October 16 and November 1. Also note that Fire Permits must be renewed annually, and expire at the end of the calendar year in December 31 each year.  The annual renewal rate for 2026 remains at $50.  The cost for an initial application and inspection remains at $150. City of Merritt Fire Permits are NOT VALID during a fire ban, which typically occurs late summer to early fall. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, January 16, 2026

CANADIAN SWIM PATROL CANADIAN SWIM PATROL(CSP) is a 3-level pre-Bronze award progression that delivers “work hard/play hard” training for skilled swimmers 8-12 years old. Canadian Swim Patrol is designed to take young swimmers beyond the learn-to-swim program and provide them with basic lifesaving skills. Candidates earn recognition for success in content modules (stickers) and for overall award achievement (badges). ROOKIE PATROL- SWIMMER 7 MONDAY – THURSDAY MARCH 16 – 20, 2026 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM $31.50 / 5 classes Swimmers continue developing front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Swimmers develop individual fitness to meet a timed 100m swim and 350m workout. Water proficiency skills include swimming with clothes, ready position, and feet first/head-first surface dives. Demonstrating the ability to conduct a primary assessment and calling EMS are included as first aid skills. Victim recognition and throwing assists are other key elements.

Bronze Medallion Bronze Medallion, as our flagship certification, teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Bronze Medallion challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on and around the water. Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for Assistant Lifeguard training in Bronze Cross. MONDAY – FRIDAY March 16 – 20, 2026 12:00pm – 4:30pm Cost: $183.50 (CLASS)  + $40 (TEXTBOOK) * Prerequisite:  Bronze Star OR 13+ years REGISTRATION

Summer Break Day Camps Ages 6–11 No school. No problem. Spend your break making new friends at our Summer Break Camps. Daily or weekly options are available. Our recreation leaders will have a day packed with fun games, crafts and activities! Items to pack: lunch, snacks, water bottle and swim gear. Camp Dates Week 1: July 6–10, 2026 Week 2: July 13–17, 2026 Week 3: July 20–24, 2026 Week 4: July 27–31, 2026 Week 5: August 4–7, 2026 Week 6: August 11–15, 2026 Week 7: August 17–21, 2026 Time: 9 AM–4 PM Location: Merritt Civic Centre Cost: $30/day or $130/week Register Online

FIRST AID PROGRAMS Emergency First Aid Emergency First Aid is a WorkSafeBC Occupational Level 1 equivalent and can be used in the workplace. Using hands-on training and practice, this basic first aid course will give you confidence to respond effectively in an emergency. You will learn lifesaving skills such as CPR/AED and obstructed airway procedures to respond to adult, child and infant emergencies. You will also learn to recognize and respond to respiratory and circulatory emergencies including asthma, allergic reactions, heart attack, stroke, and bleeding. SUNDAY March 1, 2026 9:00am – 5:30pm Merritt Civic Centre $105 REGISTRATION * Minimum 6 candidates CALL: 250.315.1050  |  EMAIL: recreation@merritt.ca

Become a paid-on-call Firefighter Join the Merritt Fire Rescue department as a Paid-on-call Firefighter! Join the camaraderie Get comprehensive training Earn an hourly compensation for training and response to emergencies. Participate in community events Make a difference Learn about our Core Values: I.M.P.R.E.S.S. Integrity Mentoring People Response Empathy Service Safety

Every organization that conducts business within the boundaries of the City of Merritt, including home-based operations and transient operators like couriers, are required to maintain a current business licence. Business licences are valid, typically from the first day of the calendar year to the last day of the year, and must be renewed every year. If you renew your business licence before December 31, you will receive a 10% discount off the $150 business licence fee and your discounted rate would be $135. If you renew your business licence between January 1 and March 1, you will pay the standard $150 renewal rate. If you fail to renew your licence before March 1, a 20% fine will be added, requiring you to pay an increased rate of $180. If you obtain a new business licence in the middle of the year, it would be prorated.  For example, a licence obtained in July would be $90. Businesses operating without a licence are subject to penalties. Business Licence Regular Fee:  $150 DUE MARCH 1, 2026 When you renew your business licence, please inform us of any changes, such as a change of address/location, change of ownership/name, property renovations, etc. If, for example, you made changes to your property, you may require an inspection. Also please ensure we have your website address and email and indicate if you would like your business information linked on the City’s website. Licence change requests, as well as new applications, can be submitted on the Business Licence Application Form.

Proposed Temporary Use Permit Notice is hereby given that pursuant to section 494 of the Local Government Act, the following proposed Temporary Use Permit Application will be presented to the City of Merritt Council for consideration at the Regular Meeting of the Council scheduled on March 10, 2026. Temporary Use Permit ApplicationTUP 2026-001 Address: 1326 Voght Street Applicant: Melanie Griffiths | Ferals Furever Loved Purpose: To permit the use of Animal Boarding for Rescue Cats Additional Information The property is currently zoned for R1 – Low Density Residential. The proposed use of the property is for Animal Boarding, as per Zoning Bylaw 2284, 2020, for a temporary period. The intent is to rescue and hold cats for a short period until their vaccination, deworming and microchipping. After which, the animals go to the Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) and are adopted. Provide Input Input is welcomed at the Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 6:00 pm. Speak in person by signing up at the meeting, or by providing a written submission to the Corporate Officer at info@merritt.ca prior to noon, March 6, 2026, or by mail to the Corporate Officer, City of Merritt, PO Box 189, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8, to be received before the conclusion of the meeting. Please note that Council will not receive further submissions from the public concerning this application after the conclusion of the public meeting. It is the responsibility of the submitter to ensure that materials are received prior to the close of the public meeting. More Information A copy of the proposed Temporary Use Permit application may be viewed Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm at City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC, from February 26, 2026 until March 10, 2026, or online at www.merritt.ca.