Salute to Kimberley - Page 63
This year will also be remembered for the number of housing developments that started in Kimberley. While the town's first
seniors-oriented condominium opened at Collette Manor, two other projects aimed at the retired community got started on
Rotary Drive and at 49 Deer Park. More construction, headed by Skookum Developments, started on the ski hill.
Talk of an ambitious development project moved closer to reality at Kimberley West. One side effect was the official
designation of the Kimberley Nature Park, while Cominco is apparently steps away from signing its joint-venture with
Calgary's United Corp.
The continued progress of this development ranked as one of 1997's highlights for Mayor Jim Ogilvie.
Other highlights for the mayor include the new look of Deer Park Ave. and the improvements to Kimberley's water system.
"One highlight is the completion of the new water tanks that will provide better fire protection for the downtown area,"
says Ogilvie. "The major water line projects are now completed for this year."
From a policing perspective, Staff Sgt. Hans Burki also has a few memories that stand out as highlights. "I keep thinking
back to that gas leak in July. It was a problem that could have been disastrous with all the people downtown, but everyone
involved handled it really well," says Burki, recalling the leak that occurred as the old Watkins School was being torn down.
At the time, the JulyFest parade was going on in the next block.
The year 1997 was a big year for several local groups. The Kimberley Public Library celebrated its 70th year serving the
public. The Kimberley Pipe Band also turned 70. The East Kootenay Environmental Society marked its 10th year in action.
The list could go on, while you likely have your own highlights to add to this brief summary. But as you make your
resolutions this New Year, don't forget the reflections. Happy New Year!
1998 Master plan unveiled
The Skiing Louise Group's plan for Kimberley is being laid out in black and white before the public today.
The comprehensive document, which spells out what will take place at the Kimberley Alpine Resort and in what order is a
binding requirement of the sale agreement.
City of Kimberley officials structured the April 15 sale deal in such a way that Charlie Locke's Skiing Louise Group must
receive City approval for a resort master plan before the Trickle Creek Golf Course will be sold to the group this spring.
Furthermore, the City has said it will not put its stamp of approval on the plan until the entire document has formally
been presented to the public. Hence, today's long anticipated open house to present Locke's extensive plan for Kimberley's
resort facilities and area lands.
Alpine Village
The main focus of the plan is the Kimberley Alpine Village which will replace the current base/lodge area with a completely
new arrangement of hotels, condominiums, retail stores, restaurants, day lodges, a conference/recreational centre and a
high-speed quad chairlift to carry skiers from the village to the top of the mountain.
The village, located down the mountain from the current base site will include two public squares featuring alpine-inspired
architecture. The squares, complete with paving sites, sitting areas and water displays are expected to feature retail
spaces for resort-related businesses such as restaurants and gift shops.
"What we want to orient the retail rewards is those offerings that people would normally expect at a work environment like
food services, restaurants, bars, certain kinds of sports equipment sales and rental, retail souvenir and t-shirt shops,"
said Skiing Louise Group spokesman Paul Bates, adding that the intent is not to take any business away from existing
downtown Kimberley merchants. "Certainly the intention is to try to build on what we have downtown."
Recreation Centre
One other planned feature of the village area which is drawing great interest, from the community is the
conference/recreation centre. According to Kimberley Mayor Jim Ogilvie, there is a very real possibility of a joint venture
between the Skiing Louise Group and the City of Kimberley to build a recreation and aquatic facility which can be used both
by Kimberley's residents and resort guests.
Ski Hill
In terms of improvements on the ski hill itself, the plan calls for expansion which will more than double the existing
downhill skiing area at the resort.
"At buildout, the Mountain Development Plan proposes the addition of approximately 220 hectares of developed ski terrain,"
reads the master plan. "Complementing this, nine new ski lifts have been proposed to replace the existing lifts. The
implementation of the Plan has been designed to occur over ten phases, resulting in an ultimate Comfortable Carrying
Capacity (CCC) of 6,700 per day."
The current CCC at the Kimberley Alpine Resort is approximately 4,000 CCC per day.
"In the summer, the area will continue to develop and improve their facilities to offer serviced hiking, mountain biking
and sightseeing," continues the plan. "The base area will offer a variety of attractions that may include a climbing wall,
trapeze, alpine slide, horseback riding, etc."
Nordic area
The Skiing Louise Group also plans to preserve and enhance Kimberley's current cross-country skiing area.
"The trails will be expanded and improved over time. One such improvement is the 'around the mountain' trail that is
currently going through the approval process with B.C. Lands," reads the master plan. "In the summer, the nordic trails
will act as the main trails for mountain biking, interlaced with single track trails designed to cater to the full range of
mountain biking skill classes."
Resort trail system
The plan also calls for the establishment of a larger set of trails which will link all facets of the resort area, both
summer and winter. This paved trail is expected to run from the ski hill to the golf course, nordic trails and even to
downtown Kimberley.
"The primary valley trail will be a paved three-metre trail to facilitate pedestrians, bikes, roller blading, cross-country
skiing, etc," reads the plan.
Mountain Recreation Centre
The centre will continue to operate and offer tennis and squash to residents and visitors to Kimberley on a year-around
basis.
Real estate development
The plan proposes a mixture of real estate development consisting of hotels, condohotels, cottages, single family and
multifamily residential.
In addition to the current 1,686 existing bed units currently in place at the resort, it is proposed that another 6,000 bed
units be developed for a total of 7,686 bed units.
"All efforts have been and will continue to be made to ensure that the proposed
developments are compatible with the existing adjacent developments," reads the plan. "Green space and buffer zones will be
maximized.
To that end, no buildings will be allowed within 20 metres of the Trickle Creek fairways and a seven-metre
no-cut preservation zone will be established."
The real estate development is expected to eventually encompass the Trickle Creek Golf Course and extend from the resort
core down to and over the Happy Hans Campground.
Next
Salute to Kimberley - Index Page
Front Cover - Inside Front Cover
Page One 1896 - 1910, -
Page Two 1900 - 1911, -
Page Three 1912 - 1920, -
Page Four 1921 - 1924, -
Page Five 1925
Page Six 1926, -
Page Seven 1927, -
Page Eight 1928, -
Page Nine 1929, -
Page Ten 1930, -
Page Eleven 1930, -
Page Twelve 1931/32, -
Page Thirteen 1933 - 1936, -
Page Fourteen 1937 - 1939, -
Page Fifteen 1940, -
Page Sixteen 1941/42, -
Page Seventeen 1943, -
Page Eighteen 1944/45, -
Page Nineteen 1945/46, -
Page Twenty 1946/47, -
Page Twentyone 1948, -
Page Twentytwo 1948, -
Page Twentythree 1949, -
Page Twentyfour 1950/51, -
Page Twentyfive 1951, -
Page Twentysix 1952, -
Page Twentyseven 1953, -
Page Twentyeight 1954/55, -
Page Twentynine 1955, -
Page Thirty 1956/57, -
Page Thirtyone 1957/58, -
Page Thirtytwo 1958/59, -
Page Thirtythree 1959 - 1961, -
Page Thirtyfour 1961/62, -
Page Thirtyfive 1962/63, -
Page Thirtysix 1963/64, -
Page Thirtyseven 1964 - 1966, -
Page Thirtyeight 1967, -
Page Thirtynine 1968 - 1970, -
Page Forty 1970, -
Page Fortyone 1971, -
Page Fortytwo 1972, -
Page Fortythree 1973, -
Page Fortyfour 1974/75, -
Page Fortyfive 1975, -
Page Fortysix 1976, -
Page Fortyseven 1976, -
Page Fortyeight 1977/78, -
Page Fortynine 1978, -
Page Fifty 1979/80, -
Page Fiftyone 1981/82, -
Page Fiftytwo 1982/83, -
Page Fiftythree 1983/84, -
Page Fiftyfour 1985, -
Page Fiftyfive 1986/87, -
Page Fiftysix 1987/88, -
Page Fiftyseven 1988/89, -
Page Fiftyeight 1989 - 1991, -
Page Fiftynine 1991/92, -
Page Sixty 1993/94, -
Page Sixtyone 1995, -
Page Sixtytwo 1996/97, -
Page Sixtythree 1997/98, -
Page Sixtyfour 1998/99, -
Back Cover
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