All of this ambitious project is slated for completion by June 30th of next year in time for a gigantic beer festival
planned for July 1st.
Extending the theme to include the tremendous skiing potential of the city an alpine camping area is planned near the ski
hill to attract both winter and summer visitors. Another campground under the management of the Chamber of Commerce is
planned to accommodate the influx of tourists expected.
Student Council members from the high schools offered their support. The schools will probably become involved through
their home economic classes with fashioning theme costumes required for the Beer Festival. The technical school and senior
citizens are to become involved in the construction of benches, flower boxes and other motifs for the mall.
During the summer months plans call for importing a St. Bernard rescue dog to be a part along with appropriately costumed
handlers, of the mall scene. A wandering minstrel is also in the works providing a musical complement to the architectural
theme.
35 merchants in all gave their commitment to the project at the meeting held Thursday. Up to six stores will begin
remodeling almost immediately and some of the preliminary work preparing the streets for the mall is expected to start
shortly. A part of the project is hoped to be covered by funds from the federal LIP program.
A new committee is to be formed to handle the multiplicity of projects envisioned by the planning group. And who says
nobody wants to serve on such bodies - 36 volunteers came forth, exemplifying the enthusiastic support of the community for
the ambitious scheme.
Arrangements are being made to have the National Film Board prepare a before and after record. The plans have been described
as the most unique treatment of a small city in Canada; "quite fantastic" as one committee member exclaimed.
"This is really a turning point in the chapters of the history of Kimberley," said Bill Taylor, spokesman of the planning
committee. At the meeting he dramatized the future of the community by holding up a shovel telling the meeting "this is
what you will need to bury yourselves if you choose not to go ahead with the project." He pointed to declining property
values and the slow dying of the city if other areas of economic enterprise were not found to supplement and replace the
dependence on the single resource industry.
The planning committee said Kimberley could expect up to 50,000 visitors just during the coming summer to visit the Bavarian
City.
Another 20,000 are expected to join in the fun of the Bavarian Beer Festival planned for July 1st next year. Arrangements
are hoped to be made to bring in a German style band and to serve a special Bavarian beer in steins during the festivities.
It is expected directly and indirectly the Festival will provide some jobs for local students.
Based on the enthusiasm the some 70 businessmen, professional men and interested organizations at the meeting the committee
feels there is every reason to expect Kimberley will become the Alpine capital of Canada.
