Current issues
Water. We have written to both the Provincial Government and to Corix Water Utility pointing out that the proposed water rate increase is well in excess of inflation and that a number of points raised at the time of the approval of the last rate have yet to be addressed. We have yet to hear back from either operation, and at the time of writing we are awaiting notification of the commencement of the formal process to examine the rate increase.
Web site. We have a web site address but your Fairmont Community Association board is looking for somebody, hopefully a new board member, who has the knowledge to manage the site. We will publish web site details when we are confident that we have the site under control.
Fairmont Fire Department: The last years have seen a lot of changes. The latest news is good and our Fire Chief, Jim Millar, will be at our AGM to inform us in detail of the changes and improvements to our fire and Rescue services. The department does need several additional firefighters. Please consider joining and helping out our community.
Volunteer of the year. Paul Stewart is volunteer of the year. I am sure most of us know Paul, a long time resident and never aging Father Christmas of the ski hill. I am expecting Wendy Booth to tell us more about Paul at the AGM
Incorporation Study. There is supposed to be an area wide study to examine the options for incorporation in the valley. The Community Association has requested inclusion in the consultation process. Board president Tim Gould has spoken with Invermere and RDEK staff; but as yet nothing has happened at a local level. Both the Fairmont Hot Springs and Windermere areas have expressed a desire for an incorporation study. The possibility of the creation of a larger municipality encompassing Canal Flats, Fairmont, Windermere, and perhaps Radium and beyond has been proposed. The viability and desirability of such a large municipality will presumably be included in any government study.
Road bridges. Unfortunately the Ministry of Transport has withdrawn funding for a footbridge, at Spruce Grove, over the Columbia. This would have provided a safe route to the village from Spruce Grove and all points south. Our last enquiry to the MoT resulted in a reply suggesting we fund the bridge locally! We await further developments.
The `second` bridge at Dutch Creek is best described as being in storage and awaiting relocation to a site unknown. Highways have advised us that the temporary road to the bridge will be retained and upgraded to a pull out for viewing the Hoodoos.
Fairmont Area Recreation and Trails Society. The society was set up some time ago to help organize, plan, raise funds, manage and shepherd the creation of some public facilities in our area. These facilities could be as simple as setting aside land to preserve the wilderness, to put in walking and bike trails, or perhaps community recreation grounds. Work has started with the RDEK and Wendy Booth will be speaking on this matter at the AGM. The RDEK has been actively consulting with locals with a view to setting a referendum on funding sometime in the fall. If approved there will be an impact on your tax bill. It will be a small impact; probably only a few tens of dollars in the first few years. It is not intended as another tax grab, the money will be legally set aside from the general tax budget to be used only for the trail system. This is a proposal that has its origins locally and is for the benefit of locals and visitors alike. As President I support the scheme because I can see nothing but good coming from the plans. I look forward to the referendum.
Canada Day. This year is the second time that the Canada Day celebrations will be held up at the ski hill. The triathlon is once again being swam pedalled and run and has the potential for becoming a Fairmont Hot Springs fixture. Get up there and support the competitors and organisers, then stay up there to enjoy the family oriented entertainment through the afternoon. For those who do not want to drive there will be a shuttle bus running from the lodge in the afternoon. Canada Day is for you so please attend. We still need volunteers and sponsors.
NanoFibre. NanoFibre is at some of the stores and offices in Fairmont. At the request of developers it will be included in new projects. No decision has been made regarding the provision of services throughout residential Fairmont. NanoFibre have been guarded in their response to FCA enquiries but a representative has been invited to speak at the AGM.
Columbia Lake Provincial Park. Over at least the past 8 years the Lions Club, the Fairmont Business Association and your Community Association have contacted various provincial departments and employees to request an upgrade to the services in the park. As the official park plan states, the park is for local access to the lake and for day use activities. The Lions Club has volunteered to raise money to maintain and supervise an improved access and other facilities. Officially the position remains that the park authorities are waiting for various claims and issues to be settled. We not so patiently await an outcome.
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As Board President I hope that this newsletter is serving its intended function; to update the property owners and residents of our community and show that the board is at work. This last year has seen a problem with fire and rescue services that seems to be resolved, otherwise it has been a quiet but not a lazy year.
I look forward to seeing you at the AGM on the 21st August, 7.30pm at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.
Have a good summer
TIM GOULD
President
