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 Unfortunately the Ministry of Transport has withdrawn funding for a footbridge, at Spruce Grove, over the Columbia.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

NEW RDEK Elected Representative: In the recent election a member of our board and the Past President of the Business Association Wendy Booth was elected, She is a very energetic and knowledgeable member of our community and we know she will represent us with great wisdom.  Keep up to date with Wendy’s blog of Area F news.

CORIX WATER UTILITY: Application for increase. A committee has been formed to examine the application and to ensure all of our input.

LOT 48: No real change here; there are ongoing discussions between the various interested groups – first nations, Fairmont Resort, RDEK and the Province. The REDK has scheduled the review to go before the board in September 2009. Any pressure on the Province to make this a priority would be helpful.

FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS RESORT: Some projects have commenced. Approximately 1.5km of new hiking trail is under construction. The first section of the Mountainside Ridge single family subdivision to the north of the village is laid out and selling.

FAIRMONT FIRE DEPT: The last year has seen number of members leave the fire department resulting in a significant shortage of first responders. Chief Jim Millar is rightly concerned and has been in contact with the community association and the FBA for help. The Association and others groups have a plan to recruit trained fire fighters from Cranbrook requiring field experience. Accommodation for these recruits will probably be provided at the fire hall. Four rooms are proposed within the existing building at a minimal capital cost.. It is hoped that Fairmont Resort Properties and The Fairmont Hot Springs Resort will undertaken to provide employment to some qualified persons to assist with this problem. We would like to hear from any other potential employers and for any other ideas or help.

INCORPORATION STUDY: the community association has repeatedly requested the province to conduct a local area study. The local press announced that a valley wide study was imminent and a number of different municipal options would be examined. Our new RDEK representative Wendy Booth has been able to enlist the assistance of the RDEK Board and administration to encourage the province to engage in a valley wide study on governance. The study will cover all of Area F and include Windermere, FHS and Invermere. The Province has agreed to this and we should hear more from Wendy at the January 20th Town Hall Meeting.

FAIRMONT AREA RECREATION AND TRAILS SOCIETY: The trails society has been active with Fairmont Resort in their latest trail layout and has extended the plan to include all areas of the Fairmont fire district. Look out for the obligatory public meetings and open houses for more information. Some work has started with the RDEK to define what the community would want and how to proceed. Wendy Booth and the Administration has been very helpful and we are looking at what changes would be desirable to our Official Community Plan. Funding will be necessary to have the RDEK take responsibility for the insurance and maintence of any trails developed and we can expect another referendum on the subject after public meeting.

COLUMBIA LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK: The Minister has responded to our correspondence on public access via the park to beaches on the lake. A study by the BC Provencal Park authorities with stakeholders was expected at the end of 2008 and we await their report.

LOCAL BROADBAND SERVICES: A study of a broadband installation has been jointly funded by Nano-Fibre and members of the business association with a report on that study being expected in the near future.

WEB SITE: The Community Association is expecting to have a web page up and accessible in the New Year. This will be through a link from the Fairmont Business Association web site. Meanwhile we have now have an e-mail address: fairmontcommunity@gmail.com please send us your concerns and feedback.

MEMBERSHIP: Our membership fee is only $25.00 annually. Please contact Norm Macdonell, any board member, or simply send us a cheque here.

The board is always looking for feedback ideas or concerns from members.