A regular report on newsworthy business developments
in the Kootenays…
OCTOBER 31 New chamber manager in Revelstoke
TOURISM TITANS: Gerry Gardner and Thom Tischik attended the Kootenay Rockies AGM.
Gerry Gardner, the Chamber of Commerce’s tourism co-ordinator, has been tapped as the new chamber manager in Revelstoke.
He replaces outgoing chamber manager, Thom Tischik, who has moved to the Okanagan to enjoy some well-deserved downtime.
In addition to tourism marketing, Gerry Gardiner brings with him over 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the radio business throughout B.C.
It is an exciting time for the City of Revelstoke and the Chamber of Commerce with the long awaiting Revelstoke Mountain Resort set to open for this ski season and development is booming.
Gerry Gardiner, is also a newly elected director for Kootenay Rockies Tourism.
OCTOBER 30 Chris Elder heads west to take on the “Bear”
After six years in the Kootenays, sales and marketing manager for Kimberley Alpine Resort and Fernie Alpine Resort, Chris Elder, is leaving Resorts of Canadian Rockies (RCR), and heading to Victoria.
Chris Elder will be heading to work for The Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort & Spa as sales manager for this huge golf development near Victoria.
In addition to heading up the sales and marketing at Kimberley and Fernie, Elder was also a director on the regional tourism board, Kootenay Rockies.
“My time in the Kootenays has been fantastic and it is because of my friends and associates that have made this place so special," said Elder in a departing message. "The decision to move was very difficult, however I am excited to be starting a new series of adventures."
OCTOBER 29 Kootenay Savings to construct new Radium branch
Kootenay Savings Credit Union (KSCU) is expanding with new branch to be built in Radium Hot Springs. Building tenders for new the facility are out now and this will be KSCU’s 14th branch in throughout the Kootenays.
Kootenay Savings, with corporate offices in Trail, currently has thirteen branches throughout the East and West Kootenay, $628 million in assets, 40,000 members and almost 250 employees. It also owns insurance and financial management subsidiaries and operates a Community Foundation.
Kootenay Savings was recently ranked as the Kootenay’s 15th largest business according to Kootenay Business magazine with revenue last year of just over $40 million. Brent Tremblay is the CEO of Kootenay Savings.
For more info on Kootenay Savings visit www.kscu.com.
OCTOBER 26 Sleep In the clouds
The name has changed but the same great service promises to continue. Chris and Sally Drysdale who purchased Nelson’s Inn the Garden Bed and Breakfast over the summer for the Gardiners, have now renamed the popular B & B, it is now called the Cloudside Inn.
The Drysdales moved to Nelson from London, England. The new moniker came after the couple conducted an exhaustive process with Yellowseed Design, a Nelson design company.
The Cloudside features seven bedrooms in six separate units and is only steps away from Nelson’s downtown area.
Source: Kootenay Express www.expressnews.ca
OCTOBER 25 Cranbrook to hold retail seminar
The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce president, Denise Pallesen, economic development officer Norma Stumborg and director of retail Linda Birch at the Tamarack Centre are inviting Cranbrook businesses to attend a Wine and Cheese at the Cranbrook Public Library’s Manual Training School Meeting and Small Conference Centre at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30.
The purpose of the round table forum is to identify how Cranbrook businesses are being affected by the rising Canadian dollar and generate discussion and ideas about how merchants can increase consumer purchases and consumer loyalty.
Questions to be addressed: Is the rise of the Canadian dollar affecting your business? Are you losing customers to the USA? What steps have you taken to reverse the impact? What ideas do you have to encourage people to buy local and to build consumer loyalty?
Call the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce office to confirm your attendance: 426-5914.
OCTOBER 24 Selkirk students join habitat
for
humanity
for hands-on experience
A WORK IN PROGRESS: The Habitat for Humanity house is being built at 1507 Slocan Street in Nelson, only a short walk from Selkirk College’s Silver King Campus, which is home to the School of Industry and Trades Training.
By partnering for a project with Habitat for Humanity, students enrolled in the carpentry Entry Level Trades Training (ELTT) program at Selkirk College are gaining valuable work experience while making an important contribution to the community.
According to Selkirk College carpentry instructor Barry Martin, the collaboration is a win-win situation for both his students and the non-profit volunteer organization.
"A few months back I started looking for a meaningful project for our first-year students, who focus mostly on residential construction," he said. "When I heard about the local Habitat for Humanity project, I contacted Darril Beninger, the chair of the West Kootenay chapter, to see if we could help and, needless to say, he was delighted by the offer."
In fact, Beninger said the residential construction project would have been challenging without the help of Selkirk College.
OCTOBER 23 Name in the news Alex Jenzen, owner of the Cranbrook-based Arrow Installations—a power and utility construction company—is celebrating his business' 25th anniversary. Percy Davis is operations manager for the company which employs over 37 people.
Lana Kirk is the new president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Cranbrook. Lana works for Tembec in the human resources department. Ron White, Steve Stockwood, Mike Adams, Tammy Boe and Diana Scott make up the rest of the JCI board.
Ron Allen, Superintendent for School District 5—Cranbrook and the Elk Valley—has announced his retirement for end of 2007. Assistant Superintendent Bill Gook will act as Interim Superintendent.
The HSBC Bank of Canada has announced that Paul D. Foster is the new manager at their Cranbrook branch.
OCTOBER 22 Merger a no go
The Revelstoke Credit Union has killed a proposed merger with the Kelowna-based Interior Savings Credit Union. “The board agonized over the decision but in the end it reached a decision that I think reflects the meaning of what a credit union is,” said Revelstoke Credit Union Chairman Dave Raven.
The decision followed the firing last month of the Revelstoke Credit Union’s long-time CEO, Jay Strong. Strong had proposed the merger in May as a sensible business move.
Founded in 1953, the Revelstoke Credit Union has assets of about $102.3 million. Over the years it has demonstrated a significant amount of corporate leadership in the community and has been a driving force in its social, economic and cultural development.
The Interior Savings Credit Union is based in Kelowna and, with 21 branches and assets in excess of $1.5 billion, is the largest credit union in the BC Interior. Under the proposed merger RCU would have retained a measure of local autonomy.
OCTOBER 19
Selkirk College pilot project to
assist
local business with staff training
Starting next week Selkirk College's Adult Basic Education (ABE) instructors will be providing a series of professional development workshops to the staff of the Kootenay Co-op, a well-known natural- and organic-food retailer in Nelson.
Professional development is a new area of instruction for Selkirk College's ABE program. However, the pilot project holds great potential for assisting local businesses with staffing development needs, including keeping workers happy and motivated.
"We're very excited about the prospect of aiding local business in their desire for employee training," said Devorah MacLean, an ABE instructor at Selkirk College who originated the idea of the workshops. "We believe there's great potential for partnering with local business and providing the kind of services that really make a difference for staff and businesses in our communities."
OCTOBER 18 Local elected officials and others enjoy a tour
of the Aberfeldie Redevelopment Project site
In September, a number of local area elected officials, key stakeholders and members of the media attended a tour of BC Hydro's Aberfeldie Redevelopment Project site, 35 kilometres east of Cranbrook.
Following a safety briefing and project overview, site construction manager Jim Horkoff, project manager Doug Baker and community relations manager Diane Tammen facilitiated a tour and escorted the group around all of the major site construction areas, answering many questions as they went.
The redevelopment of the Aberfeldie Dam and Generating Station is a Resource Smart project that will assist in filling the growing gap between supply and demand. Once complete, the annual energy production of approximately 105 gigawatt hours—is enough power to supply 10,500 residential customers annually. The redeveloped generating facility will help the province to meet its 2006 Energy Plan goal of being self-sufficient in energy by 2016. It is expected to be fully operational in the fall of 2008.
OCTOBER 17 Support your local communities merchants, urges columnist
One of my favourite business columns appears in the Nelson Express newspaper. The weekly column is written by business owner, Joyce Jackson, who owns Lonnie’s for Her and Him and is a director of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce.
Her latest column was particularly interesting, concerning shopping locally. Jackson writes…
“Many gleeful locals (with recent parity with the US dollar) are planning trips across the border to shop for themselves (and gifts for others). While this may seem appealing, simple economics tell us this can be disastrous to our city. Yup, it is factoid time. The first fact is an easy one.”
For every dollars spent out of town (or local community), zero dollars are kept in town.For every $100 spent with a local chain store, only $13 stay in our community. For every $100 spent with a local independent merchant, $45 dollars minimum stays and is put back into the Nelson area (or local community).
“If the local business community is not going to achieve somewhat near their typical numbers due to the lure of shopping elsewhere, the overall economic impact is going to be very bad, to put it mildly.’
Maybe it time to take a page from the “100 Mile Diet” authors who make the argument it’s healthier to purchase your food locally—how about the 100 Mile Shopping Spree? Shopping locally is always a good investment in the financial heath of your community.
OCTOBER 16 US congressman threatens molasses trade?
The Flathead mining controversy—involving Cline Mining and now British Petroleum --is still making front page news on the US-side of the border. In the current October 3rd issue of the Flathead Beacon newspaper, Montana congressman Denny Rehberg, R-Montana was taken to task over his seeming to be “conspicuously silent” on the matter.
US Congressman Rehberg has been less outspoken than his counterparts from the US Senate because he said, he wants to be careful with what is a delicate situation between Montana and its neighbour to the north.
But when push comes to shove on the issue of natural resource development in the Canadian Flathead, Rehberg said he is not averse to taking strong measures against Canada, particularly in its trade relationship on such products as beef, softwood lumber and molasses.
Rehberg is calling on Montana Governor Schweitzer to organize a summit with Canadian officials on the issue.
Source: Flathead Beacon
OCTOBER 15 Donation helps make new library program possible
FUNDS FOR EDUCATION: Kathleen Burgess from TransCanada presents Bill Renyk of the Cranbrook Public Library board, with a cheque for $500 to support the Library’s Community Education Seminars being held throughout October.
TransCanada recently donated $500 to support the Community Education Seminars being held at the Cranbrook Public Library throughout October as part of Canadian Library Month. These seminars provide up to date information on topics of interest, presented by professionals in each field.
The first seminar, How to Fill Out a Passport Application, was held on October 3, and received rave reviews from all who attended. At the second seminar, An Insider’s Guide to Buying a Car, David Clark, associate consultant at Investor’s Group, will delve into the ins and outs of financing your new car. He will give pointers on finding answers to questions such as: ‘Should I lease or buy?’ and ‘What are all those extra fees that get added to the price?
The third seminar, on Monday, October 15, deals with heart healthy eating and will provide valuable information that will help you make informed decisions about the food you eat. The final seminar, on Monday, October 22, takes a behind the scenes look at addictions. All seminars run from 7 to 8 p.m at Cranbrook's Historic Manual Training School MEETING AND SMALL CONFERENCE CENTRE, located beside the library.
The Cranbrook Public Library appreciates TransCanada’s support to help make the Community Education Seminars a reality.
OCTOBER 12 Island Lake Lodge announces
recognition as leader in eco-tourism The Island Lake Resort Group is proud to announce the receipt of a 4-Green Key rating from the Hotel Association of Canada for Island Lake Lodge. This award recognizes Island Lake Lodge’s commitment to preserving the environment and fostering a sense of stewardship. To date, 4-Green Keys is the highest level achieved by any lodging operation in British Columbia.
“We are very proud of our efforts in creating a sustainable and eco-friendly operation. The recognition of being a leader in the cat skiing industry, as well as the hospitality industry in general, is appreciated and we will continue to do our utmost to improve our environmental programs and initiatives,” says Kyle Hamilton, Building Services Manager, who was integral in reviewing the company’s environmental practices. Some of the key programs at Island Lake are 2 micro-hydro systems to provide for all electrical needs and the use of third-party certified environmental cleaner for housekeeping.
OCTOBER 11 Kaslo's Pennywise racks up more awards
At the recent Independent Free Papers Association Convention in Boston, Pennywise publisher/owner Patty Axenroth was on hand to receive 11 new awards! Ten were for excellence in graphic design (10 more plaques on the wall of fame) and the 11 was a third place for the highly competitive Vic Jose Overall Excellence Award, received for the exceptional layout, print and design of the entire paper.
“I was so proud to accept the awards on behalf of my staff...our little paper won more awards than any other of the 250 member papers from the U.S. and Canada! And, as exciting as the graphic awards are, receiving our fourth Vic Jose Overall Excellence Award in a row is our most satisfying accomplishment. Our Pennywise team works really hard to provide the Best customer service, with the Most useful product, at the Highest quality we can consistently achieve. So far we’ve received either 2nd or 3rd place Overall Excellence Awards...there is room for improvement - we have our eye on the 1st Place, and we’ll keep working towards that, and have fun doing it!” said publisher Patty.
“The group of people who make the Pennywise tick is the secret behind our success!” continues Patty. “We have a blast together, we support each other in and out of the office, and stimulate each other daily to greater creativity or more efficient service. Our potential is endless...and most importantly, we enjoy the process because we take pride, in serving our customers well, and in the quality of the end result!”
OCTOBER 10 District of Elkford—UBCM award recipient
The District of Elkford received an award from the Union of BC Municipalities for its innovation and leadership in building a sustainable community. There were 59 submissions considered for eight awards in the three categories of Best Practices, Leadership and Innovation, and Partnerships. The District submitted information on the following items to demonstrate its efforts to minimize its impact on the environment.
1. Strategic plan. 2. Rebranding initiative 3. Biodiesel use 4. No-Idling policy. 5. Automated waste collection. 6. Solar powered water circulators. 7. Energy study. 8. Lighting initiatives. 9. Intelligent Parking Lot Controllers (IPLC). 10. Water initiatives. 11. Water quality.
OCTOBER 9 Fernie prepares to honour the best of the year
As part of their annual Best of the Best celebration the Fernie Chamber of Commerce is recognizing a number of business people in the following categories:
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Community Futures Development Corporation
This award recognizes an individual business person who has demonstrated personal strength while inspiring motivation and encouragement in others. Top 3 Nominees (in alphabetical order)
Ryan Doehle
Jeff McRae
Gary Tomlinson
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada
This award celebrates the success of young Fernie and area entrepreneurs between the ages of 19 to 35. Top 3 Nominees (in alphabetical order)
Ryan Doehle
Maren Esch
Christopher Herron
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce
This award recognizes an outstanding Fernie and area business. Top 3 Nominees (in alphabetical order)
Blue Toque
Salvation Army Thrift Store
Scotia Bank
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE - Sponsored by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce
This award recognizes and promotes customer service excellence among local business. Top 3 Nominees (in alphabetical order)
Fernie Tea & Coffee House
IGS
Isosceles Business Systems
The winner in each category will be announced at the Awards Dinner Gala on Thursday October 18 at the Best Western Fernie Mountain Lodge. Awards Gala starts at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $45. Seating is limited. By reservation only. Call the Fernie Chamber for reservations or for more information at 423-6868.
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OCTOBER 5 Grand opening of new Firefighting
Training Centre at Selkirk College
Selkirk College and the Kootenay Firefighting Training Society is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of the new Firefighting Training Centre at Selkirk College, located at the Silver King Campus in Nelson.
The opening ceremony took place on Saturday, Sept. 29, and included several speeches by civic leaders and fire safety officials from across the region, live fire demonstrations, as well as cake and coffee.
The event is open to the general public.
Twelve rural and eight municipal fire departments in the West Kootenay region worked together to create a simple, efficient training curriculum to meet provincial firefighting training requirements.
The initiative has produced 1) a college certificate program for volunteer fire fighters that is recognized by the Fire & Safety Division of Justice Institute of British Columbia, and 2) a live fire training centre that is situated on Selkirk College’s Silver King campus and is operated by the Kootenay Firefighter Training Society.
Selkirk College gave the society access to the land, and the society is responsible for developing and operating the centre.
OCTOBER 4 Columbia Basin
Trust commits $10 million
over three years to community initiatives program
Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) announced that it has increased annual funding by $2 million and made a three-year, $10 million commitment to its Community Initiatives Program, including the affected areas funding component.
This Community Initiatives Program is CBT’s largest and longest running program, disbursing almost $13 million dollars since it commenced in 1998. A portion of the CIP funds are allocated to affected areas, the areas of the Basin most affected by dam construction under the Columbia River Treaty, while the remaining funds are allocated throughout the Basin.
CBT will be working closely with the program’s delivery partners to implement a number of measures to improve the delivery of the program.
For more information on the Community Initiatives Program and how to apply, please visit www.cbt.org or call 1-800-505-8998.
OCTOBER 3 Names in the news II
Cranbrook Physiotherapy Clinic is pleased to welcome back Cynthia Colten, who is resuming her practice as a physiotherapist at the clinic. Cynthia specializes in sport-injury related treatment.
The City of Nelson is welcoming a new community police officer, she is Janet Scott-Pryke. Scott-Pryke is 13-year veteran on the police force but is brand new to the community policing initiative.
Cranbrook is also the home of a new chiropractic clinic, called the Honu Family Chiropractic Owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Carl and Lianne Weber, the new clinic’s slogan is “changing the world, one adjustment at a time.”
Virginia Spring is the newest realtor at Cranbrook-based Royal LePage East Kootenay Realty. She is returning to Cranbrook after a dozen years in the Calgary real estate market.
The Sandman Hotel in Cranbrook has welcomed Dan Schellenberg to the premises as the hotel’s new manager. Schellenberg, well-known in the Kootenay hospitality industry, recently held a meet and greet to get to know the Cranbrook business community.
OCTOBER 2 Names in the news
Made in Kootenays success story. Geoff Ross-Smith’s Kootenay Kreamery, of Balfour is now producing 12 flavours of all natural ice cream which is available throughout the West Kootenays. How does a scoop of Organic Coconut Milk with Mango sound on your next cone?
Troy Sabastian is the new board chair at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook and Vice-Chair is Kimberley resident Sandra Roberts.
Kootenay Health Services in Nelson has announced the addition of Jan Summersides to their rehabilitation team.
The Crescent Valley’s Evergreen Natural Foods (only 20 minutes from Nelson or Castlegar) has expanded to open their brand new in-store café. They are offering a global infusion of foods and beverages.
There’s a new name in the Columbia Valley real estate business. The rapidly expanding real estate franchise, Maxwell, has opened a new sales office. It is owned and operated by veteran Columbia Valley realtors, Scott Wallace and Daniel Zurgilgen.
OCTOBER 1 New dental clinic underway
The corner of 9th Ave and 1st St. in Cranbrook has been a busy place lately. The construction of the new Baker Hill Dental clinic is full steam ahead and is slated for completion later this year.
The new building will house the practices of doctors David Burwash and Perry LeRose, who are combining forces to build the new clinic.
The new location is right downtown Cranbrook next to the Cranbrook Post Office and promises to be a very high visibility location for the Baker Hill Dental Clinic.
For more info call (250) 426-5865.
SEPTEMBER 28 Nelson’s Mayor upbeat about tourism
Nelson Mayor John Dooley made a welcoming address to the attendees at the recent Kootenay Rockies AGM held in the Queen City. He extended a warm welcome on behalf of the City of Nelson and commended Kootenay Rockies Tourism for leading the way in promoting tourism in the region.
“The importance of the tourism to a community like Nelson is significant, “said John Dooley, Mayor of Nelson. “The ads are right -- British Columbia is the best place on earth.”
After speaking about the banner year tourism operators had seen the West Kootenay, he addressed the issue of the surging Canadian dollar and the possible negative impact this could have on tourism. But even more important than currency exchange to Mayor Dooley was the issue of productivity. To be competitive all industries he said must be efficient and productive.
He concluded by again emphasizing the importance of tourism to Nelson and stated he believed tourism would continue to be a mainstay of the region’s economy and would continue to prosper in the future.
SEPTEMBER 27
Tourism BC official speaks at Kootenay Rockies AGM
At the recent Kootenay Rockies AGM held in Nelson, one of the guest speakers was Don Foxgord, vice-president of development, for Tourism BC. (Foxgord is also the publisher of Tourism BC’s British Columbia magazine)
He explained the Premier’s challenge which is double tourism revenues by the year 2015 to some $18 billion.
Here are some of the other highlights from Don Foxgord’s presentation were:
- BC Tourism has a marketing budget of $50 million.
- BC tourism generates some $9.98 billion in revenue.
- 163,589 visitors went through the doors of BC’s InfoCentres.
- The province generated $140 million unpaid media coverage.
- 44 per cent of all Canadian tourism stories which appeared in the North American press were about British Columbia.
- The new Golden, B.C. gateway Visitors Centre has seen visitation jump 80.5 per cent.
- British Columbia will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary in 2008.
- Aboriginal Cultural Tourism is coming on stream with a possible $10 million budget.
- There are over 200 Aboriginal Tourism business in BC.
- Aboriginal Tourism generates $35 million visitor spending throughout BC.
SEPTEMBER 26 Kootenay Rockies year-in-review highlights
The year 2006 will be a good year to remember in tourism circles—though early indicators are pointing to 2007 as shaping up to be an even better year for the Kootenay’s tourism trade.
Here are some highlights presented at the Kootenay Rockies recent AGM…
- With the assistance of flexible funding Kootenay Rockies invested $100,000 in a BC-wide “Best Place on Earth” campaign which generated 2,911 brochures requests.
- The Association built a multi-media download center as a resource for reporters and journalist seeking information about the region.
- Kootenay Rockies contracted with a video production company to generate B-Roll film clips for promoting the Kootenay region – primarily for the upcoming 2010 Olympics and beyond.
- Kootenay Rockies provided sponsorship and 700 logo-ed socks to all the participants of the Trans-Rockies Mountain Bike Challenge.
- The high profile GeoTourism Map Guide Project which is part of National Geographic’s Crown of the Continent initiative will hit the presses in early 2008.
- Kootenay Rockies has gone MOBI: The interactive program mirrors the Association’s website but works on your mobile phone.
- 55 consumer shows were attended and a new display tent was purchased.
SEPTEMBER 25 Getting the word out!
NEWS MAN: Media relations manager Bob Keating displays a number of “story sheets” he has prepared for editors and publisher worldwide. —photo by Keith Powell
How does the word get out about the Kootenays? Well, it’s no accident that printing presses near and far have been kept busy churning out a record amount of press coverage about the Kootenays. Much of the credit has to go to Kootenay Rockies Tourism’s new media relations manager, Bob Keating.
Bob Keating is familiar name to many in the Kootenays, having served as a reporter for CBC Radio’s bureau out of Nelson for a number of years and then most recently he worked as MLA’s Bill Bennett’s constituency manager.
At the Kootenay Rockies AGM in Nelson, Keating presented an informative rundown on the extensive media coverage the region is generating. This includes conducting 47 media FAM tours and coverage in 78 major publications with a combined circulation of 17.8 million with an advertising equivalence of some $2.5 million.
Some of the major publications giving the Kootenay Rockies region some ink include many of the biggest and best names in the media; the Toronto Star, the New York Times, Newsweek, the Daily Mail (UK) and National Geographic magazine.
Keating estimated that this editorial coverage was three times more valuable than if it was paid for advertising.
Do you have a unique story that would interest readers locally, in Canada or internationally, then let Bob Keating know, he is always on the look out for a good Kootenay story to pitch to the world’s finest writers and editors. He can be contacted at (250) 427-4838.
SEPTEMBER 24
Kootenay Rockies Tourism celebrates 30 years
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: (Left to right) Executive Director of Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Chris Dadson; Mike Smith, president and Don Foxgord, VP Business Development at Tourism BC, celebrate the association’s 30th Anniversary with a specially decorated cake. —photo by Keith Powell
The 18-person board, staff and many tourism operators of Kootenay Rockies Tourism gathered at the Prestige Inn in Nelson for the Destination Marketing Organization’s (DMO) 30th annual general meeting last week. Over 100 individuals attended the two-day meeting on Thursday September 20, 2007.
With a mandate to generate incremental tourism revenue, Executive Director Chris Dadson presented a year-in-review. Here are some of the numbers….
- Tourism is a $55 billion industry in Canada.
- It is a $9.98 billion industry in British Columbia.
- Tourism generates $878 million in revenue in Kootenay Rockies region.
- 67 per cent of Kootenay Rockies revenues comes from the domestic market primarily Alberta and B.C.
- 33 per cent of tourism revenues comes from international markets including the USA.
- Accommodation revenue in the Kootenay Rockies stands at $118 million.
- Accommodation revenue has tripled from $40 million in 1996.
- Canadian Tourism Commission unfortunately has cut tourism marketing by 25 per cent.
- Canada has dropped from the 7th most popular destination in the world to 12th.
SEPTEMBER 21 Point of View project underway
Construction of the new development overlooking the shores of the Columbia Lake called Pointe of View Developments in well underway! The long awaited construction project of the Pointe of View Developments on Lake Windermere now features two nearly completed buildings—with a third building slated to be started right away. Word is that the units are selling at fast pace.
This large scale new residential resort development will consist of three four-storey buildings with 220 suites featuring one and two bedroom plans. It is adjacent to the James Chabot Provincial Park and the Windermere Lake public beach.
The Pointe of View development is located as you enter the town of Invermere, it will be very close to all the amenities the Columbia Valley has to offer. The new development dominants the approach to Invermere and cannot be missed when you head into town.
Longtime Columbia Valley businessman Doug McIntosh is the company’s representative.
www.pointeofview.com
SEPTEMBER 20 Selkirk College offers home
support worker training in Grand Forks
New funding provided to BC Health Authorities by the BC Health Education Foundation (BCHEF) has created Home Support Worker-Residential Care Aide Certification training opportunities for area residents.
The new training spaces are available at Selkirk College's Grand Forks campus, with application for admission open to anyone interested in beginning a career in health care.
Residential care beds scheduled to become available in February of 2008 at the Hardy View Lodge residential care facility have been targeted by the BCHEF program to ensure that the newly created jobs can be filled with locally trained and certified Resident Care Attendant (RCA) workers.
"The demand for RCAs is high now and we expect it to continue to increase," said Ingrid Hampf, community administrator for Interior Health. "Our facility has faced staffing challenges in the past when we've had to recruit care aides from outside the area, so we're very excited about the opportunity to employ RCA graduates from within our own community."
SEPTEMBER 19 New Holiday Inn Express slated for Cranbrook
Venture West Lodging, a division of a hotel development and management company called Hospitality West Management Group, is set to build a new Holiday Inn Express on the north end of Cranbrook’s busy Cranbrook Street, which is affectionately known as “the strip.”
The premier location will position the new Holiday Inn Express as the first accommodation choice coming into Cranbrook from the east.
The company’s president is Brian Ostrander who has overseen three new Holiday Inn Express builds and four completed hotel conversions to Holiday Inn Express. Including converting the Lord Nelson Inn to Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites – Calgary Downtown in 2003. As well as opening new Holiday Inns in Regina and Saskatoon.
Construction slated to start in the near future with a projected completion date for the spring of 2008. For info see www.venturewestlodging.com.
SEPTEMBER 18 KSA support fund becomes the Nelson & District Credit Union Aspire Bursary
The merger last year of Kootenay School of the Arts (KSA) and Selkirk College has so far benefited the two schools in a number of ways, and the consensus view is that each has made the other stronger. However, it's really prospective students who stand to gain from this most recent development.
With the dissolution of the KSA cooperative and its board of directors, one of the school's most sizable endowments has been renamed and redirected in the form of bursary, which is intended to address the financial needs of local students attending KSA.
"We're very pleased that this very generous level of support will provide greater access for students who want to study at KSA but might be financially challenged in doing so," said Joyce Buckler, donor services coordinator for Selkirk College.
SEPTEMBER 17 Cranbrook Hires New EDO
The City of Cranbrook has hired Norma Stumborg as its new Economic Development Officer and Corporate Communications Advisor. Norma has a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management with distinction from Royal Roads University and several professional certificates and most recently was an Urban Planner in Nanaimo.
Norma Stumborg has 10 years of experience in economic development gathered from working for the Village of Telkwa in northern B.C. She was responsible for a variety of tourism and development initiatives for that community. At one time, Telkwa was B.C. fastest growing community---doubling in size in just a few years. She will now head up economic development projects for the rapidly expanding City of Cranbrook. Some initiatives she will be working on include a Branding Strategy, Economic Development Strategy and Business Attraction Program. Norma invites those who want to discuss community economic development ideas to stop by. Norma may be reached by direct line at 489-0232.
SEPTEMBER 17
Kootenay Lake Ferry kiosks
Two new Circle Routes Billboards were erected at the Kootenay Lake Ferry landings (Kootenay Bay & Balfour). Visitors waiting for the ferries are able to view the updated Circle Routes Map and check out the towns/cities, provincial/national parks and mileage along their selected route.
Source: Kootenay Rockies newsletter
SEPTEMBER 14 2007 TransRockies Challenge
The TransRockies Challenge is an epic mountain bike race through the heart of the wild and rugged Canadian Rocky Mountains. Held for the first time in 2002, the TransRockies has proven to be an adventure and experience like no other.
The TransRockies Challenge began on August 12 by travelling south from Panorama Mountain Village in the rugged Purcell Mountains.
The 600 participants from 25 countries faced 600 km of riding, with 12,000 metres of climbing, over the course of seven epic days before finishing in the historic downtown of Fernie on August 18.
Source: Kootenay Rockies newsletter
SEPTEMBER 13 Ski The Powder Highway
It is no secret, the Kootenay Rockies region of interior British Columbia is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding on the planet!
Consistent snowfall, deep powder and celebrated ranges like the Rockies, Monashees, Selkirks and Purcells, all accessed through scenic towns like Fernie, Nelson, Rossland, Golden and Revelstoke, make the region a must-visit for winter sport enthusiasts the world over.
Recognizing the need to have visitors explore the region and all the different products it has to offer, resort managers worked together to brand the Kootenay Rockies ski and snowboard experience under one guise, what is now known as, The Powder Highway.
The initiative was spearheaded by the seven major resorts in the region: Panorama Mountain Village, Fernie Alpine Resort, Red Mountain Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Whitewater Winter Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and the Island Lake Resort Group.
Look for 'Ski Powder Highway' crest/logo to appear in marketing campaigns from the region’s resort, heli, cat and backcountry lodge businesses in 2007/08.
Source: Kootenay Rockies newsletter
SEPTEMBER 12 Celebrating 30 years
The Tourism Industry Conference includes excellent guest speakers from Tourism BC, the British Columbia Centre for Tourism Leadership and Innovation, and Go2. A Year-in-Review will be presented by Chris Dadson (President) as well as other staff presentations. New, this year is an open panel, 'Stump the Staff', so gather your questions.
The Conference will take place at the Prestige Lakeside Resort. Other activities include a reception at Touchstone Nelson: Museum of Art & History, followed by a dinner at the Hume Hotel and the annual Silent Auction.
All of the Tourism Industry Conference and Annual General Meeting details are available to view at: KootenayRockies.com/Conference.
Source: Kootenay Rockies newsletter
SEPTEMBER 11 2007 Columbia Basin Trust symposium
Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) announced today that registration for its 2007 Symposium: Change and Sustainability in the Columbia Basin is now open.
This event provides an opportunity for residents to come together around the issues of change and sustainability in the Columbia Basin.
The Symposium takes place October 19 – 21, 2007 at Selkirk College in Castlegar. The Friday afternoon Symposium Fair, featuring exhibitors, kick-starts the weekend and provides a chance to socialize and mingle with other participants. Later that evening, special guest and former Premier of BC and Vancouver Mayor, Mike Harcourt will address the group.
Sessions on Saturday include topics such as sustainable communities and economic growth, the art and science demography, community decision making and strategies for development, workforce issues and affordable housing, and changing climate, changing Basin.
The symposium is free of charge. A detailed agenda and registration form can be found at www.cbt.org/2007symposium or by calling 1-800-505-8998.
SEPTEMBER 10
New Giant Tiger store to ROAR into Cranbrook
The North West Company (NWC) (TSX:NWF.UN) today officially announced plans to open its newest Giant Tiger store in Cranbrook, British Columbia. This will be NWC's first store in British Columbia and its 25th Giant Tiger store in western Canada. The 20,338 square foot Cranbrook store is set to open on September 29, 2007 at Unit 260, 1311 North 2nd Street.
"We're looking forward to bringing the Giant Tiger shopping experience to British Columbia shoppers, starting in Cranbrook this fall," said Edward Kennedy, President and CEO of Winnipeg-based NWC. "We recognize that Cranbrook is an important regional centre and we believe that area residents will be attracted to Giant Tiger's unique mix of current fashion merchandise at outstanding prices."
SEPTEMBER 7 Same GREAT SERVICE, only the name has changed!
Rita Crawford – as most people know her – recently got married. Her new name is Sheloff….Rita Sheloff. She is also known as the “Quilting Queen” of the Kootenay’s! “It’s still the same GREAT SERVICE people have come to expect from me – only my name has changed!” she says.
Her business, making Memory Quilts of all kinds, has been booming since she began a little over a year ago. To date she has made over 30 Memory Quilts – some even using silk ties. Quickly becoming recognized for her talents, she has made her quilts and pillows for clients as far away as Switzerland!
Judging from the Customer Comments on her website, Rita is a top-notch, professional quilter who is passionate about her work.
Since her opening, she has been nominated by Kootenay Business Magazine as Young Entrepreneur of the Year and by the Castlegar & Districts Chamber of Commerce for New Business of the Year, as well as for their Customer Service Excellence Award. She has also appeared in many newspapers and magazines, not to mention a couple television and radio programs!
She has also added many Ready-Made Items for Sale on her website. These include such things as a Reversible Jacket, Pillows, Pot Holders, Tissue Box Covers, Quilt Patterns she has designed, not to mention traditional Quilts and Table Runners. She definitely has been busy this past year! In addition to this, she has also recently added Quilting Services to her business. “I am happy to quilt a customers pieced quilt top for them,” she explains, “sometimes fellow quilters just don’t have the time, interest, or the confidence, to finish their work, but I would love to do it!”
Located in Castlegar, BC (Canada), Rita Sheloff encourages you to contact her today at (250) 365-2006 or check out her website at www.kcquilting.com.
SEPTEMBER 6 First female journeyperson at college
Lynda Jones of Cranbrook received her Journeyperson and Interprovincial tickets from the Industry Training Authority recently after completing her full apprenticeship at the College of the Rockies in the Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport Mechanic program. She is the first female student to do so.
After successfully completing the Pre-Apprenticeship program at COTR in the fall of 2002, Jones was sponsored by her employer, Mackay Contracting, for the four-year term of her apprenticeship. During this time she received the practical experience, attended the six-week training periods at the College and passed all the exams required to become a Journeyperson.
Dean of Instruction Ron McRae noted, “We have had numerous women take various Trades programs over the years, but I believe Lynda is the first one to achieve this level of success. We congratulate her on her accomplishment.”
Jones says she has always loved working with her hands and finding out how things work. “The instructors at the College were really good. They made sure we had the skills we needed for the real world but they also made it fun.”
Jones is currently working as a heavy duty mechanic for the Elk Valley Coal Corporation at Coal Mountain in Sparwood. “I learn something new every day,” she says, “I really enjoy that.”
For more information on the College of the Rockies’ Trades programs go to: www.cotr.bc.ca/Trades
SEPTEMBER 5 Names in biz news II… Hugh Emes in the new general manager at Mainroad Group’s Cranbrook division; Mainroad is the highway contractor that maintains the road through the region. Emes recently transferred from Langley.
Canadian Tire in Trail has changed hand, previous owner Jeff Endress has left and new owner Terry Gregorini has arrived.
Karl Jost is the owner/operator of a new board shop in Revelstoke. The new skateboard/snowboard shop is called Society Snow and Skate.
Rose Garbutt, is the new owner of the Ram’s Head Inn in Rossland. She purchased the business from Greg and Tauna Butler.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has new director of environmental services, Alan Stanley. He takes over from retiring director Raymond Gaudart.
SEPTEMBER 4 Names in biz news...
Retallack Resort and Alpine Adventures now known as Retallack in the hands of a new West Kootenay-based ownership group including Phil Pinfold, Kevin Arcuri, Chris McNarama and big-name skiers Seth Morrison and Tanner Hall.
Melanie Gettel is the a new face at the Express newspaper in Nelson, she joins the staff as sales and marketing representative.
Nelsonite Kevin Pollard is the new owner of Silver Spray Rafting, a company specializing in trips down the Slocan River.
Linda Gigliotti is the new owner at Creston’s Golden Her Health Food store on Highway #3.
Jeanette Riches is the owner of a new wellness spa in Invermere called Fusion Wellness Spa.
A new hardware store has swung open its doors in Fruitvale called Beaver Valley Hardware, the new owner/manager is Connie Dewell.
