Extending the Alberta advantage
New developments in Invermere ease many economic burdens
Invermere mayor Mark Shmigelsky believes the challenges of supporting the region’s shadow population are balanced by the benefit —Photo by Tanya Laing Gahr
An article in the August 4th Maclean’s magazine—entitled _Whose Town Is It_?—focused on the Columbia Valley’s shadow population, the escalation of housing prices faced by locals and the proliferation of multimillion-dollar homes in the valley owned primarily by wealthy Albertans. For those who live in the valley however, the issue isn’t new and isn’t wholly negative, though it does come with its share of challenges. Invermere mayor Mark Shmigelsky believes that in order to go forward from these challenges, you must first look back. “It’s always been (the Invermere municipal) council’s plan to have a mixture of densities within our community to deal with the recreational pressures,” said Shmigelsky. “I’ve been in the valley for 20 years and we’ve always had a very low vacancy rate. We’ve always had recreational pressure coming out of Calgary and there have always been affordability issues . . . so that really hasn’t changed. The only thing that’s changed is the number of units and the values.” Through experience, Invermere has learned that opening up real estate at a more affordable price point generally means that more Albertans can afford to buy vacation property. However, the shadow population has also been good for the town’s economy by creating jobs and generating income for existing and new businesses as well as for increasing the tax base in the community. “We’re an older community and we certainly have infrastructure challenges,” said Shmigelsky, “and we’ve been able to make sure that development pays for development and contributes to the long-term best interests of the community and not just the short-term needs.” The Alberta advantage extends to Invermere as well during a time of economic uncertainty facing other centres. While investment real estate has slowed somewhat, development projects are still moving forward within and around the town, generating jobs and income and securing current housing values in the valley. That said, Shmigelsky note that trying to deal with the growth pressures is a challenge for people living in the community. “A lot of people would like to go back 20 years,” he said, “but the problem is we’d find out that most of us couldn’t be here. Many of the services that we have now are because of growth. Many of the young families that we have now are because of growth and the jobs that come with it. Those will continue to be challenges in the future but we still need taxpayers to renew the infrastructure.” To that end, Shmigelsky said that many of the burdens on the taxpayer have been alleviated by new developments, which pick up the tab for many infrastructure upgrades. New developments are encouraged to contribute to the ecological health of the area in some manner. Nor can the contribution of the vacation homeowners be undervalued. “I think the valley’s been very fortunate to have the pressure that we’ve had,” he said. “And a lot of our Calgarians have long histories in the valley. There are second- and third-generation Calgarians that have been coming here with their folks or their grandparents and now they’re doing it with their kids and there’s that much more of an attachment.” As well, Shmigelsky said that increasingly, retirees and telecommuters and their families are moving from Alberta to become full-time residents. Through the years, these people have developed associations within the community and now serve on various committees, councils and volunteer boards. “It’s not just (that) everyone’s in here speculating and trying to flip property,” said Shmigelsky. “There are a lot of people who have a long-time attachment to the valley.”
Key Invermere contacts
Cranbrook, BC
Explore the wonders at Island Lake Lodge
Secluded in the peaks of Canada's Kootenay Rockies, Island Lake Lodge and Spa sits on 7,000 acres of pristine wilderness, above a picturesque mountain lake surrounded by an old-growth forest.
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Cranbrook, BC
Acreage lots for sale
Mountain Shores Acreage Estates is located on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, 45 minutes from Creston. The lots offer beautiful views of Kootenay Lake set against snow-capped mountains. We offer access to fishing, golfing, hiking and water-skiing. We are a short drive from the championship 18-hole Kokanee Springs Golf Resort at Crawford Bay and there are spectacular golf courses close by. Build your cottage or dream home at Mountain Shores and enjoy making memories in your own piece of paradise.
Mountain Shores Development Corporation
Cranbrook, BC
We pride ourselves on quality parts, service and products.
At Rocky Mountain Diesel, we pride ourselves on making quality repairs to all makes of trucks and trailers. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains we know the tough conditions that your truck is put through every day. As a Western Star Trucks dealer we are committed to providing our customers with the latest in diagnostic equipment and highly trained technicians. Our up-to-date facility can accommodate even the longest configurations. The trucks you operate are a big investment, and we want to help your company be successful. Call or stop by and see for yourself why we have been keeping trucks like yours on the road for over 20 years.
Cranbrook, BC
At The Bedroom Furniture Galleries, the customer comes first - and we mean it! We offer a 60 day home comfort guarantee on everything we sell. If your not completely happy with you purchase let us know and we'll be glad to find you something else or refund your money.
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Cranbrook, BC
Making beautiful home furnishings affordable
At Ashley Furniture Home Store, we make beautiful home furnishings affordable. Because the Ashley Team controls all processes from design to delivery, we are able to reduce our costs and pass these savings on to our customers as exclusive Ashley Furniture Home Store pricing. We are locally owned and operated, so we have better insight into the needs and preferences of our customers at the local level. Additionally, many of our stores actively participate in charitable events that promote the enrichment of their communities. Most significantly, we are committed to you, our customer, and want to ensure you have an excellent experience each time you visit us.
Cranbrook, BC
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies
Occupying more than 1,250 acres, Forest Crowne is the largest master planned community in the area, which is bordered by the 2,300-acre Kimberley Nature Park, Mark Creek, Kimberley Municipal Golf Course—and will have connections to the Kimberley Alpine Resort and to Nordic Ski trails.
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Richmond, BC
PHONE: 1-800-663-2872
Invermere, BC
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Invermere, BC
Vital statistics
- Population :: 3,002
- Number of businesses :: 515
- Supporting industries :: Forestry, mining, tourism, construction, trades and services
Vital contacts
- District of Invermere :: www.invermere.net
- Mayor :: Gerry Taft
- Chamber of Commerce :: www.cvchamber.ca
- Executive director :: Heather Overy
- Phone :: 250-342-2844
Biz Blog :: Keith Powell
A regular report on newsworthy business developments in the Kootenays.
Kootenay Insights :: Tanya Laing Gahr
An inside look at the initiatives and developments that help shape Kootenay communities.
At Work :: Sandra Albers
One-on-one with some of the Kootenay’s business leaders.
Biz Edge :: Danielle Cameron
The faces behind Kootenay businesses.
