Columbia Valley Pioneer - May 28, 2026

VALLEY VIEWS

PHOTOS SYD DANIS

VALLEY NEWS

?Akisq'nuk advancing

Submitted

?Akisq'nuk First Nation (AFN) is continuing to advance a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to water stewardship on ?amak?is Ktunaxa, including Columbia Lake and Lake Windermere.

As a witness to the serious consequences of unchecked demands and pollution on the health of the lakes and associated biota, AFN is tackling the issue head on with a holistic approach grounded in environmental science, regional collaboration and AFN’s longstanding stewardship responsibilities.

AFN Council has approved more than $200,000 to conduct bathymetric mapping of both lakes. The work will collect measurable data on lake depth and help better understand sediment movement and shoreline conditions to fill gaps in data, support informed decision-making, and clear up misinformation being reported by some groups.

AFN is also commissioning a labour market survey to better understand the impact of recreational use of the lakes, including ballasted boat use on the regional economy.

Assertions that lake conditions, wake impacts, or boating activity are unknowable are incorrect. These are measurable environmental conditions and AFN is investing significant resources to ensure decisions affecting the lakes are based on credible data, technical expertise, traditional ecological knowledge and long-term ecological sustainability rather than assumptions, hy-

potheticals, or speculation.

AFN’s stewardship initiatives include ongoing engagement with the District of Invermere, the Regional District of East Kootenay and neighbouring Indigenous communities, including the Shuswap Band.

Water stewardship has been identified as a strategic priority in AFN’s annual planning processes, demonstrating AFN’s ongoing commitment to protecting culturally and environmentally significant waters for future generations.

AFN will continue engaging with regulatory agencies, local governments, residents, and lake users as technical work progresses and additional information becomes available.

Chief Donald Sam said AFN is committed to working government to government with provincial and federal governments to protect their homelands.

“Our people have stewarded these lands and waters continuously for more than ten thousand years.” (Sam noted that ?akxam'is q'api qapsins refers to their original relationships to all living things.)

“While colonization disrupted our ability to fully exercise those rights, it did not erase our responsibility to protect these waters,” he pointed out.

Sam said the ?Akisq'nuk First Nation will continue to lead with credible science, respectful collaboration, traditional ecological knowledge and evidence-based stewardship that reflects their obligations to future generations.

POOLS & SPAS ROSS’S POOLS & SPAS

Team rescues lone cyclist

Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) responded to an injured mountain biker on Mount Swansea recently.

Members, including the CDFL (Class D Fixed Line) team and ground crews quickly responded to stabilize and transport the individual to British Columbia Emergency Health Services, with assistance from Windermere Fire Department.

The call-out provided an opportunity for CVSAR to utilize a new response capability: helicopter rescue (CDFL) where one or more rescuers and subjects are suspended on a line attached to a helicopter.

This new capability means that members can access subjects faster and deliver medical treatment sooner, resulting in improved safety for both the team and subjects.

Category 3 fires banned

Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

People are being reminded that a Category 3 open fire ban has been implemented in the Southeast Fire Centre.

This category refers to any fire that burns material concurrently in three or more piles, each not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width. It also applies to material in one or more piles, each exceeding two metres in height or three metres in width.

Category 3 also includes one or more windrows not exceeding 200 metres in length or 15

metres in width, stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres).

Air curtain burners and carbonizers are also prohibited.

For full details, visit: https://blog.gov. bc.ca/.../category-3-open-fire-to-be.../

While this prohibition does not include Category 1 campfires or Category 2 open fires, it is important to continue exercising caution during any type of burning.

To learn more about open fire and safer burning visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/.../fire-bansand.../open-burning

Indigenous education lauded

Rocky Mountain School District No. 6 reports that significant progress has been made in Indigenous learning outcomes.

The board recently received an update on the status of Indigenous education initiatives for the 2025-26 school year.

The school district seeks to improve achievement and supports for Indigenous students while increasing the presence of Indigenous culture, languages, and history. It also aims to support teachers in bringing Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into their teaching practice.

The data shows there were 747 Indigenous students in the 2025-26 school year, with 719 students consenting to receive Indigenous supports and services. There are 15 nominal roll students residing on-reserve at ?Akisq'nuk First Nation, and 31 nominal roll students residing on-reserve at Shuswap Band.

The board reports that the Indigenous fiveyear completion rate (Dogwood only) has increased by 20.7 percentage points, rising from 62.7 percent in 2020–21 to 83.4 percent in 2024–25. This “represents one of the strongest gains in the province.”

The six-year completion rate has similarly increased by 20.1 percentage points, from 67.9 percent to 88.1 percent over the same period. These gains reflect sustained efforts across schools to improve supports, relationships, and pathways for Indigenous learners.

While meaningful gains have been made in completion rates, the data shows persistent gaps in Foundation Skills Assessment literacy and numeracy outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, particularly in Grades 4 and 7. Although chronic absenteeism rates for Indigenous learners have decreased significantly in Grades K–7, rates remain high at the secondary level.

DTSS play gets radioactive

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

In the David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) senior theatre class’s play this year, the ruthless machinations of Machiavellian corporate greed collide with the dogged determination of radioactive paintbrush-wielding women en route to becoming early labour law pioneers. That’s a lot to digest off the hop, but stick with it.

The play is based on real life events, follows various characters as they wade through the moral quagmire underpinning an important-yetoften-forgotten legal battle, telling a tale that is by turns tragic and inspiring.

There’s many sides and conflicted inner emotions, courtroom drama, top-notch 1920s period costumes, a corrupt dentist on the take, and great special effects. That radioactive paint, for instance, glows in the dark, which makes for some can’t miss scenes.

The class is performing D.W. Gergory’s ‘Radium Girls’, which relates the story of the female dial painters in the First World War and the 1920s. At the time, radium was hailed as a miracle substance, but the women later suffered horrible radium poisoning, and had to fight for justice against the medical system and their dishonest employers, ultimately helping change workplace safety standards.

The radium in the title of the play (which is set in New Jersey) refers to the chemical element, not the Village of Radium Hot Springs. (Incidentally, the famous Radium Hot Springs pools do contain trace amounts of radon gas, a natural byproduct of radium decay, thereby providing at least a tangential eponymic connect between the play and the Columbia Valley).

The play is either deeply political, or not political at all, depending on which DTSS senior theatre class student you ask.

Many of the senior theatre students did Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ last year, and “we wanted to do something challenging again this year,” said Seth Reivaj, who plays the role of president of the company employing the dial painters.

Like ‘The Crucible’, ‘Radium Girls’ is interesting and has a lot of depth to its characters, added Sydney Brooks, who plays the role of Katherine and leads the play’s special effects group.

In the past the senior theatre class has done a lot of comedies, but “comedies tend to have flat characters,” she elaborated.

Another similarity between the ‘Radium Girls’ and ‘The Crucible’ is that both have plenty of lines for the actors playing the main characters to memorize. Amanda Paccagnan plays Grace Fryer in ‘Radium Girls’ and has 463 lines. Seth, playing the company president, has 420.

The First World War and 1920s setting offered great scope for props and costumes, which the students also enjoyed.

“I love doing the costumes ... it’s like a puzzle, and you’ve got to find all the pieces,” said Kyla Verge, who plays Grace Fryer’s mother and who is also the play’s costume manager.

Theatre class gives students an opportunity to

express themselves in ways they simply can’t in most other classes, said Amanda.

“It’s much more collaborative than any other class too,” added Sydney.

Arsyn Hegan, who plays the corrupt dentist. described the theatre class “as a tight-knit family.”

“It’s a unique experience. It’s about as close as you can get in real life to ‘High School Musical’,” added Jackson Turner, who plays Tom.

The class includes 29 students in Grades 10,11 and 12.

“They have been hard at work on building sets, finding and making props, putting together great costumes and learning a lot of lines. There are almost 40 characters and a lot of fast scene changes, so this has been one of the more challenging plays I’ve ever tackled,” said theatre class teacher Shelley Little. “We’ve had to figure out some special effects to get the glow-in-the-dark paint on stage, which has been a lot of fun.”

Little said she’s impressed with her students’ creativity and excitement, and how they’ve come together through the process of rehearsals.

“It’s been great to see their interest in the history of this time period, and especially the cruelty of a corporation that so clearly put the interests of profit and reputation ahead of any care for their employees. They’re really invested in how they embody these characters with sympathy and depth. I’m very proud of them,” Little added.

The class performs ‘Radium Girls’ Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13th at the DTSS theatre. Both shows start at 7 p.m. Snacks from DTSS’s culinary arts class will be for sale during the intermission.

Tickets for the performance are $12 for adults and $7 for youth, and are available at Four Points Books, or at Stolen Church (cash only).

SHOW & SALE for Margie Gibb’s Paintings & Art Supplies

JUNE 6 - 12-3pm

Columbia Valley Centre

New and used art supplies including easels, brushes, table palettes, canvases, canvas boards, and picture frames.

All money raised goes to Margie’s Scholarship Fund to assist high school graduates pursue a career in primary education. Cash or cheque payments accepted.

All purchases and donations of $25 or more will be issued a tax receipt.

Celebration of Life - Open House Alice Katherina Hale

September 18, 1934 – December 17, 2025

With love, gratitude, and cherished memories, the family of Alice Hale warmly invites the community to gather in celebration of her life. Alice was a creative force, teacher, accomplished potter, gardener, traveller, choir member, badminton player and longtime contributor of the Columbia Valley arts community. Alice lived life on her own terms - independent, talented, determined, and unapologetically herself. A trailblazer in many ways, she left a lasting mark on the Columbia Valley through her creativity, curiosity, and commitment to the arts. Please join us for an Open House Reception: Saturday, June 13 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM Pynelogs Cultural Centre – Invermere

Friends, neighbours, fellow artists, and all who crossed paths with Alice are invited to drop by, share memories, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate a woman who lived boldly, creatively, and with great passion for life. PLEASE RECYCLE

Camp Squat

Concerns regarding squatters in the Columbia Valley pale in comparison to some of the homeless camps set up in the Okanagan and the Lower Mainland. Those make the ones here look rather orderly.

The camp on Peters Hill in Invermere has been getting some unwanted attention lately from perturbed residents and the RCMP, who really can’t do much about it unless a crime has been committed. The people in trailers and campers aren’t legally permitted to squat there, but they aren’t doing much harm, just surviving. And some change locations every couple of weeks to stay one step ahead of the law.

The camps in the Okanagan and Vancouver area are littered with tents and garbage, and no doubt drug activity occurs on site. Fires and assaults are also problems that local authorities have to contend with. So, compared to the rest of the province, the Columbia Valley has it quite good.

One camp near the river channel in Penticton was dismantled by local authorities and the provincial government because it occupied Crown land. Incidents of fire, theft, and assault tarnished the camp and led to the hiring and posting of a security guard there. Today, it’s a much smaller contingent of campers, and you don’t hear nearly as many complaints or reports of hooliganism.

Homelessness and the encampments that spring up overnight are unfortunately here to stay regardless what community you live in. Many people ask: how did it get so bad so quickly? The answer isn’t easy and involves many factors that scream for attention. The solution? Perhaps a provincial fund or reserve to build safe and proper encampments for those needing temporary shelter. They would need to have a buffer from the public and be monitored by security 24/7, and anyone breaking the rules would be banned from the site.

Speaking of wrongdoing, it was refreshing to see (in last week’s RCMP report), a shoplifter pay penance after stealing a pair of shoes from a store in Invermere. This was a case where the ‘restorative justice’ program kicked in instead of tying up the court system. It's good to see minor crimes being dealt with this way. It not only makes things right by restoring justice, it also puts a little faith back in the system.

Lyonel Doherty, editor

OPINION

Transfer station a real mess

The situation at the Regional District of East Kootenay transfer station in Fairmont Hot Springs has reached a breaking point.

Every summer — especially during long weekends — the station becomes overwhelmed, but this year the level of garbage and debris left behind has sunk to a new low. Bags piled outside bins, items dumped directly under the “No Dumping” sign, loose waste scattered across the site, and recycling abandoned wherever convenient. At some point, we have to ask: whose responsibility is it to clean up this mess? The recycling truck driver? The garbage hauler? Your mother?

What is the solution? Hiring staff to monitor? Ask volunteers to “police” the transfer station? Convert it to a staffed facility like Invermere’s? Close the station altogether?

These are not hypothetical discussions. They were part of the RDEK survey circulated last year. The reality is that if abuse of the system continues, changes are inevitable, and taxpayers will likely bear the burden.

On a personal level, I am horrified by what I have seen. This is not respectful. It is not responsible. And it reflects poorly on full-time residents who care deeply about this community.

Let’s be honest: during the off-season, the system functions reasonably well because most full-time residents use the station respectfully.

Of course, some will argue that the RDEK should simply provide more frequent pickups over long weekends. But who will pay for that?

If we want to keep convenient, affordable transfer stations in rural areas, then visitors and part-time homeowners need to start treating them — and the people who maintain them — with far more respect.

Anne-Marie Grant, Fairmont

LETTERS/OP-ED

Associations present STR report to RDEK

The Fairmont Hot Springs and Windermere Community Associations recently presented the report, 'Managing STR Density in RDEK Electoral Area F' at the RDEK's Planning and Development Services Committee meeting on May 7.

The report focuses on the growing concentration of STRs within single-family residential areas in Electoral Area F and the impacts on neighbourhood livability, housing availability, and local infrastructure.

While STRs contribute to the local tourism economy, their increasing density in single-family residential areas is creating measurable impacts. In some neighbourhoods, STR densities range from approximately seven per cent to 42 per cent, with the highest concentrations occurring at the street level. These conditions have developed over time through incremental approvals without clear limits or a framework to assess cu-

mulative impacts.

In Fairmont Hot Springs, concerns are heightened by pressure on infrastructure. The local water system has experienced significant failures over the past year, resulting in water restrictions due to over consumption and boil water advisories.

The report notes that the province, through the Housing and Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 25), has provided local governments with both the authority and expectation to use density management tools to protect housing availability and manage STR growth.

Based on observed conditions in Area F, the report recommends three key measures:

• Limit of three STRs per street or 15 per cent of dwellings, whichever is lower

• Minimum separation distance of 60 metres (197 feet) between STRs

• Neighbourhood-level cap of up to 10 per cent of dwellings

These tools are intended to work together to manage both the number and distribution of STRs. They provide clear, measurable thresholds to guide decision-making.

The Fairmont Hot Springs and Windermere Community Associations state that these tools can be implemented immediately within the existing STR Temporary Use Permit (TUP) framework and will support the transition to business licensing.

The goal is to provide a consistent, practical approach to managing STR density that achieves a balance between the local tourism economy and housing availability and livability in singlefamily residential areas.

Colleen Roberts, WCA Planning Commitee

New physiotherapist joins Premier Physio

Columbia Valley Pioneer Staff

The Columbia Valley’s newest physiotherapist is homegrown.

Mya Wiegert joined Premier Physio earlier this spring. She chose to launch her career in Invermere because it’s her hometown and it’s where her passion for helping people heal and reach their athletic goals was first sparked.

Wiegert’s last name may already be familiar to many local residents — her dad Chris owns NCM Construction and her mom Becky is a longtime personal trainer and fitness instructor.

Like many kids in Invermere, Wiegert grew up spending a lot of time outdoors and playing sports such as volleyball, basketball and soccer. She picked up a few sports injuries along the way, as many athletes do, and started going to physiotherapy with Premier Physio owner Lindsay LeBourdais for treatment.

The physio helped, and Wiegert was fascinated by the science behind it.

Inspired, she studied kinesiology at the University of Calgary after graduating from David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) in 2019. She then did a Master’s degree in physical therapy at the University of Alberta, finishing this past December. The practical components of both her undergraduate and Master’s degrees put her in physio clinics, which cemented her enthusiasm for physiotherapy.

“The more I learned and the more I saw, the more I realized the impact you can have on people,’ said Wiegert.

About a month ago her passion officially became a profession when she joined the Premier Physio team.

Invermere has been “a really good place to come back to,” said Wiegert. It’s a fun place to live, and the community’s active mountain-loving population plus its relatively high proportion of seniors means there’s plenty of prospective physio clients too.

Her first month on the job has gone well, with great feedback so far, and LeBourdais and fellow Premier physiotherapist Jane Armstrong have been good mentors, explained Wiegert. “The way they practice is the way I want to practice – very hands on, and focused on a long-term approach that promotes self management for clients, instead of clients relying on repeatedly coming back to the physio.”

Later on in her career, Wiegert hopes to specialize in pediatrics (“I get a lot of enjoyment out of helping kids,” she said) and in vestibular and concussion rehabilitation.

When not in the Premier Physio clinic, you’ll find Wiegert out on the lake, hiking, playing volleyball, or on the ski slopes. She is excited to be back home in Invermere to help support her community.

Visit www.premierphysioinvermere.com to find out more or to book a consultation with Wiegert.

Accepting New Patients

Same-Day Appointments Available Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation

Paediatric Physio Orthotics

Pelvic Health Physio Hand Therapy and Custom Splinting

Contact 250-342-1457 to book or head to premierphysioinvermere.com

Secwepemctsin language course offered

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Local nonprofit Outdoor Learning School and Store (OLSS) will offer a Secwepemctsín (Shuswap) language course this summer.

The school has facilitated Ktunaxa language courses for years, but this will be its first ever Secwepemctsín course.

“I’m really excited. It’s something I’m sure people will enjoy connecting with and learning from,” said OLSS director of Indigenous learning Jenna Jasek.

The course is introductory, and will include topics such as greetings, useful everyday words, how to tell someone where you live, and so on.

But even at a beginner level, class participants will glean understanding into the deep connection between language and the

natural world for Shuswap people, explained Jasek. “The language is built from the land.”

The Secwepemctsín course will encompass both Eastern and Western dialects, will run online on Tuesdays through July and August, and is open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous adults.

For Indigenous participants the class is a chance to “share who we are, celebrate our culture, and learn about our own language, which for many people has been lost. Reclaiming that is an important part of healing,” said Jasek.

For non-Indigenous participants, the class is an opportunity to participate in a small, but still meaningful way in the larger process of reconciliation. “It shows respect and compassion,” said Jasek.

The course instructor is Samantha Matthew and the host is Jasek.

Matthew is St'uxtéwsemc, a member of the Bonaparte First Na-

tion, and is currently working on a bachelor degree in Secwepemc language proficiency. Jasek has been studying Secwepemctsín for several years and graduated from the Secwépemc Language fluency certificate program in 2025.

Learning a new language is a challenging but rewarding experience, said Jasek. “It’s a different way of living and breathing your life. It changes how you see the world, and does give you a different perspec-

tive.”

OLSS Indigenous language learning coordinator Alyson McMullen (Swampy Cree) outlined that the organization’s intent with its language courses is not so much fluency as it is to provide a spark that inspires and encourages further engagement with the language and broader revitalization efforts.

Visit outdoorlearning.com/ event/secwepemctsin-course-summer-2026/ to learn more.

Experience relaxation in every season with Arctic Spas

Why wait for perfect weather? With our all-weather swimming spas, you can swim, train, and unwind year-round - no matter what Mother Nature brings.

Cold tubs - Refresh, recover, and recharge with invigorating cold therapy

Hot Tubs - Melt away stress with soothing warmth and hydrotherapy jets

Saunas - Modern life is loud and stressful. A home sauna is the ‘off-switch’

Dive into comfort. Discover Arctic Spas today. Turn your backyard into a personal wellness retreat - 365 days a year.

Show Room Hours Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday 10:30am-3:00pm Sunday and all holidays CLOSED Valley Spas

Thursday May 28

10:00 -11:00am - Seniors Fitness Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-ups and indoor walking $2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events.

1:30pm - Floor Curling at the Invermere Seniors Hall.

6:45pm - Texas Hold'em Poker Invermere Legion, $30 buy-in.

Friday May 29

All Weekend - The 2026 Rocky Mountain Rally, 2nd event in the Canadian Rally Championship and the Western Canada Rally Championship. Experience the thrill of the Rocky Mountain Rally, where high speed rally cars race through the stunning mountain roads around Invermere and Radium.

Join us for an action packed weekend of speed, scenery and community fun! Perfect for spectators of all ages! Service Park near Eddie Mountain Arena in Downtown Invermere.

Full event details: rockymountainrally.com

10:30-11:30 - Story Time - Invermere Public Library. Join us for stories, songs and a craft. Geared towards preschool age, but all welcome to attend.

10:00am - Tennis for Everyone - Columbia Valley Mixed Doubles Tennis, Rotary Park Tennis Courts.

12:00 - Soup Day Edgewater Community Hall $10 per person. All welcome. Soup or chilli. Buns/Biscuits.Cornmeal muffins. Desserts. Coffee/Tea. Hosted by Edgewater Seniors

1:00pm - Duplicate Bridge at the Invermere Seniors Hall.

2:00-3:00pm - Friday Funday at the Invermere Public Library. STEAM and art activities geared towards kids aged 6-9, but all welcome to attend. Drop off for ages 6+. Registration required

6:30pm - Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion. Members and guests welcome.

A forest waterfall soothes the soul and empties the day's burdens.

Saturday May 30

10:30 - 11:30 - Story Time - Invermere Public Library. Join us for stories, songs and a craft. Geared towards preschool age, but all welcome to attend. 11:00am - 12:30pm - Lego Club at the Invermere Public Libray.. Drop in for free play with Lego and Duplo. This is not a supervised event.

4:00 - 6:00pm - Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion. Members and guests welcome.

Sunday May 31

2:00pm - Cribbage and Darts Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome.

Monday June 1

10:00 -11:00am - Seniors Yoga Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-ups and indoor walking $2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events.

10:00am - Tennis for Everyone - Columbia Valley Mixed Doubles Tennis, Rotary Park Tennis Courts.

1:30pm - Cribbage & Darts at Invermere Seniors Hall.

6:30pm - Fun Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall.

Tuesday June 2

10:00-11:00am - Seniors Fitness Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-ups and indoor walking $2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events.

10:30 -11:30am - Baby Goose at the Invermere Public Library. Come and learn songs and rhymes, listen to stories, and meet new friends! This program is free for babies and their caregivers! Hosted by CBAL. Registration required.

4:00 -5:00pm - Youth Zone at the Invermere Public Libary. Programming for kids aged 9-14. A variety of art and STEAM activities. Registration required.

6:30 - 8:00pm - Second Winds Community Band Practises every Tuesday at the Catholic Church in Invermere. New members are welcome.

Wednesday June 3

10:00 -11:00am - Seniors Yoga Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-up and indoor walking-$2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events.

1:00pm - Duplicate Bridge at the Invermere Seniors Hall.

11:00am - Tennis for Everyone - Columbia Valley Mixed Doubles Tennis, Rotary Park Tennis Courts.

2:00 -3:00pm - Sewcial Hour Drop in with your textile projects or join us and have a cup of tea while you socialize with other makers. All welcome! No registration required.

6:30pm - Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion. Members and guests welcome. Add Your Event to our NEW Weekly Events Listing!

Want to see your community event listed in the Pioneer? Submit event details to admin@columbiavalleypioneer.com

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

New wellness clinic opens in Fairmont

Submitted

A new wellness destination has opened its doors in the Columbia Valley, offering both locals and visitors a place to relax, recover, and reconnect with their health.

Massage for Health and Wellness officially opened on January 1, 2025, and is located in Fairmont Hot Springs at 4985 Hot Springs Road. Owned and operated by Winnie Prendergast, the clinic brings decades of experience in massage

Massage for Health & Wellness in beautiful Fairmont Hot Spings, BC is hiring!

We are currently looking for RMTs, health professionals, and a nail technician to join our growing wellness team.

If you are passionate about health, wellness, and helping others, we would love to hear from you.

Please call or email Winnie for inquiries: * 250-688-2299

eastkootenaymassage@gmail.com

therapy and natural healing to the community.

Winnie has owned a successful massage clinic in Calgary for 28 years and has also been providing mobile massage services throughout the Columbia Valley, along with treatments from her home in Canal Flats, for the past 20 years.

“When the opportunity arose to open a clinic in Fairmont, I saw it as a chance to provide muchneeded wellness and health services in an area I am lucky to call my home” says Winnie.

At Massage for Health and Wellness, Winnie and her team of Registered Massage Therapists and spa practitioners focus on helping clients reduce pain, relieve stress, improve mobility, and support overall wellness in a calm and welcoming environment.

Services include therapeutic, relaxation, pregnancy, couples, Lomi Lomi, and deep tissue massage, with treatments tailored to each client’s individual needs. Clients can also benefit from myofascial cupping and release, shockwave therapy, craniosacral therapy, Reiki, somatic healing, ear candling, mud wraps, body scrubs, and OM Organics facials.

Yoga and fitness classes are also available to support strength, flexibility, and overall health while overlooking the beautiful Fairmont mountain range.

Whether clients are recovering from injuries, dealing with chronic pain, managing stress, or simply looking to relax and recharge, the clinic offers a variety of services designed to help people feel their best.

In addition to treatments, the clinic proudly carries local wellness products including OM Organics facial products, White Buffalo soap, shaving bars, and lip balm.

Mobile massage services throughout the Columbia Valley and treatments at the Canal Flats

location continue to be available for clients seeking care outside the Fairmont clinic.

Winnie says her lifelong passion for natural healing inspired her career path. After completing her Alberta RMT massage training in Calgary with honours 27 years ago, she built a career helping people improve their health and quality of life through hands-on care. She has also expanded her training internationally by taking massage courses in Thailand and India, further enhancing her knowledge of traditional healing techniques and wellness practices.

“I still love what I do and enjoy helping people feel better so they can enjoy life more,” says Winnie.

Choosing Fairmont Hot Springs as the home for the business felt like a natural fit.

“It’s close to home, the space is in a great location with an amazing view, and it’s a service that the Fairmont community and visitors can truly benefit from,” she says.

Winnie hopes to continue expanding the wellness services offered at the clinic in the future by welcoming additional health practitioners such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, osteopaths, and nutritionists to create a more complete wellness destination for the Columbia Valley community.

Outside of work, Winnie enjoys spending time in the mountains skiing, biking, hiking, and kayaking.

Massage for Health and Wellness operates by appointment only, with flexible hours generally running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, with earlier and later appointments available when needed.

For more information or to book an appointment, visit massagefairmont.com or follow Massage for Health and Wellness on Facebook. Or call 250-345-0348. Cell contact is 250-688-2299,

Valley couple to star in 'Wild Homes'

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

A homebuilding Columbia Valley couple now living in Nova Scotia are set to star on television.

Lloyoll Prefabs owners Jonathan and Caralee Lloy build glass-filled, Nordic-style modular houses for a living, putting them together in their South Shore warehouse, then delivering them to clients all over the continent. And when they say all over the continent, they mean it. The property owners who buy Lloyoll homes often live in remote spots, deep in forests, perched atop big cliffs, or alongside the ocean.

Simply getting the prebuilt houses in place can be the trickiest part of the business. It’s also engrossingly entertaining; which is why Ocean Entertainment Ltd. features Jonathan and Caralee in its new ‘Wild Homes’ television series. The first season, with five episodes, is set to air on CTV beginning in June.

“It’s really exciting. It’s been fun. It’s a lot of extra work, of course, but it’s been great,” Jonathan told the Pioneer last month. At the time, filming for the first season had long wrapped up, but shooting for the second season was still ongoing.

Caralee had previous experience with the film industry, having worked as a production assistant in Panama while backpacking through Central America, not long after graduating from David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) in 2001. So the couple had some idea of what to expect when they agreed to be part of ‘Wild Homes’. But they’ve still learned a lot.

“They (the film crew) keep it very authentic. Which is good, because we don’t know how to act,” Jonathan said with a laugh.

The show came about because an Ocean Entertainment producer saw a TikTok video the Lloys had posted. Intrigued, she called. Would they be interested in being on television?

“It was literally a phone call out of the blue,” explained Jonathan. They thought it over and agreed to try it. It’s been nearly 17 months of filming since.

Caralee grew up in the valley and met Jonathan here more than 20 years ago. She’d returned to the valley after her time in Central America. He’d moved here in 2001 and worked in the home building

industry before starting his own company. The pair met, married and welcomed two kids into their lives.

Eventually, in 2010, the young family relocated to Nova Scotia, where Jonathan had grown up. They loved (and still miss) the mountains, but were lured by the ocean lifestyle (especially the surfing) of the east coast. The Lloys have remained there, raising their kids.

Their homebuilding business changed in 2015 when they created their 20,000 square foot shop, where they build their homes indoors.

A lot of homebuilders literally take their business with them wherever they go, moving from one home site to another. But now the Lloys had a settled base.

“Our operation became a lot less portable,” said Jonathan. But, he realized, that doesn’t mean the prefab homes themselves aren’t portable. It takes some doing, and Lloyoll Prefabs had to build its own 85-foot (26 metre) long custom trailer (complete with a turntable and the ability to drop down to get below bridges) to haul the homes to the ends of the earth. Which it sometimes seems is exactly what Jonathan and Caralee have to do.

A few years ago they had to ship and place one of their homes to Grand Mesa, Colorado, at an altitude of 12,000 feet (3,600 metres) in a spot that — eight months of the year — is accessible only by snowmobile. They recently did another, almost equally remote, near Argenta, over in the West Kootenay, not that far from Invermere as the crow flies.

The homeowners are of all different ages, occupations and income levels. What they have in common is “how much they like to be independent and push boundaries” said Jonathan.

Each ‘Wild Homes’ episode takes viewers through the process of designing and building a home, before finally getting it in place. There’s back and forth with the customers, hammering out plans to turn dreams into reality. There’s glimpses into everyday life inside the Lloyoll warehouse as the house is put together. And then there’s the pressure and logistics of the delivery as the deadline approaches.

“When you’re driving a truck and trailer with a house on it down a narrow road that’s really only meant for 4x4 jeep, well, it gets exciting,” explained Jonathan. “We sometimes

get caught in weird spots, especially off the main roads, where it feels like the forest tends to close in around us. Problems alway arise, and each is unique. You have to figure them out.”

There’s plenty of humour too, particularly in the interplay between Jonathan, who concedes he is sometimes overly enthusiastic about what can be accomplished, and Caralee and Loyoll program and quality manager Jessica Arsenault. Jonathan describes Caralee and Jessica as “perhaps a bit more sensible, and more realistic than me.”

Both Wild Homes and Lloyoll Prefabs were thrown a major curveball on the night of April 30 this year, when a huge fire engulfed the com-

pany’s shop, completely destroying it (no people were inside at the time). The fire made regional and national headlines and forced the Lloys — as well as the television show — to pivot big time. The company is back in production at a temporary facility, cleaning up the mess from the fire and planning how to recreate its shop. The final three episodes of Wild Homes will also include the fire and how Lloyoll rebuilt the in-theworks projects it lost to the flames. Visit ocean.ca/wild-homes/ to watch a trailer for the television series. As of Pioneer press time, the Wild Homes premiere was set for Thursday, June 2 on CTV Life, and the shows will go to Crave for live streaming after they air.

French educator gets provincial award

By Steve Hubrecht

steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

An Invermere educator has been honoured with a provincial award for her efforts to expand French learning for young children in the Columbia Valley.

Sophie Timmermans has lived in the valley

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE?

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Join the Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer of Rocky Mountain School District for an information session that explores what trustees do, how they contribute to student success, and what it means to represent your community at the school board table.

for more than a decade, but she grew up bilingual in Belgium with French as her mother tongue. She worked as an education assistant with the local school district in Invermere for years, and found many parents asking if she wanted to privately tutor their kids in French.

There was so much demand, in fact, that two years ago she launched Les Francofolies, offering French immersion programs for youth ranging in age from pre-school up to elementary school.

The programs have been a hit, to say the least, and during the British Columbia-wide Francophone Child Care and Referral (CCRRF) ‘Horizon 2026’ conference in Vancouver on May 1 and May 2, Timmermans won the Excellence Award for ‘Francophone engagement in a family child care setting’.

Timmermans was surprised, since Les Francofolies was competing against much bigger initiatives in much bigger cities for the award, but was also deeply honoured. She thanked Columbia Valley residents for their support and votes for the award.

The conference brought together Francophone language and education professionals

from all over the province, and Timmermans returned inspired and full of new ideas for new Les Francofolies programs.

The importance of learning French — or any other new language — at a young age goes well beyond grammar and vocabulary, she explained.

“You are learning different ways of saying things, yes, but also different ways of looking at life, different cultures. It helps you keep an open mind,” said Timmermans. “It makes you more tolerant of differences, and that makes our community as a whole stronger.”

In a bilingual country such as Canada, learning French at a young age can also open opportunities later on in life, she added.

Timmermans likes to keep things straightforward and enjoyable for the kids in Les Francofolies.

“I try to do everything in French, but keep it fun. We read French books, sing French songs, and get outdoors a lot while speaking French,” she said.

Les Francofolies registration is open for next year. Contact francofolies.invermere@gmail.com to find out more.

Former DTSS grads compete in Enactus

Submitted by Gilian Deang

Three former graduates of David Thompson Secondary School left quite the “paper trail” while competing in the 2026 Enactus Canada National Championship recently.

Although Jai Joaquin, Anna Borysova, and myself pursued different programs at Okanagan College, we all joined Enactus Okanagan College together. Over time, our team began referring to us as ‘The Invermere Team,’ which is a nickname we are very proud of.

Enactus Okanagan College (OC) is a non-profit organization that empowers students to create social, economic, and environmental impact through entrepreneurial projects. Enactus Canada supports students across more than 78 campuses, helping young leaders use business as a force for good while developing real-world skills through competition and community initiatives.

This year, Enactus Okanagan College was crowned the 2026 Enactus Canada National Champion after competing against more than 45 universities and colleges from across the country at the Enactus Canada National Exposition in Montreal from May 5–8. Winning nationals was an incredible honour, and our team will now go on to proudly represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup in São Paulo, Brazil this November.

At Nationals, we competed with a project called ‘Paper Trail,’ a student-led social enterprise focused on reducing paper waste. The project diverts old textbooks that cannot be recycled from landfills and

transforms them into fire bricks, a lightweight, weather-resistant, longburning, and environmentally sustainable alternative to firewood.

Our co-founder of Paper Trail involved us in the project from the first meeting we attended; all the team knew was that we wanted to tackle the issue of paper waste. Since then, the three of us have remained closely involved with the project, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch it grow from an idea into something creating real impact, not just in Canada, but around the world.

Competing at the Enactus Canada National Exposition was an unforgettable experience. It was incredibly inspiring to see how passionate students from across the country are about creating a better future for all of us through innovation and entrepreneurship. The competition pushed all of us beyond our comfort zones and challenged us to grow both personally and professionally. More than anything, it showed us what we are capable of when we commit fully to an idea and work together toward a shared purpose. In just 18 months, we’ve been fortunate to see the project grow from a simple idea into something far beyond what we originally imagined, and we’re so excited for what comes next on the Paper Trail.

For additional information, please see the websites below:

• Enactus Okanagan College: https://www.enactusoc.ca/

• Enactus Canada: https://enactus.ca/

• Paper Trail: https://papertrailok.ca/

Alterntively

SPORTS

Huge turnout for Clash of the Titans contest

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

It was Titan time in the Columbia Valley once again last weekend, as the local soccer club hosted the annual Clash of the Titans soccer tournament.

The tournament is one of the biggest spring shoulder season events in the valley, drawing droves of participants and filling the communities of both Invermere and Windermere to bursting.

This year saw the largest edition of the tournament yet, with 82 youth teams descending on the valley from Calgary, Banff, Canmore, Chestermere, Revelstoke, Cranbrook, Fernie, Golden, Castelgar, Rossland, and Trail to test their mettle against each other and against the hometown Columbia Valley Football Club (CVFC) Titans.

Each of the 82 teams — which included both boys and girls —featured anywhere from a dozen up to more than 20 players, and when you add in accompanying family members, volunteers,

event staff, and referees there were more than 4,000 people in town for the Clash.

That’s an enormous influx of visitors that temporarily comes close to doubling the population of Invermere and Windermere — a boon for local businesses at a time of year that is typically slow.

The teams spanned the full age gamut for rep soccer, from U11 (under 11 years old) up to U18 (under 18 years old). The athletes and their entourages could be found on almost every available soccer field in both Invermere and Windermere, from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 24, on the pitches at David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS), J.A. Laird Elementary School, Mount Nelson Athletic Park (MNAP), and Windermere Elementary School.

“It was great. We had a wonderful weekend. Our teams plays so well, and some of them even took home gold medals. There were a lot of people out and conditions were great,” CVFC volunteer Bailey Yates told the Pioneer after the tournament, adding there was a welcoming feel to the event, particularly evident during the U12 girls final, when it seemed as though half the community of Windermere turned out to cheer on the

girls to gold.

Tournament co-organizer Gina Mannheimer conceded that putting on the Clash of the Titans is indeed a lot of work, but said it’s worth it to see how much fun the kids and teens have.

The tournament, the local soccer club, and indeed soccer in general “is so accessible for everyone to play. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment, but you get to be part of a team and part of a club. There’s not that many sports like that,” said Mannheimer.

“People keep coming back to this tournament because of the community ... it really is a great event,” said Yates, adding the arrangement of the fields at MNAP and J.A. Laird is excellent for spectators, who can survey multiple games in several different age categories at the same time, simply by spinning 360 degrees and taking it all in.

Both Yates and Mannheimer thanked local sponsors, volunteers, and the small army of people who help organize the Clash of the Titans, noting the event would not be possible without them.

See more soccer photos on page 15 and 23

NOTICE OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL TEMPORARY USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS UNDER RDEK BOARD CONSIDERATION

Pursuant to Section 494 of the Local Government Act, public notice is hereby given that the RDEK is considering the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits (STR TUP) listed in the table below. The Board will consider the proposed Permits at its meeting on June 12, 2026 at the RDEK office at 19 - 24 Ave S in Cranbrook, BC.

PERMIT NO. ADDRESS

STR 35-26 5009 Fairmont Close (Fairmont)

STR 36-26 5375 Dutch Creek Road (Dutch Creek)

STR 37-26 1913 Greywolf Drive (Panorama)

STR 38-26 2163 Creekside Crescent (Panorama)

STR 44-26 5073 Fairmont Resort Road (Fairmont)

013-295-721 6

012-052-388 10

024-272-680 12

026-645-467 10

013-294-229 8

All persons who believe they are affected by any of the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits are encouraged to submit their concerns in writing to the RDEK office at 19 - 24 Ave S. Cranbrook, BC or by email to planningdept@rdek.bc.ca prior to 4:30 pm on June 1, 2026. All submissions should include your name and address. Please be advised that any written submissions will become part of the public record. The permit is available for viewing by email request, on the RDEK website (www.rdek.bc.ca/meetings_events/publichearings) or at the RDEK Offices between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. To search for properties online, visit: www.rdek.bc.ca/departments/mapping. For more information contact planning department staff at planningdept@rdek.bc.ca or 250-489-2791.

All written submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All submissions will form part of the public record. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335.

NOTICE OF INTENT REVISED – Temporary Use Permit No. 3-26 – Windermere

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is considering an application for a Temporary Use Permit to permit placement and seasonal residential use of two recreational vehicles, one with a deck, and two accessory storage buildings prior to the principal dwelling being constructed. The application is for property located at 4715 Copper Cres in Windermere

If the application is approved, the RDEK will issue a Temporary Use Permit to permit the above noted use on Lot 14 Block A District Lot 8 Kootenay District Plan 686 as seen on the attached map.

The Board will consider the proposed Permit at its meeting on June 12, 2026. If you believe that your interest in property is affected by this proposed Permit, you may prior to June 3, 2026:

• request a copy of the proposed Permit by contacting Krista Gilbert, Planning Technician by email at kgilbert@rdek.bc.ca,

• mail, or email written submissions to the addresses/numbers shown below.

All written submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All submissions will form part of the public record and will be published in a meeting agenda posted online. Personal contact information such as phone and email will be removed from written submissions. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335. For more information contact Krista Gilbert, Planning Technician at 1-250-489-0314 or by email at kgilbert@rdek.bc.ca

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is considering an application to amend the text of the zoning bylaw to allow for two single family dwellings and one secondary suite on the subject property. The property is located at 9317 Kimpton Road in the Windermere East area, northeast of Lake Windermere as shown on the attached map. The proposed dwellings and secondary suite are already located on the property. Bylaw No. 3467 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay - Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 3255, 2023 – Amendment Bylaw No. 33, 2026 (Windermere East / Riches)” will amend the text of the zoning bylaw to permit two single family dwelling units, one with a secondary suite within, on Lot 7 District Lot 5343 Kootenay District Plan 8394.

A public hearing for the proposed bylaw will not be held pursuant to Section 467 of the Local Government Act which states that a local government must not hold a public hearing if:

a) An Official Community Plan is in effect for the area that is the subject of the proposed bylaw,

b) The bylaw is consistent with the official community plan,

c) The sole purpose of the bylaw is to permit a development that is, in whole or in part, a residential development, and ,

d) The residential component of the development accounts for at least half of the gross floor area of all the buildings and other structures proposed as part of the development

Bylaw No. 3467 is consistent with the Lake Windermere Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2727, 2019. The Official Community Plan designation for the subject property is SH, Small Holdings which supports rural residential land uses.

Bylaw No. 3467 will be considered for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd readings by the RDEK Board of Directors on June 12, 2026

If you believe that your interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw, you may:

• inspect the Bylaw and supporting information by requesting that an information package be emailed to you by contacting kgilbert@rdek.bc.ca. Information packages may be requested up until Monday, June 1, 2026 at 4:30 pm.

• mail or email written submissions to the addresses shown below before Monday, June 1, 2026 at 4:30 pm SUBMISSIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE.

All submissions will form part of the public record and will be published in a meeting agenda posted online. Personal contact information such as phone and email will be removed from written submissions. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335. This notice is not an interpretation of the Bylaw. For more information, contact Krista Gilbert, Planning Technician at 250-489-0314 or toll free at 1-888-478-7335 or email kgilbert@rdek.bc.ca.

SPORTS

Gold for East Kootenay volleyball girls

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The local East Kootenay Volleyball Club (EKVC)’s Invermere branch struck gold at nationals recently.

The EKVC-Invermere U17 (under 17 years old) girls squad earned the gold over the Victoria Day long weekend during the ongoing Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships in Calgary.

The girls got gold to be sure, but somewhat counterintuitively that does not mean they are national champions. Rather, the EKVC-Invermere girls achieved gold in their specific tier in the competition. In doing so, they were one of 32 different U17 girls at the national championships to win gold, each in their own tier of eight teams.

In total, there were more than 250 U17 girls teams from across the country at the national championships, which ran from May 13 to May 17 at the BMO Centre in Stampede Park.

The first two days of tournament saw all teams play in different pools. This helped sort all the teams into final tiers of eight teams, each comprised of squads roughly equivalent in skill level. For instance, during the first day the EKVC-Invermere girls finished second out of four teams in their first pool. That relatively strong placement meant they were drawn against stronger opponents for their second day pool.

Alas, in the second day pool the EKVC-Invermere girls finished fourth out of four teams. That meant for the final tier they were drawn with other teams that had also fared reasonably well on the first day, but not so well on the second day.

“We had a great season, and we finished it by playing some of our best volleyball (on that) weekend. They did really well,” co-coach Richard Brunner told the Pioneer “The girls were very excited, and they should be.”

Instead of becoming discouraged by finishing bottom of the pool on the second day, they regrouped, refocused and came out strong in the final tier, battling through the quarterfinals, semifinals and into the gold medal final for their tier.

In that final, the EKVC-Invermere girls squared off against a team that had beaten them in the British Columbia provincials just a few weeks beforehand. They were determined to get a different result this time around, and narrowly won the first set 25-23.

They then stumbled slightly, losing the next set 19-25, setting up a winner-takes-all third set. They found themselves in a hole in that third set, down 3-8, but dug deep, battled back and ultimately won 1512.

Brunner said the final was “an emotional rollercoaster” for all involved, but was proud of how the girls showed resilience and resolve in the face of adversity.

Local officials to seek re-election this fall

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

There will be plenty of familiar faces on the ballot during the Columbia Valley’s municipal elections this fall — all three local mayors and both Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) rural electoral area directors plan to run for their positions once again.

The topic cropped up out of the blue during a recent Invermere council meeting, when a member of the public gallery asked Invermere mayor

Al Miller about rumours that he planned to step down.

“It’s news to me. I haven’t made any announcement, so I’d say those are just rumours,” replied Miller during the meeting, adding “Let me put it this way: I enjoy my job.”

Speaking after the meeting, Miller elaborated further, saying “at this point I’m certainly planning on running (for Invermere mayor) again.”

Radium Hot Springs mayor Mike Gray and Canal Flats mayor Mark Doherty told the Pioneer that they too will seek re-election. Ditto for both

RDEK Area G director Roberta Schnider and Area F director Susan Clovechok.

“I like giving back to the community, that’s the drive for me,” said Schnider, saying it feels like her first four-year term has flown by in the blink of an eye.

“I still have the energy, and I still have the commitment,” said Clovechok, who will be running for a third term. “I love the work. It can be frustrating at times, but it is also rewarding in many ways.”

Here To Serve You

PIONEER CLASSIFIEDS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEW BROKERAGE! NEW TEAM!

GERRY TAFT

250.341.1202

ROBIN SHMIGELSKY

250.342.1548

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking?

For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-878-2448 or 250-342-8392

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 7 pm. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End624 4th St. Invermere. Please call 250-342-2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship.

CHEERS

Cheers to Billy, the Rona delivery truck driver for his cheerful and professional help in delivering our very heavy window safely onto our deck. Taking service with a smile to a whole new level.

CHEERS

Cheers to Syd Danis for your passion for photography. I look forward to seeing what you capture.

Cheers to Cindy at Chopper’s Pet Supplies. You are a thoughtful, kind and allaround great person.

Cheers to Kerry at the Oriental Palace for the great customer service every single time we go in.

Cheers to the new and improved Sobeys. The store looks great.

Special Cheers to Wes Raven and family at R Services. Our Father passed away last week and the next day they were over cutting the lawn at no charge, just in memory of our Dad. Truly appreciated! From the Tomyn family.

Special Cheers to Jim Tomyn of Radium. Thanks for fixing everything of yours and mine that I have destroyed over the years. I will dearly miss our time spent together and all the devices you built. Keith

MOVING SALE

Sale dates are June 6/7 (Best Selection) & June 13/14 (Best Deals). Items include: gardening tools (incl. shovels, picks, pails etc.), household furniture, bar fridge (new), pressure washer, dehumidifier, window air conditioner (near new), furniture moving cart, hide-a-bed with matching love seat, desk, etc. Also golf clubs, bed sheets (new). 107-4874 Edelweiss St. Radium

Jane Gorsuch

Passed away April 1, 2026, Invermere, BC 79 years old, married 55 years.

Leaves: Husband Diarmuid (Derm) Gorsuch, daughter Rachelle, son David, and three sisters and one brother. Jane was born in England in 1947, moved to Canada with her parents in 1956, and married Derm in 1970 in Vancouver, BC.

First home: Mackenzie, BC - mobile home 12’x54’. Lived in various places in BC.

Daughter born 1972, Mackenzie, BC. Son born 1973, Smithers, BC.

First House - Prince George, BC, 1978. Moved from Prince George and bought a house in Invermere in 1981.

SERVICES

K. B. Creations Handyman services, Renovations, Masonry, Plumbing, Drywall & Painting. Please call Kevin 250-688-2897

SWIM LESSONS at Fairmont Hot Springs with Rocky Mountain Swim Lessons. Book online at www. rockymountainswimlessons.ca

Jim Tomyn

Nov. 16, 1937 – May 14, 2026

James (Jim) Tomyn passed away peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by the love of his family. He faced his final days with dignity and quiet strength. One of Dad’s greatest joys was his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jim will be remembered for his remarkable mechanical repair talents, his love of fishing, and his enjoyment of a good laugh.

Our family would like to express their gratitude for the amazing care provided during his final days.

At Dad’s request there will be no funeral service. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family and friends.

Fairmont and District

Lions Club Garage Sale

Saturday, June 6

10:00 - 4:00PM

Sunday June 7

10:00 - 4:00

Lions Den 5003 Hot Springs Road

Fairmont Hot Springs

HOUSE FOR RENT

Strictly non-smoking, 2 bedroom, beautiful view garden. $1990 per month. Some utilities included. 250-409-5424

Employment Opportunity Seasonal Labourer

The Village of Radium Hot Springs seeks a seasonal labourer (until October 30, 2026). This wide spectrum position primarily supports the parks division maintaining and beautifying the community but also performs a variety of tasks related to cleaning, maintenance, construction, and repairing all aspects of the Village’s Public Works infrastructure.

The usual hours of work are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., five days per week (40 hours/week). Limited evening and weekend work may be required. Wage range $23.00 - $ 27.00 per hour, depending on experience.

The full job description is available on request.

Deadline to apply – This posting remains open until a suitable candidate is hired. Applications (or questions regarding the position) may be sent to the attention of: Michael Glavin, Director of Engineering and Public Works: depw@radiumhotsprings.ca

Players 'Clash' in 'Titan' tourney

by

Arnold Malone

Need jails to protect public

Prisons are a necessity. Every country on the planet has a place where those who are a threat to a defined standard are incarcerated. Many consider the purpose of a prison is to punish. I argue that the purpose ought to be for public protection and rehabilitation.

There is something very wrong with those public broadcasts that warns a community that a dangerous sex offender who has served his/her time is being released and plans to head home. If the incarcerated is considered dangerous then a release with a warning is mighty insufficient.

Being in jail is quite different depending on which country one is incarcerated. Amoung developed countries the United States has the highest rate of incarceration. Close behind, world wide are El Salvador, Cuba, Rwanda and Turkmenistan. Many persons in the USA are in prison for acts that other democracies consider a misdemeanor.

The four objectives of incarceration are: protect the innocent, change an offender’s behaviour, to establish a behavioural standard and to punish an offender. The great irony is that those prisons that have the harshest conditions have the highest rates of return.

When it comes to the question of imprisonment one of the higher objectives ought to be about protection of the innocent from further harm and reducing a return to jail. Punishment has no long-term value except for victim satisfaction.

The prison population is not a monolith. Some can be adjusted through education while others have a hardened disregard for the norms of a society.

The USA seems to favour punishment over lowering reincarceration. Now that our relationship with the USA has been up-ended this might be a good time to look to other models for an improved system.

Canada should send a delegation to the Nor-

dic countries to study their prison culture. They should find out why Sweden was able to close down one of its largest prisons. Do they have fewer bad people than previously? If so, why? What is it about the Swedish practise that allows that country to close one of its largest jails?

It would be good for Canadians to learn why Norway has the lowest rate of return to jail of any country on the planet. It is about the same in Finland. They are next to some in Norway in having the lowest rate of recidivism.

The Nordic countries have two streams for incarceration. There are jails, like ours, where the main objective is to protect the public.

In the second steam the inmates wear street cloths, eat good food, attend a wide variety of classes, receive counselling and are schooled on inter-personal relationships. These people may come and go from the institution as long as they continue to attend. If they skip attendance, they are sent to the more restrictive system. They study professions or trades, partake in group activities and become skilled before returning to society. They do work to reduce the cost of the program. They do not have a term; they graduate to a release. There is no fixed ratio but generally about 70 per cent are locked away for public protection and about 30 per cent enter a program for training in life skills.

The Nordic system may not be fully transferable to Canada but it would be worthwhile to study another approach to see where we might find some improvement. Change might be possible.

In the North American system, going to jail is a finishing school for criminality. The not so bad are too often mixed with the very bad. We can do better and still protect the public. The Nordic system with less recidivism also has a cost benefit. Instead of returning to jail a significant portion of those inmates become family and communitybuilders.

Columbia Valley Churches

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

While you are with us, you are always welcome to join us. Sunday at 10:30 am 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 | www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY

SHARED MINISTRY (Anglican - United) Sundays at 10:30 either in-person or online (the link is available on our website – wvsm.ca) Minister: Brent Woodard 110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere 250-342-6644

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY

Pastor: Justin Furse Sunday 10 a.m. Worship Service 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 | www.vcachurch.net

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats: Saturday, 4 pm Canadian Martyrs’, Invermere: Sat 5 pm, Sun 9 am St. Joseph’s, Radium: Sunday 11 am Father Francis Dela Cruz | 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167 canadianmartyrs.ca

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater | 250-342-6633 #4, 7553 Main St. Radium | 250-347-9937

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Worship Service, Sunday, 11 a.m. Sunday School, 10 a.m.

President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-439-9041

CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo)

Worship Service: Sunday 9 a.m., Thursday 7:45 p.m. Chamber of Commerce (Lions Hall)

For inquiries: 250-688-1643 250-270-2208 or 250-688-0629

For more info about the church, you can Google online at incmedia.org or pasugo.com.ph

A jail cell is necessary but don't throw away the key.

PHOTO CHARLES O'REAR/ GETTY IMAGES

JESUS IS LORD CHURCH, INVERMERE

Sunday Service: 10:30am 1310 7th Ave Invermere (Invermere Inn Hotel) Pastor: Barkley Bayani 250-341-5160