An expert will be coming in this week to take a look at the concrete flume in downtown Kimberley.

It was announced at the last Council meeting that the flume, built in 1956 to control flood waters, is in need of replacement.

It is currently being shored up in spots along the creek with metal poles. The worry is that if one concrete slab falls, the rest would quickly follow, creating a flood risk.

City staff embarked on a search for funding as soon as the condition of the flume was noted, however, no source has been located as yet.

"We haven't identified any funding yet," said Mayor Jim Ogilvie. "Money is scarce right now and nobody is running forward saying here's the money.

"We can't start if we have no access to money."

There is money, which Council authorized last week, to do a full study of the flume and come up with a plan for replacement, and Ogilvie say the expert coming in this week will help them assess the situation properly.

"We are going to have to find innovative ways to go ahead," the Mayor said. "We did do a lot to pay down our debt in the pre-Cominco closing days. We're in good shape, but time lines are a problem. If we have to have a referendum on borrowing there's a waiting period, and then your building season is gone."