COLUMBIA VALLEY More jobs than available workers The Columbia Valley’s economy is strong but faces challenges by TANYA LAING MOORE
DRAWN TO THE VALLEY: The Columbia Valley’s remarkable scenery and year-round recreational opportunities draw tourists and new residents from around the world. —photo by Jeffrey Cooper
The Columbia Valley—the region between Spillimacheen and Canal Flats—has long enjoyed the benefits of tourism.
The area boasts several world-class ski destinations, numerous challenging golf resorts, rejuvenating hot springs—including Fairmont Hot Springs and Radium Hot Springs, gorgeous lakes, unspoiled wilderness and wildlife galore. It is a favourite destination for Albertans wanting to take advantage of the beautiful scenery, outstanding four-season outdoor recreational opportunities and attractive investment prop-
erties. In fact, the shadow population is so great that it can swell the population of the valley to more than four times the number of permanent residents.
While this influx of visitors provides great economic advantages to the region and its businesses, it also presents a rising challenge: a shortage of labour in almost every sector.
Marie Birney from the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce said that while the forestry and mining industries are still the main drivers of the valley’s economy, the most significant increase in economic development has been in tourism. The tourism industry includes a number of supporting industries, including the real estate market, construction, hospitality and retail businesses.
“Right now, the economy is at full swing,” said Birney. “It hasn’t shown any signs at this point of letting down.”
Fairmont Hot Springs is a community that is almost entirely based on tourism—to a greater degree than many of the other Columbia Valley centres—and the permanent residents are mostly workers in the tourism industry.
The centre of the community is Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, and it is the primary destination for those visiting the area. However, real estate developments are in great demand, especially as a larger shadow population begins to spend more time in the area.
Birney said one of the greatest challenges in the valley is finding employees to meet the demand for skilled labour or seasonal jobs—a trend that is occurring provincewide and shows no signs of abating.
According to Birney, golf courses and resort properties are among the businesses most in need of staff. However, finding workers is only half the problem; finding them affordable accommodations can also prove troublesome. The rising cost of housing makes it increasingly difficult for seasonal employees to locate or afford a place to live, and more employers are placed in a situation of having to provide housing for their staff.
Building contractors in the region are solving the problem by purchasing older or under-utilized motels and converting them to staff accommodations. Birney expressed the desire that these would potentially be made available to other businesses or resorts in the region in need of employee housing once the developments are complete.
There is a push within the community of Invermere in particular to increase the number of lower-income houses, but with the demand for housing as great as it is, prices may still be well above what is affordable for seasonal workers.
Key Invermere contacts
Environmentally friendly living Biosustain Technologies is offering five-acre lots on new crown land in Nelson, Ymir and the West Kootenays as well as one-acre lots with waterfront living on the Columbia River; these developments feature engineered and sustainable building design with environmentally friendly land development. In addition to home design and building lots, Biosustain Technologies also offers construction services, topsoil, flagstone rock products and landscaping and property development.
Reaching MAX potential Roca Mines Inc. is focused on the outstanding mineral exploration and development potential located within British Columbia. Roca's primary asset is the MAX Molybdenum Project, located 60 kilometres southeast of Revelstoke, B.C. MAX is Canada's first new primary molybdenum mine in more than 30 years and B.C.'s first brand new metal mine in a decade. Regional economic benefits have already been realized, with community well-being and employee health as our primary goals Local environmental protection and community involvement are cornerstones to our success. Initial molybdenum concentrate production from the MAX Mine commenced in late 2007. Roca Mines Inc., and our wholly-owned subsidiary, FortyTwo Metals Inc., thank everyone who has taken part in building this exciting B.C.-based project.
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WEBSITE:
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Building a tradition of quality From commercial and institutional to industrial and specialized projects, Alfred Horie Construction Ltd. (AHC), has been building a tradition of quality since 1893. Over the past seven years, AHC has begun sharing its experience in the East Kootenay region. The team based in Fernie offers more than 30 years of hands-on expertise and skill in building a diverse range of buildings and homes. The newly renovated McDonalds restaurant in Cranbrook is an excellent example of AHC’s outstanding craftsmanship and unique design concepts.
Alfred Horie Construction Suite 103 5041 Regent St Burnaby, BC PHONE: (604) 291-8156
WEBSITE:
Sitka Log Homes 5454 Tatton Rd 100 Mile House, BC PHONE: (250) 791-6683 WEBSITE: www.sitkaloghomes.com
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Will-O-Bend Golf & RV Park Jaffray, BC PHONE: (250) 429-3377 WEBSITE:
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Far from ordinary Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Wildstone community provides a sense of harmony between the wildness of nature and the comforts of a resort lifestyle like no other.
Situated just outside Cranbrook, B.C., the 900-acre Wildstone community will be more than 2,500 homes, comprised of a diverse variety of accommodation and living opportunities; from single-family homes, side-by-side villas, townhomes, multi-family homes, condominiums, and more. As well, the Gary Player Group has partnered with Wildstone to develop branded Player communities within the resort, including the future Gary Player Luxury Cabins and Gary Player Estate homes.
At the heart of the community, The Village at Wildstone will be culturally vibrant and exude a small-town charm; embracing all the opportunities of the region’s four-season climate. The Village will play host to a true pedestrian experience and, at build out, will include an inviting variety of cafés, patios, boutique shops, festivals, restaurants and galleries.
The Clubhouse at Wildstone will offer a full array of service amenities such as gourmet dining, shopping, spa and fitness facilities. In addition, plans are underway for the first Gary Player Golf Academy and Gary Player Wellness Centre outside of South Africa.
The region is undergoing a dramatic economic boom that has seen the growth of many new modern amenities; the Canadian Rockies International Airport, the College of the Rockies (with which Wildstone will host an exclusive strategic alliance), and state-of-the-art health care facilities are all within minutes of Wildstone.
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Prestige Hotels & Resorts Prestige Hotels and Resorts are elegant, full-service, 4-1/2 star Canada Select hotels and resorts located in Cranbrook, Golden, Nelson, Radium Hot Springs and Rossland. Our luxurious rooms feature kitchenettes and theme Jacuzzi suites. Each guestroom features deluxe furnishings, refrigerator, coffeemaker, hairdryer, makeup mirror, iron and board, voice mail, data port, wireless high-speed internet access and pay-per-view movies.
Whether you are a leisure or corporate traveller, tour operator or government client, Prestige Hotels & Resorts are the perfect places to stay! Inquire about our theme suites or our get-away and recreation packages. Our friendly staff is ready to welcome you and offer our rare brand of hospitality.
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WEBSITE:
B&R Door 7880 Express St Burnaby, BC PHONE: (604) 420-7909 WEBSITE: www.brdoor.ca
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