Kootenay BizBlog :: Keith Powell

Rebuilding the past - An overarching project presents a future vision for Cranbrook

Story by: Tanya Laing

A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE: The completed arch at the entrance to Cranbrook’s downtown will be another step in bringing beauty to the city’s core. Conceptional art by Kris Lindblad

For many years, visitors to Cranbrook were welcomed into the city by stone arches that spanned the entrance. However, the arches were demolished in the 1950s when the roads were widened to accommodate increased traffic, and even in the 60 years since their destruction, residents have never ceased to mourn their loss. Now, Cranbrook’s Downtown Business Association (DBA), in conjunction with the City of Cranbrook and Columbia Basin Trust, is working to construct a new arch at the Ninthe Avenue entrance to downtown.

Fred Hoechsmann, owner of the Bedroom Furniture Galleries and spokesperson for the DBA, said the project will help revitalize Cranbrook’s downtown and have many other spinoff benefits.

“There are a number of components involved with the project,” said Hoechsmann. “There is a historical and cultural component and then the beautification and economical component. Without having an attractive entrance to our community and without having a strategy for the future along the No. 3 (Highway) corridor, we’re not going to attract more people to live and shop in our community.”

Hoechsmann said the City Centre Entrance Arches Project will also help to tie the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel into the downtown in a more cohesive fashion by establishing better pedestrian linkages from the museum and throughout downtown. As well, the project will include creating an attractive backdrop for the arches with the expertise of architects, engineers and landscapers—and in time, real estate developers.

“When you take a look at the overall vision, the downtown really needs a condominium development of some kind to have more of a sense of community in the downtown,” said Hoechsmann. “That would be the ultimate: to attract the type of investor which will help take the city centre to where it needs to be.” Hoechsmann said the DBA and its partners have so far been successful in raising $400,000 for the construction of the arch; this figure marks the halfway point. A total of $800,000 is necessary for its completion, and Hoechsmann is hopeful that the community will come forward to support the project. He believes that the overarching theme of downtown revitalization will benefit the entire city.

“This is a community project and it needs to be funded by the city of Cranbrook,” he said. “We’ve received grants from various organizations and we’re going to continue to work on that, but really, this is not just a business or city project—it’s a community project … and we really do need the support of the whole community.” Hoechsmann expects the arches project to break ground this spring.

Discover your place in the workforce

Story by: Danielle Cameron

START PLANNING YOUR FUTURE: The Selkirk College Career & Job Fair allows employers to meet with potential employees and helps students to find their ideal careers. Photo by Keith Powell

For employers, students and prospective employees, the Selkirk College Career & Job Fair is a place to make connections and explore new possibilities.

“Over the past few years we have had everyone from government organizations such as the Ministry of Forests and Interior Health to golf courses, private consultants and larger companies such as Zellstoff Celgar,” said Carrie Voysey, communications co-ordinator for Selkirk College. “Essentially, there will be something there for everyone—no matter what area you are thinking of gaining employment in.”

There are substantial benefits to attending this event—for employers and for those who are seeking to enter the workforce in the near future. Even if you are still examining your options or are unsure about your ideal career path, you simply cannot afford to miss this valuable opportunity.

“This is a great networking opportunity for both parties,” said Voysey. “It provides students and employers with an informal opportunity to meet face to face and determine if there would be a good fit in terms of employment.”

There will be plenty to see at the fair, and it is expected to attract a large number of local and out-of-town participants.

“We have invited students from local high schools and are making sure that students across all of our campuses are aware of the event,” said Voysey. “In addition, we are hoping to host some interactive workshops on work-related topics throughout the day.”

Selkirk College is the perfect place to hold a career fair, as the programs offered to the college’s students are geared to fit the demands of current employers.

“In many cases the programs that the students are enrolled in are direct in terms of areas of study,” explained Voysey. “For example, if the Ministry of Forests is looking for someone with training in forestry or recreation, fish and wildlife, our students have the specific educational background that they are looking for. The students are generally eager to work and gain experience in their field.”

There are also many employers seeking either part-time or temporary workers. Selkirk College students may be interested in these positions also, as this gives them the opportunity to earn money while they are pursuing their education.

The healthy deli choice

Story by: Sandra Albers

DELI DELIGHTS: Tom Fritz on the job at Famous Fritz Meats & Deli in Creston. Photo courtesy: Famous Fritz Meats & Deli

At Famous Fritz Meats & Deli, customers of the Creston company don't have to regard deli meats as a guilty pleasure. That’s thanks to a new line of sausage products invented and developed by Tom Fritz, co-owner with his wife, Victoria, of the shop at 1420 Northwest Boulevard. Victoria said Tom’s groundbreaking formula is 100 per cent natural; there are no artificial ingredients added to their already gluten-free products. The new line of assorted deli meats are nutritionally sound for two reasons—the products have been enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and they are also cholesterol-reduced by up to 50 per cent.

Victoria said the omega-3 content in their European wieners and deli meats is comparable to what is in a similar quantity of coho salmon. (Details can be found at www.famousfritz.ca). These essential acids are associated with various health benefits. Victoria said everything is made on site, all their beef and buffalo is aged 21 days, and hams are made like they were 50 years ago. The shop is named after Tom’s dad, Fritz, a master butcher. Tom and Victoria emigrated from Germany seven years ago and set up shop in Creston three years ago.

All set for winter fun

Story by: Sandra Albers

MUSH: Roxanne and David Mason and their team of Alaskan huskies are pleased to offer dogsledding tours in the Rossland/Salmo area of British Columbia. Photo courtesy: Powder Paws Dogsledding Tours

Powder Paws Dogsledding Tours is a brand new business for owners Roxanne and David Mason, and a first of its kind for the Rossland, B.C., area. With 35 dogs, including eight puppies, Roxanne said they are starting small but are very excited about their new venture, which allows them to share their love of the outdoors with their young son, Samuel, as well as with clients.

Tours led by a team of eight Alaskan huskies travel to an old mine on Red Mountain, and participants are invited to harness their own dog teams. Other tours begin outside the Masons’ home in Salmo, and skijouring clinics are also available. Roxanne studied adventure tourism in Kamloops, her husband took similar studies in the United Kingdom, and they met rock climbing in Switzerland. For more information, check out www.powderpaws.ca.

The colours of the Kootenays

Story by: Sandra Albers

LIGHT MAKES BRIGHT: Crescent Valley artisan Susan Cooley’s stained glass art comes with optional LED light boxes. Photo courtesy: Susan Cooley

Crooked Wood Creations takes the Kootenay landscape and transforms it into stained glass art. Artisan Susan Cooley recently opened her studio in Crescent Valley and welcomes commissions. She makes business signs, wall art, cabinet doors, lampshades, mirrors, fireplace screens, garden art and structural elements in homes and businesses. The latter includes windows, transoms (a horizontal bar across a window or the top of a door), sidelights (a window by the side of a door or other window), entranceways and room dividers. She also does restorations.

The Crooked Wood in her business name comes from the driftwood frames her husband, John, makes for some of her pieces. Cooley learned her craft at Abraxis Glass in Colorado. Many years of map-making taught her to see forms and patterns in the land, and computer graphics programs help her render these visions precisely into glass.

“Although most of my stained glass creations are lovingly made to honour Kootenay landscapes, I will happily tackle other themes to suit customers’ needs,“ said Cooley. Cooley’s stained glass art comes with optional LED light boxes, which can be placed anywhere in a home where there is a power outlet. “The art is often dramatically enhanced in a darkened room,” Cooley said.

The light box extends the choice of location for placement of the art piece, and can add interest to any dark hallway that has no windows. See more of Susan Cooley’s artwork at her website, www.crookedwoodcreations.ca.

International Best-Selling Author to speak at Rocky Mountain Lifestyle and Wellness Expo

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Brad King’s topic is “Increase Your Energy, Reduce Your Stress” Photo courtesy: Brad King

A new year brings renewed promises to take better care of one’s physical health as well as improve and hopefully increase one’s overall wellness. Without proper guidance even those with the best of intentions can easily fall back into old habits. The 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Lifestyle & Wellness Expo offers attendees a valuable opportunity to meet face-to-face with experts ready to assist people in reaching their health and wellness goals.

The Rocky Mountain Lifestyle & Wellness Expo will be held Saturday, February 7th, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort & Convention Centre in Cranbrook. And best of all admission is free (by donation to Abreast in the Rockies). There are some great door prizes including round-trip tickets to Vancouver compliments of Pacific Coastal Airlines.

International best-selling author Brad King will be the keynote speaker at the Rocky Mountain Lifestyle & Wellness Expo—his presentation is at 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Brad King holds a master’s degree in nutritional science and is the author of a number of international best-selling health-related books. He will be in attendance all day to answer your health-related questions.

“My new subject is not that you age, it is how you choose to age,” says King. “We all have the ability to produce youthful forms of energy. I want people to understand that it is not going to be a dry lecture. We are going to laugh a lot. I want people to come out and have a really good time.”

Other guest speakers include Dr. Carl Weber of Honu Family Chiropractic; Muriel Stickney, Life Coach; and Eileen McBain of Wellness by Design. Make sure to start 2009 out right by talking with and learning from these wellness experts who will be on hand to answer your questions and provide you with a plan to ensure that your personal well-being and physical health goals are a success.

Rocky Mountain Lifestyle & Wellness Expo speakers schedule:

• 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. - Dr. Carl Weber, Honu Family Chiropractic, “Principles of Life and the Keys to Longevity”
• 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. - Medichair Representative, “Improving your Quality of Life”
• 11:30 to 12 noon - Michelle Godec, “What is Restorative Justice?”
• 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. - Brad King, Keynote speaker, “Increase Your Energy, Reduce Your Stress”
• 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Leighanne Lebein, “Hearing 101”
• 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. Eileen McBain, “The Principles of Wellness by Design“
• 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Muriel Stickney, “Success in Business and in Health”

The following companies will be represented at the Lifestyle & Wellness Expo:

• The New Pro-Fitness Gym
• Millennium Health and Wellness Centre
• Exhale Yoga
• Rocky Mountain Wellness
• Dynamic Hearing Solutions
• Wellness by Design
• City of Cranbrook Leisure Services
• Canadian Mental Health
• Medichair
• Nutters
• Keynote Speaker Brad King
• Restorative Justice
• USANA
• The Hearing Loss Clinic
• Life Success Coach Muriel Stickney
• KPI Media
• Honu Chiropractic
• A.C. Dyck Financial Services
• Abreast in the Rockies

LW Pilates Opens in Fernie

Source: Fernie Chamber of Commerce newsletter

Louise Wight, owner LW Pilates Photo courtesy: Fernie Chamber of Commerce newsletter

Louise Wight, a Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor and her husband, Andy, moved to Fernie from Scotland in July 2008. Like many others they came for the mountains, outdoor lifestyle and strong community spirit.

Louise had been teaching Pilates in Scotland for two years and was keen to introduce classes to Fernie. LW Pilates launched in Fernie in September 2008 with classes now running at Fernie Physiotherapy and the Aquatic Centre.

“I completed my STOTT PILATES® instructor programme in Toronto in 2006. It's very rewarding when clients come to you at the end of a class and say how much better they feel. It makes all the hard work worthwhile!” says Louise Wight.

LW Pilates runs small group classes to ensure individual attention, and one to one instruction can be given in the privacy of your own home.

For more info contact 250 531 0096 or e-mail info@lwpilates.ca

Federal Government invests in St. Mary’s Indian Band infrastructure

MP Jim Abbott makes a joint announcement about funding for St. Mary’s Indian Band and the City of Cranbrook plan for mixed-use and light-industrial land development. Photo by Keith Powell

Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Co-operation and Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, on behalf of Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced last week a $335,000 Government of Canada investment towards the St. Mary’s Indian Band to identify land use and develop a conceptual engineering design for infrastructure services on a parcel of on-reserve land. Funding is provided through Western Economic Diversification Initiative (CDEI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.

“Our Government’s investment will help the St. Mary’s Indian Band identify new land use opportunities in the area,” said Mr. Abbott. “This project will help grow and sustain the local economy by providing the necessary foundation to enhance community infrastructure, which is a part of out Government’s plan as we guide our country through these uncertain times.”

The funding will enable the St. Mary’s Indian Band to complete preliminary design and cost estimates for mixed-use land development. The scope of work includes: market research, preliminary geotechnical investigations, land use, distribution and density, community consultations, preliminary designs and finalized plans. This land development, adjacent to the airport and the City of Cranbrook, will generate long-term economic benefits for the First Nation community of St. Mary’s Indian Band, the City of Cranbrook and the East Kootenays.

“This funding will allow the Band to undertake a very thorough technical and economic feasibility investigation into the potential for developing a parcel of land located adjacent to the airport; it opens doors for the St. Mary’s Band in the area of economic development, and can provide lasting and meaningful benefits for the community and region as a whole,” said Michelle Zibrik, Director of Community & Economic Development for the St. Mary’s Indian Band Administration.

Federal Funding For New Light Industrial Park

Phillip Elchitz, of the Canadian Rockies International Airport; Scott Manjak, Mayor of Cranbrook; Jim Abbott, MP; and Jennifer Krotz, Columbia Basin Trust at the announcement of federal funding for a new light industrial park at the airport in Cranbrook. Photo by Keith Powell

Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Co-operation and Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced last week a $200,000 Government of Canada investment towards the city of Cranbrook to develop a commercial and light industrial park master development plan for the local airport. Funding is provided through Western Economic Diversification Initiative (CDEI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.

The funding will support the Corporation of the City of Cranbrook to develop a Commercial and Light Industrial Park Master Development Plan for the Canadian Rockies International Airport. The plan will cover land use, development, standards and guidelines, subdivision layout and servicing strategies. A marketing strategy will also be developed and implemented to attract new businesses.

“This project is a great opportunity for Cranbrook and the East Kootenays,” said Mayor Scott Manjak. “A Commercial and Light Industrial Park at the Canadian Rockies International Airport will build upon the substantial investments already made in upgrading the airport. We are grateful to the federal government for the significance financial support for the preparation of the master development plan and for their efforts to help strengthen and diversify our economy.”

Invermere Couple Opens New Carpet Cleaning Franchise

Heaven’s Best handles everything from carpet and wood floors to tile and grout floors. Photo Courtesy: www.heavensbest.ca

Wayne and Sherrie Jones are the owners of the new Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning franchise for the East Kootenay. Their franchise territory spans from Golden to Cranbrook. Their cleaning process cleans everything from carpet and wood floors to tile and grout floors.

“Our dry-in-one-hour process yields exceptional results making the turn-around time for the area the fastest in the industry. We are prompt, professional and perform the highest level of service,” explain the Jones’s.

They further add that they are looking to build long-term relationships with their clients by setting up and maintaining an effective cleaning schedule. Heaven’s Best has even developed its own fabric protector.

The new Heaven’s Best carpet cleaners can be contacted at 250-688-0213 or www.heavensbest.ca

Kootenay’s first digital magazine now online

Click on www.rockymountainvisitors.com to access the new digital edition of the magazine. Photo Courtesy: www.rockymountainvisitors.com

Koocanusa Publications Inc. (www.kpimedia.com) has released the Kootenays’ first digital magazine edition with the unveiling of its new and innovative digital edition of Rocky Mountain Visitors Magazine. Rocky Mountain Visitors Magazine is the leading region-wide visitors publication in the Kootenays and has a print circulation of over 40,000 copies—and now other exposure to a worldwide audience via the Internet.

Rocky Mountain Visitors Magazine also publishes the official Cranbrook Visitors Magazine for the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce as part of the magazine as well as distinctive sections for communities like Kimberley, Grand Forks and Boundary communities. In fact, each community in the region is profiled.

“We are pleased to add additional value to all our readers and advertisers by pioneering the publishing of our new digital edition of Rocky Mountain Visitors Magazine,” said Murray Shellborn, production co-ordinator at KPI Media. “The digital edition is an exact reproduction of the print product and offers website and e-mail links for our participating advertisers.”

Rocky Mountain Visitors magazine has published its current edition in a searchable digital format and will also do the same for the upcoming 2009 edition. To view the complete digital version visit www.rockymountainvisitors.com

First Ever Health Focused Outreach Service Hits the Streets

Cheralynne Kennedy (left) and Natalie Weeks are third year nursing students at Selkirk College and are part of the team of five that runs the Selkirk College Nursing Student Street Outreach Project. Photo Courtesy: Selkirk Colleges School of Nursing

From their vantage point behind the nursing outreach table, 31 year-old Cheralynne Kennedy and 25 year-old Natalie Weeks witness the pain and struggle that daily life holds for the marginalized citizens of Nelson. Cheralynne and Natalie are third year nursing students at Selkirk and part of the team of five that runs the Selkirk College Nursing Student Street Outreach Project.

“We treat a broad range of people, not necessarily whom you might expect. They are not all homeless or drug-addicted. They are mainly young and middle-aged men whose lives have taken a turn for the worse. Most clients have incredible obstacles to overcome, such as mental and physical health barriers,” explains Natalie.

Each Wednesday and Thursday throughout winter, two nursing students bring street nursing to Baker and Vernon Streets. You can spot them carrying labeled backpacks filled with basic supplies to give away. Nursing students also host an outreach table at five social service agencies throughout the day.

“One client was very nervous about going to his doctors appointment so one of us accompanied him to the appointment for support. He probably wouldn't have gone otherwise,” says Natalie.

There are currently 32 students in third year at Selkirk College and the focus for the year is on community nursing. Students usually find this part of their education both emotionally demanding and spiritually satisfying.

“It’s really hard to witness the stress and struggles of marginalized people”seeing how real it is and how they try. But its also rewarding knowing Im connecting with people who often feel disconnected. Linking them to existing health services they weren't aware of empowers them to improve their lives,” says Cheralynne. “I want to work in street nursing when I graduate. It feels right.”

To find out more about Selkirk Colleges School of Nursing, click here.

Nelson Business Goes Up In Flames

Kootenay Sleds & Wheels goes up in fire. Click here to view video. Photo/Video Credit: TMTV.net

It is always distressing to hear of a business razed by fire. That’s exactly what happened to Kootenay Sleds & Wheels, located on the north side of the orange bridge in Nelson, heading north on Highway #3A.

The motorsports dealership went up in a spectacular blaze on December 31st. Kootenay Sleds and Wheels is a full line motorsports dealership, which carries popular brand names like Polaris and Victory Motorcycles, KTM, Suzuki and Kawasaki.

Kootenay Sleds and Wheels is owned and operated by Bruce Streichert and is known as one of the Kootenays premier motorsports shops. There is no word on whether the dealership plans to re-build or not at this point. We offer our best wishes to Bruce and his staff as they work to recover from this devastating fire.

Fernie Bike Tour Named One of Best in World

Source: Kootenay Rockies e-newsletter

Sacred Rides gets heavenly award as one of earth's best bike touring company. America. Photo Courtesy: Sacred Rides

Fernie-based Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Holidays has just been named one of National Geographic Adventure’s 2009 'Best Adventure Companies on Earth'. The rigorously researched awards rank companies according to five criteria: Quality of Service, Sustainability, Spirit of Adventure, Education, Client Experience. Full results will be released in January 2009.

“We’re incredibly pleased and extremely proud of this recognition,” says company president Mike Brcic.

“We’ve been offering trips in British Columbia for over 13 years, and have introduced a spate of new trips around the globe in the past few years. The one constant among all of our trips is a commitment to excellence and a commitment to responsible tourism… not to forget some very happy mountain bikers.”

Since 1996, Sacred Rides have offered community-based mountain bike holidays in British Columbia, Peru and Chile. Their holidays use local guides and suppliers, contribute a percentage of tour costs toward local development projects, and allow participants to interact with the communities where they ride. For the past five years, they have also run skills camps for women, led by their top-ranked coaches, some of whom are former national champions.

Expanded Ownership Accommodates Growing Demand at KMI Columbaria

Pictured are samples of columbariums that KPI Columbaria sold and installed in St. Francis. The Ta Ta Creek-based company installs columbariums across North America. Photo Courtesy: KMI

A growing demand throughout the U.S. and Canada for their patented columbaria system has seen KMI Columbaria owners Harry and Sonia Stienwand turn a strategic eye to their business. Ironically, the increased demand was coming at a time when they were looking to decrease their day-to-day involvement in the company they had nurtured and grown. The company is based out of Ta Ta Creek which is just north of Kimberley, B.C.

Within 60 days of meeting with the Stienwands, a new ownership team was in place. On October 31, 2008, Mark and Wendy Fynn and Allan Diemert joined the ownership and management team at KMI along with KMI general manager Derek Maher. They bring to the company skills and experience in a variety of strategic areas, including real estate, advertising and financial services, complementing Maher’s ongoing contribution as a fourth-generation funeral director. Company founder Harry Stienwand, referred to as the Ambassador, retains a minority interest in KMI and is under contract to provide stewardship during the transition.

The team is enthusiastic about the growth opportunities for KMI and each is immersed in their roles. “When Harry told us initially that his was the best columbaria system in North America, we all agreed,” comments Mark Fynn, president. “Since the acquisition I have travelled, on average, 10,000 miles per month and have personally had the pleasure of hearing firsthand from customers that indeed KMI is the best system marketed in North America.”

While the new owners have innovative ideas for the growth of KMI, they are firm about maintaining the quality of products and service established by the previous owners. “Quality, integrity and innovation are the hallmarks of KMI,” notes Fynn. “We pride ourselves in being able to conceptualize and deliver projects that no one else can offer, as well as providing comprehensive answers for every columbaria need.”

“I didn’t have a clue about what a ‘columbaria’ was when Harry Stienwand walked in to my office to renew his home insurance in June,” says Mark Fynn. “Now Wendy and I are majority shareholders in what we feel is the best columbaria system presently being marketed in North America.”

Since joining the team in August, Mark has personally averaged 10,000 travel miles/month in “planes, trains and automobiles” attending conferences such as the Western Canada Cemetery Association in Calgary, Alberta, the Cemetery Association of Oregon/Washington Cemetery and Funeral Association at Welches, Oregon, the National Funeral Association in Orlando Florida, and the Catholic Cemetery Association, once again in Orlando. It reflects Mark’s desire to learn the bottom-up nature of our business by travelling to installations across North America.

“Since September our crews have completed work at: Castor, Alberta, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canmore, Alberta, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Piapot Saskatchewan, Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan, Fernie, B.C., Chincoteague Island, Virginia, Arlington, Virginia, Oakland, California—our largest project to date, Red Lake, Ontario, Beaverlodge, Alberta, Sudbury, Ontario, Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Port Coquitlam, B.C., with projects in Woodstock, Maryland, Burnaby, B.C., Surrey, B.C. and Duncan B.C. to be completed in January; and inquiries continuing to pour in from across North America from the positive ripple the goodwill word-of-mouth promotion created by unsolicited references from our happy customers. We believe we’ve got an incredible business opportunity—business has tripled sales in the past three years,” adds Mark Fynn.

For more information visit their website at www.kmicolumbaria.com

New Powder Highway website to be revealed in January

Source: Kootenay Rockies e-newsletter

Home page of the newly designed Powder Highway website by Kootenay Rockies Photo courtesy: www.PowderHighway.com

The new PowderHighway.com is a database-driven website, used to promote the region’s entire winter product to the destination visitor, media and the travel trade. By mid-winter the site will be live with regional content. Snowsport Partners will have an opportunity to update their images and videos daily, and to showcase their current snow conditions, special events and package promotions. Plus, Powder Highway and other resort/winter media stories will also be featured throughout the season.

Future plans include building on these attributes and adding more incentives for the destination visitor (from our long-haul and international markets) by enhancing the media and travel trade sections of the site. Under the Package section of the website, international visitors will be able to search for Powder Highway customized fly/drive ski packages from their preferred departure point and book direct. Video and picture blogs will be offered. And monthly newsletters, highlighting specific Snowsport events and activities, will be sent to interested visitors, the media and the travel trade.

The website will be promoted on various social networking websites, as well as online ski/winter adventure magazines. With continued support from the region’s Snowsport Partners, we will continue to enhance www.PowderHighway.com.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR EXPANDING IN THE KOOTENAYS

International exchange is part of Selkirk College’s new renewable energy program

Giovanna Potenciano, centre, is one of three students from Tabasco, Mexico, who came to the West Kootenay region for a five-week student exchange with Selkirk College this fall.

Bordering the Caribbean Sea, tucked beside Belize and Guatemala, is where 19-year-old Giovanna Potenciano calls home. She lives in Tabasco, Mexico, and studies at the Universidad Tecnologica de Tabasco. Giovanna is one of three students from Tabasco who came to the West Kootenay region for a five-week student exchange with Selkirk College this fall.

Based out of Selkirk’s Tenth Street Nelson campus, the one-year certificate program combines theory and application to teach students about energy conservation, green heat transfer, biomass energy systems, green power generation, wind energy, small hydro solar panels and much more.

The Certificate in Renewable Energy is the first of its kind in western Canada and prepares graduates for entry-level technical positions in the renewable energy sector.

“Selkirk College has carefully evaluated emerging trends and determined that renewable energy is unfolding as a new field of employment,” explains one of the Renewable Energy instructors, Robert Macrae. “Personally, I’m pleased to be assisting with the shift in society towards more sustainable living. Renewable energy is a part of our future. It makes economic and environmental sense. How can we generate electricity at a lower cost? Wind-generated electricity, for example, is less expensive than electricity generated by coal. It doesn’t have the same footprint, it is less hazardous to human health and to the environment.”

Macrae believes that the current economic downturn will only speed growth in the renewable energy sector as people begin to conserve energy as a way to save. People expert in energy conservation will be needed to advise clients on how to save energy and save money. Local renewable energy businesses are popping up—Terra Therma, Jenergy Technologies and Spectrum Thermal Resources to name a few.

To find out more about Selkirk’s Renewable Energy program visit their website at selkirk.ca or call toll free 1.888.953.1133, ext. 441.

Promoting the Kootenay Rockies

Shannon Harrison of Kootenay Rockies takes a break and whoops it up at Canada’s West Marketplace in Calgary.

Kootenay Rockies Tourism was in attendance at the 21st Canada’s West Marketplace held in Calgary November 26 and 27.

Each year this trade show brings together more than 400 B.C. and Alberta tourism suppliers with some of the industry’s key tour company decision makers.

Shannon Harrison and Kathy Cooper both attended from Kootenay Rockies Tourism and met with tourism buyers from across the world over two days of scheduled appointments and social networking events. Shannon and Kathy had busy schedules with over 60 scheduled appointments between them.

This trade show has proven to be an effective forum for tourism businesses to promote their range of products to tour operators. Our region was well represented as 25 of our regional partners were also in attendance on behalf of Kootenay Rockies tourism businesses.

Canada’s West will be held in Victoria, B.C. next year and as we move closer to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are optimistic that buyers and sellers alike will benefit from the strong relationships built through this event.

Source: Kootenay Rockies e-newsletter.

Show Suite Opens at Kimberley’s Mountain Spirit Resort

Visit Suite 111! Photo courtesy Mountain Spirit Resort

Sales and Marketing manager Allyson Hunter has announced that Suite 111 at Kimberley’s new Mountain Spirit Resort and Spa is now open.

“As you know, there’s lots happening in Kimberley these days! To coincide with the opening of Kimberley Alpine Resort for skiing and boarding, and the start of Delta’s international flights to the Canadian Rockies International Airport, our show suite—Suite 111—is now open to visit at Mountain Spirit. Come and see for yourself the sublime luxuries of the Mountain Spirit lifestyle!”

Allyson Hunter continues:

“We’re keen to keep our community and business network informed on our progress. We have sold over 50% of suites at Mountain Spirit Resort & Spa and completions of phase 1 suites start this winter—with 11 available in our ‘ready right now’ phase. Ownership opportunities are available from $86,900 and we have a range of suite types and ownership options. Please let me know if you are interested in our commercial or residential opportunities. We’re open Friday to Tuesday, 12 - 6 p.m. or by appointment.”

A challenge to government: Protect the province’s educational core

Opinion editorial presented by Jim Reed, president of the BC Colleges and Institutes—an association of the colleges in the province

Selkirk College is one of 11 B.C. colleges which comprise the BC Colleges and Institutes Association. Photo by Keith Powell

It’s budget planning time for the provincial government whose next fiscal year begins April 1, 2009.

For most years planning the next budget has been relatively straightforward. But this year is different. Economic experts and pundits everywhere are forecasting an economic storm, one that will be a supreme challenge to our government. To their credit, the government is already rising to the immediate challenge of a significant drop in the forecast revenues for this fiscal year and the rippling effects of the economic downturn that are expected to continue beyond the next fiscal year.

Nevertheless, the inevitable consequence of reduced provincial revenues is cuts in government funding. In outlining steps the government is taking immediately, the language of Premier Gordon Campbell and his finance minister is hopeful. They have some rainy-day surplus that they intend to use, in their words, to protect the important programs, whether it’s health care, education, or the social service ministries.

Speaking for the province’s community colleges, we find this encouraging because we know from experience that in tough economic times the unemployed want and expect a seat in the classrooms of the province. We also know from history that protecting, and even expanding higher education, is an effective policy lever for coping in times of recession.

We therefore call on the government to protect public post-secondary education in the province that ensures a skilled, job-ready workforce is available for the moment when the economy turns around, as it will. The important point here is that our province can’t afford to be “late to market” with a workforce that is ready and able to perform in what will be, yet again, a new economy.

When the colleges speak of a job-ready workforce, we do so mindful of the fact that labour market experts estimate that 42% of recent skill shortages are in occupations that require graduates of a community college program. These are the college programs that graduate highly skilled tradespeople, the applied technologists and technicians for the resource-based and environmental industries, the nurses and technical support for health professionals, computer and network operators for today’s modern enterprises.

So we say to government, protect access to the province’s community colleges with funding that enables them to pay the bills. Because of their geographic locations, the colleges provide learning and skill training opportunities everywhere in this vast province.

A recent report by CCbenefits Inc. shows that the colleges as a collective provide a 14% rate of return on the investment of public funds used to support the colleges. This ROI compares favourably with private sector rates of return on similar long-term investments. However, protection must encompass more than seat capacity in our institutions. The government must make it possible for the unemployed to make themselves job-ready by enabling them to attend college rather than chasing job opportunities where none exist. These are not easy challenges; they are, however, the challenges that must be met if the government is to ensure a vibrant economic future for the province. The colleges are up to the challenge.