March 5
Photo credit: KR Tourism
One definite marketing success at the recently completed Vancouver 2010 Olympics was BC Street at Richmond’s O Zone. Volunteers who manned the Kootenay Rockies display booth estimate that over 2,000 visitors a day came by and many picked up brochures and marketing material. As one excited volunteer said, “Prepare for the visitors, Kootenay folks.”
The $70,000 – $80,000 budget for the display was shared by the various regional districts, municipalities, Columbia Basin Trust and Kootenay Rockies Tourism. Courtney Magro, a BC Street Volunteer and one of the co-ordinators added, “BC Street has been amazing success, just like the Olympics themselves. I’ve met so many interesting people. It’s been such fun promoting the fabulous Kootenay region I proudly call home. Bravo Canada for all we’ve achieved! Here’s to living in the Best Place on Earth and here’s to winning Olympic Gold—14 times.”
March 4
Source and Photo: Fernie Chamber of Commerce
In 2009 the Fernie Chamber of Commerce saw 35 new members join the Chamber. Already in 2010 been 8 new members have joined the Chamber.
New Members in 2009:
Bisaro Woodworking
East Kootenay Stoneworks
McDonald Ranch & Lumber Ltd
Cincott Farms Organic Market
Mercier Excavating
Two Owls Collect Design
Mountain Shores Development Corp
The Healing Collective
Pacific Coastal Airlines
Agri-Green Biodiesel
Eco Dogs Grooming
AK Maintenance Services
Tourism Kimberley
Fernie Physiotherapy (new Owners)
Backhoe King Services
Purely Maintenance
Easy Cruiser Inc
Bluerock Engineering Ltd
Evinco Holdings Ltd
Hospitality Associates – USA
Books Anew
Dano’s Septic Services
Recreational Services
Livery Home
Photography
Old Nurses Residence B&B
Homeopathica
Fernie Childcare Society
Loaf Bakery
Living Truth Yoga & Traditional Thai
Massage
Cinnamon Bear Lodge B&B
Sears
Movement Matters Rehabilitation
Dr. A.M. Kahane
Trico Developments Corp
Cathy Smith Clark
New Members in 2010:
Snow Valley Guiding Ltd
Beavertail Lodge B&B
Kootenay Sales and Marketing
Wolfe Builders
Fernie Real Estate (New Owner)
Lodgecraft Home Furnishings
Bunches
Simply Bamboo
March 3
Panorama Mountain Village Inc. completes the deal to acquire leading British Columbia mountain resort.
Panorama Mountain Village Inc. (Panorama Inc.) announced today that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Panorama Mountain Village from Intrawest and is ready to begin developing Panorama into one of the best family-focused mountain resorts in Canada.
The transaction includes the resort’s on-mountain and Nordic ski operations, a 50 percent ownership position in Greywolf Golf Course, all of Intrawest’s commercial operations and lodging units in the village, and the land available for real estate development.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Rick Jensen said that the new owners have vast experience in resort and property development, and will work with all stakeholders to bring renewed energy to Panorama Mountain Village. “Our diverse group of investors is committed to transforming Panorama into a true four-season family-focused destination,” Mr. Jensen explained. “Most of us are local homeowners in Panorama and are passionate about creating a long-term sustainable future for the resort.”
Panorama Inc. will immediately focus on improving guest experiences and enhancing village dining offerings. Plans also include expansion of the resort’s novice terrain with the addition of a new chairlift, and the launch of new ski-in/ski-out home sites that will be available in the near future.
Panorama Mountain Village is one of the largest employers in the East Kootenay Region. “The talented and experienced employee team in place at Panorama is one of the greatest strengths of this deal,” Mr. Jensen noted. “We are very excited to be working with these people to build excitement and enthusiasm, and to drive the resort forward.”
According to Rick Jensen it is business as usual at Panorama Mountain Village and Panorama Inc. and Intrawest are working closely together to ensure a smooth transition of ownership. “Panorama Inc. is honouring all vacation reservations, season passes and products like the SnowMax Ski Card,” he said. “As well, vacation packages and passes will continue to be available online at www.panoramaresort.com.
“We are excited about the possibilities and passion new local ownership is bringing to the resort,” Mr. Jensen added. “Everyone is invited to come and experience the fun and excitement of Panorama Mountain Village.”
About Panorama Mountain Village Inc.
Newly formed Panorama Mountain Village Inc. is made up of a group of Panorama homeowners and local business people who share a tremendous passion for Panorama Mountain Village. This diverse group of investors, led by Rick Jensen, has joined together to purchase the resort with plans to operate, further develop and grow this leading destination. Located in the B.C. Rockies, Panorama Mountain Village is a year-round resort featuring true slopeside lodging, one of North America’s biggest vertical descents and the award-winning Greywolf Golf Course. For more information, visit www.panoramaresort.com and www.greywolfgolf.com.
March 2
Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is now accepting
applications for its Youth Community Service Awards, valued at $2,000
and awarded based on volunteer community service rather than academic
standing.
“We are particularly proud to be able to present these awards to youth,
who have shown a commitment to volunteering in their communities, for
them to use towards any post-secondary training or education,” said
Lynda Lafleur, CBT Community Liaison. “We believe in the difference
youth can make in their communities by volunteering their time amidst
busy academic or athletic schedules.”
Awards totalling $90,000 will be distributed to students in the Columbia
Basin. All students graduating from a Basin high school, alternate
school or other institution that grants graduation diplomas recognized
by the Ministry of Education are eligible for the award.
Schools with a graduating class less than 25 will receive one award;
those with up to 75 students will receive two awards; and those with
more than 75 graduating students will receive three awards. At least one
award will be presented to each high school catchment area.
Applications are available at local high schools and online at
www.cbt.org/programs. The deadline to submit an application is April 16,
2010, and should be returned to the local high school.
For more information on the award or application process, contact Linda
McInnes at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 1.800.505.8998.
March 1
Cranbrook’s new economic development plan touches every sector of the community
by Tanya Laing Gahr
Kevin Weaver, the City of Cranbrook’s economic development officer, spoke at length about the new plan for Cranbrook’s economic future at the most recent Cranbrook & District Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
The comprehensive strategy, delivered by Victor Cumming of Westcoast CED Consulting Ltd. from Vernon, B.C., encompasses almost every aspect of life in Cranbrook, including cultural and educational strengths and challenges; the creation of mining clusters; utilizing airport lands; attracting and maintaining commercial businesses; developing broadband services for businesses in the area; affordable housing; daily air commuter services to Calgary; downtown revitalization and much more.
Weaver said the study took into account historical and recent economic trends in Cranbrook and the surrounding region in order to create a strategy that is tailored to Cranbrook’s current economic client and specific strengths. While Weaver certainly has his work cut out for him in the next number of years implementing many of the plans, he said that a number of advisory boards have or will be created to assist in the ambitious projects and that many are already underway.
The full document is available on line at www.cranbrook.ca.
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Keith Powell is the publisher and founder of Kootenay Business magazine which is part of the Koocanusa Publications family. He has written a regular sales and marketing column, called Ad Talk, in Kootenay Business magazine for over 20 years. He also writes a daily business blog about business developments in the Kootenays. He is a director of Kootenay Rockies Tourism and the Kootenay Rockies Regional Economic Alliance (KRREA).
E-mail Keith if you have a business story idea.
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