We are lucky in Kimberley. There are countless options for adventure right from your door step. Whether it's skiing, sliding, skating, snowshoeing, hiking, biking, running or walking your furry friends –we have you covered. There's really no excuse for boredom in Kimberley – just head outside for fun and fresh air! Here, we will highlight a few of our favourite winter activities for you:
Kimberley Nordic Centre
There are over 30 kms of snowcat-groomed trails, including single and double-track classic trails and skate lanes, with varying degrees of difficulty and length to accommodate all levels. Thinking about a night time activity? The Nordic Centre has you covered with a 3.3 km lit loop for night skiing. The facility also boasts a 1200 square foot lodge, washrooms and a waxing hut. With membership up over a thousand people and a $60K trail improvement investment that took place over summer 2017, the Nordic Trails are an adventure you don't want to miss out on.
Kimberley Aquatic Centre
Not a winter fan? Stay warm in the Kimberley Aquatic Centre where there is fun for all ages of the family. The Aquatic Centre is a disability accessible building featuring a 25-metre, 5-lane Bert Banks lap pool with a competition diving board, a leisure pool with fun water features including a teacup spray waterfall and Lazy River, a hot tub with
spectacular hillside views, steam room, outside deck and the 'Kimberley Alpine Resort' multi-purpose meeting room. Each month, local businesses sponsor a free public or family swim, so bring the whole family down for a free swim.
Arenas
There isn't a more classic Canadian experience than lacing up the ol’ skates and hitting the ice! Kimberley maintains an outdoor rink and two arenas, providing lots of opportunities to glide through winter. The Civic Centre Arena, located on Rotary Drive, and the Marysville Arena both offer public skating and drop-in hockey. The outdoor arena is located in the Townsite area of Kimberley, and the season begins whenever the weather permits for use free of charge.
Get to know Kimberley and you will quickly find out why this is a good place to be in any season. For more information, including schedules, info about our off-leash areas and places for free winter activities, please visit our website at www.kimberley.ca.
The Urban Settler is a one-of-akind lifestyle, design, and décor company. Their unique style reflects the seamless blending of the contemporary with the rustic, the modern with the historic, raw solid forms and earthy textures, brought to life with touches of polished style.
Their thoughtfully curated collection of wares, such as modern couches, gorgeous décor items, sumptuous bedding, and unique lighting options, are all displayed in warm and inviting arrangements that ignite daydreams of renovation or redecorating.
The Urban Settler also offers full-service professional interior design. They can help you with everything from articulating the perfect idea, with in-home consultations, detailed floor plans, 3D renderings, and project management to complete every detail to perfection.
We like to think we’re pretty friendly and cool folks to hang out with, but if that isn’t motivation enough, here are some other reasons you should consider starting or completing your post-secondary education with us:
• Competitive Tuition rates and affordable living costs. Attending college is 35% less than attending university that can translate to a savings of $20,000!
• Adult Upgrading
• Business
• Child, Youth and Family Studies
• Fire Services
• Health
• Office Administration
• Tourism
• Trades
• University Arts and Sciences
• You can earn a degree right here. Our credentials range from one-year certificate programs all the way through to four-year Bachelor’s degrees.
• Our small class sizes mean more personalized attention to help you to be successful.
cotr.ca Think. Do. Become.
• Continuing Education
cotr.ca
Your very own winter wonderland awaits at
PH: Zoe Ferguson Photography
FOR ADVERTISING, DISTRIBUTION, OR GENERAL INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT US AT:
grady@kootenaymedia.ca
For article submissions contact:
karen@kootenaymedia.ca | 250.427.0808
Reproduction, in whole, or in part, is strictly prohibited. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved on entire contents. GO Kimberley Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, it is not responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. The opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors.
GO Kimberley Magazine is published four times per year and is printed in Canada.
GO Kimberley is published by:
Kootenay Media Ltd.
Layout design by: Lucas Roach | Big Magic Design www.bigmagicdesign.com
Britt
12 | Ten Back and Ten Forward: Kimberley Residents Celebrate
20 | Surrounded by the Wild: Kimberley Nature Park
26 | When We Take Care of Each Other: The Good Life of Bert Banks
35 | Relax, Renew, & Recharge at Zen Mountain Float + Wellness
38 | Lakeside in Winter
42 | Hometown Heroes: The Kimberley Dynamiters
46 | How We Call This Hill Home
58 | I Spy...Something with Bars
62 | Mastering the Art of Fun: Kimberley Nordic Club Masters Program
65 | It All Started with a Rock: Kimberley’s Mining History
70 | Winners of Centre 64’s 24-Hour Photography Contest
Monica Swagar | Stylist & Colour Specialist
18 years in this industry and our standard is higher than ever. Cleaner products, cleaner colour line, and taking care of the environment.
| OWAY
W
: Interviews by Monica Karaba
It almost seems like the blink of an eye since GO Kimberley published its first issue in 2007. At that time, Jim Ogilvie was our mayor, and he predicted this about Kimberley’s future: “In ten years, Kimberley will be a thriving community with a solid economic base, a place where everyone wants to come and live, feels safe, gets a good education, and enjoys life in general.” We would like to believe he would be proud that his words came true.
As we celebrate our 41st issue over a decade later in 2017, we thought it would be fun to ask some of our newer as well as longer-term residents for their perspective on where we’ve been and where they think we’re going as a community. Here is what they said:
QUESTION 1
How have you seen Kimberley change and evolve over the last ten years?
Carol Fergus: “I’ve been here since 1945 and worked downtown since the ‘60s and seen a lot of change: from a mining town to the Bavarianization of the ‘70s to many businesses closing or moving to Cranbrook after the mine closure and then efforts to become a tourist destination. It’s been quite amazing to watch the transformation especially in the last decade. There is new energy and enthusiasm, a belief and involvement in community, and growth in the business sector. The influx of new people has been positive, and there are more opportunities and events than ever. While we are known for recreation, it’s been great to see the growth of venues for artists and musicians to showcase themselves. What Kimberley has given to us as a family and to others has been just amazing. And to see many of the young people who left returning to live in the community they grew up in is a bonus.”
Jesse Ferguson: “I moved back to Kimberley in 2010. In the seven years I’ve been back, I’ve seen extraordinary changes in the city. New retail businesses, new restaurants and pubs, and new activity providers have all contributed to the positive growth in Kimberley.”
Court Forster: “There is a good vibe here and so much creativity. We have more arts and culture going on now. Dirtbag Festival is back, plus so many new events like this year’s Horror Fest, Saltwater Sessions, Indie Art Nights at The Shed, the 24-Hour Photography Contest, Julyfest’s new venue, etc. We have some cool niche shopping options that we didn’t have before, and it’s nice to have a week’s worth of variety for food with our restaurants. The Dynamiters is a flagship franchise that adds to our community in many ways. There seems to be more young families, or maybe we’re noticing that because we have our own child now.”
Georgia Forster: “It’s turned a lot beautifuller.”
Don McCormick: “There’s a resiliency here that is pretty awesome. We are a community that keeps on investing in itself and maximizing what we have. We went from being a company town to a resort town and now we are so much more with a vital downtown core. So many people are committed to being here and taking risks to ensure there is a future here. There are even people putting their life savings into businesses. Kimberley is economically viable, especially in proximity to Cranbrook and other Valley communities. What is also interesting is that there are more younger people and more women making that happen, too, now, than ever before. At the recent Kimberley Business Excellence Awards, the average age of our entrepreneurs was 35-45 years old, with 60-65% of new businesses being started by women. There is a lot of exciting energy and synergy here from the retiree community to long-standing families to newcomers.”
Emily Smith: “A lot of people make a leap of faith to be here and are inspired to make things happen. People who come here really seem to embrace Kimberley as their new home and make a commitment to this community as well as add their own mark here. There’s an underlying pulse, and it feels like Kimberley’s been brought back to life over the last decade. And it’s not just words, it’s the people who come here and are living this lifestyle. And despite any economic setbacks, people overcome and carry on.”
Jim Webster: “There was a bit of slowdown after the 2007 financial crisis which eroded some of the optimism and halted some of the development that started after 2002. However, in hindsight, I think that was a good thing because it forced everyone to pause and really think about what we wanted to see here and take our time cultivating it. We held a couple of big events that drew quite a number of new visitors to Kimberley and that really opened our eyes to the possibilities. Soon there were groups working on the trails, groups working on events and festivals, and a group working on revitalizing the Platzl. It happened naturally and there was a lot of collaboration.
The biggest thing that’s changed is a sense of optimism that we’re more than just a place to visit for one day to take in a couple of sights. More and more people want to extend their time and even live here. And there’s a ‘go for it’ attitude here. Weird ideas are welcome and encouraged. Whereas in other places, people will give you 101 reasons why you can’t do something, in Kimberley, it’s the opposite. So a lot of business ideas or things people would be afraid to try in other places get started here and often take off.”
QUESTION 2:
Looking into your crystal ball, where do you imagine Kimberley will be in ten years or what would you like to see?
Carol Fergus: “I see nothing but progress coming with all the new ideas and new excitement. Kimberley is definitely the Place to Be. I believe there will be continued growth as long as we keep pulling together.”
Jesse Ferguson: “Kimberley has many of the foundational tools and the exceptional citizens to become a very successful municipality. There is a sense that the entire community is paddling the boat in the same direction. It’s been great to see everything unfold in such a positive manner. I think we will continue to see growth in new residents and visitors.”
Court Forster: “I’d like to see more long-term industry, like light industry, so that our kids have other longterm options when they grow up besides working in the service industry. It would be great to see us do more with the solar farm and take that to another level. There has to be a happy medium for a thriving community so we may have to make some decisions and compromises to support this. I’d also like to see lots of snow!!!”
Georgia Forster: “It will turn more beautiful with more ideas. I’d like two water slides at the pool, and I’d like to see a bird get born.”
Don McCormick: “At the end of the day, we are a community first and a tourist destination second. It will continue to be our citizens on the community side and entrepreneurs on the business side that lead our progress. For Kimberley to continue to thrive, it’s important to embrace change and not become complacent. Even when things are really good and you like what is going on, we need to keep refreshing things and be open to new opportunities for sustainable growth. That means managing our resources in a way that lets us enjoy our chosen lifestyle while also increasing our economic viability to ensure that this lifestyle can be shared by future generations.”
Emily Smith: “I’d like to see what we have sustained and for Kimberley to continue to be such a welcoming and open community. I also think it’s important
that we remember our history and where we’ve come from and those who have come before and given us our foundation here. I don’t want us to lose our way but to continue to embrace the good things and to celebrate all we have created throughout our history as we evolve.”
Jim Webster: “I hope that we continue to grow in a good and sustainable manner that supports young people and families who want to move and work here as well as the retirees who also contribute quite a lot. I’d like for us to retain a nice balance and also for all of us to contribute and volunteer to support all of the great things we love having here like the trail network, the arts, music, festivals, etc.”
QUESTION 3:
How do you feel GO Kimberley has contributed to Kimberley (if at all)?
Carol Fergus: “It’s a really attractive magazine! I love the photos, and I have really enjoyed the stories on our local characters showcasing Kimberley’s lifestyle. It reaches a lot of people and has a long lifespan. You can be sure to find it all over, such as in the medical clinic or dentist’s office. And for advertisers with limited budgets, this is a really great marketing tool because with GO Kimberley you get three months of visibility in one shot!”
Jesse Ferguson: “The people of Kimberley are proud to have a local magazine, a voice that parallels why they have made Kimberley their home. The publication is a great communication tool for both residents and visitors. Congratulations on a successful ten years, GO Kimberley. Keep ‘er going!
Georgia Forster: “I like it. I love it.”
Court Forster: “I think GO Kimberley has always been a sort of focal point and talking point for the community. It often comes up in conversations or at parties. Someone might mention reading about something or ask, ‘Did you see that article in GO Kimberley on such and such.’ It’s always a place to get great information on the merchants in town, artists, and other things you might not realize were happening. It’s such a part of our community that I think sometimes it might get taken for granted.”
Don McCormick: “I believe this magazine leaves an incredibly positive impression with everyone who reads it and has become an integral part of Kimberley. It tells the stories of Kimberley not just for visitors but for residents as well. It’s a great promotional vehicle and is as interesting for the advertising as it is for the stories. It creates a picture of the vibrant community we have here.”
Emily Smith: “When we were considering moving here permanently and saw GO Kimberley first come out, it gave us confidence, too. It really inspired us and we thought if there’s enough fodder to start and keep a magazine going, then we could make a ‘go’ of it here, too. GO Kimberley has put a face to our community and really shows our depth. It’s a great vehicle for promoting the fabric of our community and shows the world that there’s so much going on here. It shows that this is a real community with real people doing real things and making a real difference. I think it helps us to be taken seriously. It celebrates our diversity and shows what we can offer visitors and those who live here. Both the hard copy and online presence are important for this.”
Jim Webster: “GO Kimberley has actually been front and center through a lot of the changes here. I have to be honest when I first saw the magazine, I wondered how long it would last since it was free and was being printed in such high quality. I thought maybe one or two years. But it stuck around and has consistently provided interesting stories and given us a sense of pride here. I always have copies at my home, and everyone who visits enjoys reading them and always takes them home.”
Our Panel
1. Carol Fergus | Volunteer, Co-Chair of First Saturdays, Arts Council Treasurer
3. Courtney Forster | Awesomest Daddy in the World (according to Georgia), Photographer/Videographer
4. Georgia Forster | 6-Year-Old, Sage
5. Don McCormick | Mayor, Chief Salesman
6. Emily Smith | Volunteer, Co-Chair of First Saturdays
7. Jim Webster | Instigator of New Events and Wild Possibilities
DECEMBER
2017
Invitational Christmas Gift Exhibition
Ongoing Gallery Exhibition
November 21 – December 23 | Tuesday
– Saturday | 1-5 pm | by donation
JANUARY 2018
“Figures, Forms & Faces”
– Open Exhibition
Ongoing Gallery Exhibition
January 2 – 27 | Tuesday – Saturday | 1-5 pm | by donation
Exhibition Opening Reception
“Figures, Forms & Faces” Exhibition
January 6 | 2-4 pm | come meet the artists | refreshments will be served
Art Movie Night
Watch a movie about art and share in a casual guided discussion afterwards
January 19 | 7:30 pm | Studio 64 | by donation | light snacks provided | no host bar
Home Grown Coffee House
January 20 | 8 pm sharp | Centre 64 Theatre
Tickets $8 available at Centre 64 and Snowdrift Café
Have Camera Will Travel | “Biking in the Saguenay Region” (Quebec) - Kimberley Biker Babes
Travelogue
January 23 | 7:30 pm | Centre 64 Theatre | by donation
Screening of “The Moment” by Darcy Turenne
A feature-length documentary about the origin of freeride mountain biking
January 26 | Centre 64 Theatre
“Landmarks” by Katherine Russell, Julia Reimer & Tyler Rock
Ongoing Gallery Exhibition
January 30 – February 24 | Tuesday –Saturday | 1-5 pm | by donation
FEBRUARY 2018
“Landmarks” by Katherine Russell, Julia Reimer & Tyler Rock
Ongoing Gallery Exhibition
January 30 – February 24 | Tuesday –Saturday | 1-5 pm | by donation
“Women 4 Women”
Let us show you our ‘stuff’. Join us for a night of fashion, food & fun.
February 2 | Studio 64
Exhibition Opening Reception
“Landmarks” by Katherine Russell, Julia Reimer & Tyler Rock
February 3 | 2-4 pm | come meet the artists | refreshments will be served
Community Cultural Forum
February 7 | Studio 64
Art Movie Night
Watch a movie about art and share in a casual guided discussion afterwards
February 16 | 7:30 pm | Studio 64 | by donation | light snacks provided | no host bar
The Vagina Monologues
February 17 | Centre 64 Theatre
Winter Photographers’ Challenge
Photography Competition Fundraiser
February 23 | Centre 64 Theatre & Studio 64
For more info contact Natalie Skokan: 250-432-5277/ natalie.skokan@gmail.com
Have Camera Will Travel |
“2017 Purcell Traverse” – Steve Tersmette & Shawn Emmett
Travelogue
February 27 | 7:30 pm | Centre 64 Theatre | by donation
Main Gallery: Exhibition by Walter Comper
Upper gallery: “History of the Earl Grey Pass Trail”
Ongoing Gallery Exhibitions
February 27 – March 24 | Tuesday –Saturday | 1-5 pm | by donation
MARCH 2018
Main Gallery: Exhibition by Walter Comper
Upper gallery: “History of the Earl Grey Pass Trail”
Ongoing Gallery Exhibitions
February 27 – March 24 | Tuesday –
Saturday | 1-5 pm | by donation
Lilith 2018
Ladies-only night out featuring singers, musicians, dancers and other local talents
March 1-3 | Centre 64 Theatre & Studio 64
Exhibition Opening Reception
Exhibition by Walter Comper
March 3 | 2-4 pm | come meet the artist | refreshments will be served
AGM + Arts & Culture Awards Gala
March 6 | 7-9 pm | Centre 64
Gallery & Studio 64
Home Grown Coffee House
Great music by talented local artists
March 10 | 8 pm sharp | Centre 64 Theatre
Tickets $8 available at Centre 64 and Snowdrift Café
Art Movie Night
Watch a movie about art and share in a casual guided discussion afterwards
March 16 | 7:30 pm | Studio 64 | by donation | light snacks provided | no host bar
Live@Studio64 - Spring Concert Series
Concert #1: *Surprise* (TBA)
March 24 | 8 pm | Centre 64 Theatre |
$22-$26, series pass $60-$66 | Tickets available at Centre 64 or eastkootenay. snapd.com (check calendar)
Have Camera Will Travel | “We’ve walked this beach before” (Barbados) – Jim Webster
Travelogue
March 27 | 7:30 pm | Centre 64 Theatre | by donation
Sing-along Movie Night | “Dirty Dancing”
Dance & Sing-Along Movie Night Fundraiser
March 30 | 7 pm | Studio 64 | $12
Exhibition by Neal Weisenberg
Ongoing Gallery Exhibition
March 27 – April 21 | Tuesday –Saturday | 1-5 pm | by donation
Exhibition Opening Reception
Exhibition by Neal Weisenberg
March 31 | 2-4 pm | come meet the artist | refreshments will be served
MONDAY-FRIDAY 12PM-10PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 10AM-10PM 250-427-7200 KIMBERLEY, BC SPIRITROCKCLIMBING.COM
W: Britt Bates
P: Court Forster
Gazing into the calm water near the swampy shore of Eimer’s Lake in the Kimberley Nature Park (KNP), a blue heron stands on one leg, so still and quiet that for a moment, I’m certain it’s just in my imagination. I squint to stare a little harder, expecting the trees to retake their shapes and erase the nonexistent heron. Instead, it moves, graceful and quick, before resuming its position. Startled, I lean back on the bench I’m inhabiting at the other end of the lake, humbled to share a wild space with such an inquisitive, rare animal. The most dazzling part, I remind myself, is that it only took me three minutes or so to jog here from the start of my outing. This truly is our backyard.
Great blue herons are not the only unexpected animal you’ll find in the Kimberley Nature Park. The park is also home to the rubber boa, British Columbia’s only native boa constrictor, as well as the elusive northern alligator lizard, which camouflages itself on rockslides. As we wander the sprawling trails of the park, we can of course expect to see the animals that more frequently show themselves in this area: garter snakes, black bears, woodpeckers, and the ubiquitous deer are often spotted.
It goes without saying that the Kimberley Nature Park is not your average municipal park. It spans over 840 hectares, making it the largest municipal park in British Columbia, and the ground it covers is diverse. Thick groves of cedar trees tower, surrounded by ponds where the water gurgles up from beneath the ground. The dry grass sways on the arid swath of Sunflower Hill. Rocky spines of exposed ridges undulate across the land. With such varied topography, the Kimberley Nature Park is an incredible and abundant showcase of the natural ecosystems surrounding us.
As the KNP celebrates its 30th anniversary, there is a lot to be thankful for, beyond its stunning beauty – namely, the Kimberley Nature Park Society non-profit organization and its board of directors: a group of people dedicated to the stewardship of the Park. These folks work hard to uphold the three pillars of the Society: conservation, recreation, and education.
The Kimberley Nature Park Society was formed in 1987, right around the same time as Wildsight, which was then known as the East Kootenay Environmental Society. Kent Goodwin helped to spearhead both projects and is now the president of the Nature Park Society as well as a sitting board member. “We separated the two projects very early on,” Kent tells me. “We wanted the Park to have one mandate only: it’s about taking care of that area.”
It’s clear that Kent and the rest of the Society’s members are passionate about this mandate. Conservation, of course, is at the top of the priority list, and there’s a strong and ongoing focus on maintaining the area’s natural ecosystems. Initiatives such as controlling invasive and non-native plant populations are in full swing, and each year the Society works closely with the City of Kimberley to be proactive about fire prevention. They hire a well-known fire ecologist and a team of contractors to thin the forest to a natural state, or how it would have looked before a hundred years of preventing fires, which are an essential part of a thriving ecosystem.
There are many ways to get involved with the Nature Park Society’s efforts: if numbers and details are your thing, it’s easy to join the groups taking inventories of various species in the park. If you don’t mind a little dirt and sweat, volunteers build and maintain the trails. Perhaps the easiest and most effective way to contribute, though, is by simply becoming a member of the Nature Park Society: there is power in numbers, and the more members that the Society boasts, the louder its voice when it comes to important issues surrounding conservation. “But,” Kent reminds me, “conservation shouldn’t require too much action if we aren’t messing up.” I laugh at this poignant reminder. The Nature Park’s website is the best way to contact the Society for volunteer opportunities.
The Kimberley Nature Park is enjoyed by so many and for all different reasons. Mountain bikers take to the steep, winding single track for a rush of adrenaline. Hikers on foot or snowshoes wander leisurely, either connecting with a loved one away from the distraction of everyday life, or alone, to savour a solitude punctuated with birdsong and creek murmurs. Shed hunters wait patiently in the southern sunlight on Sunflower Hill, watching the deer’s quiet movements, ready to collect the antlers when they fall.
We’re lucky to be able to enjoy the beauty that the Park offers without having to travel far: with six entrances throughout town and an area that sprawls up the entire western side of Kimberley, from the Saint Mary valley all the way up to the ski hill, you’re usually never far from quiet, pristine, and protected wilderness – no matter where you stand.
THE GOOD LIFE OF BERT BANKS
W & P: Jeff Pew
Disclaimer: There’s a black-and-white photo in my colleague’s office: her father, Bert Banks, with his arm around his granddaughter. Years ago, I taped a cutout of my head over my colleague’s daughter, so it appeared as if Bert Banks was hugging me instead. “If Bert was my father,” I said, “I’d rule small countries. I’d discover a cure for cancer. I’d be that big-smiled guy walking down the road, waving at everyone. I’d thank people for the smallest things…”
“The other day, I was lying in bed thinking,” Bert Banks says, drinking coffee at his kitchen table. “I’m the last surviving Village of Chapman Camp resident. I can’t think of anyone else, but I don’t want to call around and ask if anyone’s still alive.”
Bert’s referring to Kimberley’s Chapman Camp neighbourhood that in 1930, the year he was born, housed Cominco’s Concentrator employees, responsible for separating particles within the ore body. It was its own village, complete with post office, grocery store, village council, school, fire department, skating rink, curling rink, and swimming pool. Its social hub, Oughtred Hall, housed a candy store, bowling alley and pool hall, reading room, dance hall, barber shop, and gas station. “It was quite something,” Bert says. “Imagine the size of it.”
These were the days of kids attaching wooden sleighs to horse-drawn snow ploughs, hitching rides in the ore train’s caboose, and learning how to milk cows. These were the days of toys that weren’t electric, of kids using their imaginations and disappearing for the day. “We were blessed,” Bert says. “It was a great place to grow up. It was a good life. People took care of each other.”
ON SERVICE TO OTHERS.
Outside Bert and Bev Banks’ kitchen window, a maple tree readies itself for winter. A gust of wind blows its leaves to the ground. Bert makes the tiny gesture of remembering: he rubs his thumb along a coffee cup, comfortable in the quiet of fall. “My dad instilled in me to have respect for everyone,” Bert says. “It didn’t matter if you were a king or a ditch digger. He said, ‘There’s good in everybody.’ That stayed with me.”
If you’ve driven on Kimberley’s main thoroughfare, Wallinger Ave., you’ve crossed Banks Street, named after Bert’s father Hubert, superintendent of Cominco’s Concentrator. “The biggest compliment anyone can pay me,” Bert says, “is to say I remind them of my dad. He was quite a guy.”
The value of service, of seeing the good in people, has weaved its way through Bert Banks’ life. He served 17 years on the City of Kimberley’s council, and has an impressive array of volunteer work.
“How can I put it?” Bert says. “My dad taught me things I’ve never forgotten: Always hold a door open for a lady. Be polite. Treat people with respect. Help someone out whenever you can.”
BERT BANKS’ COMMUNITY WORK
17 years on the City of Kimberley’s council
Longest serving volunteer board member of Community Futures
Lifetime membership award for the Association of Kootenay Boundary Municipalities
Five years on the board of the Kimberley Dynamiters, including terms as president and vice-president
Led initiative to bring the indoor pool to Kimberley (recognized in 2006 unveiling of the Kimberley Aquatic Centre’s Bert Banks Lap Pool)
ON
FALLING IN LOVE. WORKING. RAISING KIDS.
“I had my eye on her for quite a while,” Bert says laughing, referring to how he fell in love with Bev. “She was 14. I was 17. I told her I was younger than that. I didn’t want to scare her off. Eventually, we went on a date, and before long, we were driving to Cranbrook on Saturday nights in my ‘29 Chev. We’d eat at the Chinese cafe, then go see the Jimmy Pearson Band at the Blue Bird Dance Hall. It was a lot of fun.”
Bev, who’s more comfortable in the background, putters in the kitchen and laughs with the comfort of being around someone she’s known most of her life. “We dated for six years,” she says. “It took Bert’s mom a while to get used to it. I only kept him around because he had a nice car.”
“All of Bev’s girlfriends were getting married,” Bert says. “It got to the point where she didn’t think I’d ask her. I had to make up my mind.” He giggles. “I didn’t have much choice. Lucky for me, it’s worked out pretty well.”
“I wasn’t interested in university,” Bert recalls. I told my dad it would be a waste of money.
Instead, I got my machinist and millwright tickets. We moved to Los Angeles, where there was a sign on the sidewalk: Lathe Operator Required. I ended up as assistant shop foreman; within the year, I was in charge of forty guys.”
A few years later, homesick for Canada, they returned to Kimberley. “It wasn’t long before I got a job at Cominco, where I worked the next 38 years as a machinist then millwright,” Bert says. “I was so proud when everything was running perfectly. I got my training from a Scotsman. He was very particular. He didn’t mess around.”
Within a few years, their young family expanding, Bert felt like he wanted to contribute something to the community. “I felt fortunate and wanted to share that,” he says. “I ran for Chapman Camp Village council, and gosh, I won.” But it wasn’t all glamour and politics for Bert. “Among other duties, I was responsible for cleaning and servicing the outdoor pool,” Bert says. “Once, I had some surrounding trees removed because their roots were destroying the deck tiles. The people weren’t too happy about that. I thought my days were done. After that, we weren’t too sure whether we’d continue living in Chapman Camp, but we’ve stuck around for sixty years. I’m pretty sure they’ve forgotten about that by now.”
Eventually, every discussion with Bert winds its way back to his family, to the thing that matters most. He and Bev raised four kids, have six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Recently, the family spent four days putting a new roof on Bert and Bev’s house. “We swam, skied, and camped with them all the time,” Bert says. “They’re good kids. We had a lot of fun.”
ON KIMBERLEY.
“Kimberley has changed a lot over the years,” Bert says. “In the late ‘60s, we looked ahead and recognized the ore body wouldn’t last forever. Council didn’t want a one-horse mining town that devolved into a ghost town. We decided to focus on tourism and recreational opportunities. In 1973, we introduced a Bavarian theme to Kimberley. It was a hard sell at first, but we had to do something to keep the town going. Then, in the early ‘90s, when we discovered there were only ten years of ore left, we expanded our recreational initiative: we sold the ski hill, developed golf courses, and built a new campground. Despite losing essential services like our hospital and government agencies, we still have a pretty vibrant town. A lot of credit has to be given to the foresight of city council.”
During his years on council, Bert developed a reputation as a man you could trust. Larry Haber, who spent 21 years as Kimberley’s Director of Economic Development, reflects on his time working with Bert. “He was always open-minded,” Larry recalls. “He’d listen to all sides and come to the best decision based on what was best for the community, not his own agenda. He quietly spearheaded and implemented many social development and infrastructure projects (e.g., Mark Creek Dam) without the community’s awareness. His heart was invested in making Kimberley the best it could be. It was such a pleasure working with him.”
Councillor Albert Hoglund mirrors Haber’s sentiment: “Bert was a pleasure to work with and incredibly knowledgeable when dealing with local government. As well, he was not afraid to speak his mind on issues he felt passionate about.”
When Bert looks back on his tenure with council, he’s proud yet humble. “We made some important decisions for sustaining Kimberley’s future,” he says. “Yet, I felt there were times I still could have done more.”
IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES.
IT WAS THE WORKS OF TIME.
ON STAYING TOGETHER.
“Everything you do, you don’t do it for yourself,” Bert says, when he reflects on the 62 years he and Bev have been married. “You do it for each other. You’re always there for them. If they’re hurt, you’re there for them. If they want to do something, you’re there for them. You thank them for everything they do. It’s really pretty simple.”
“Plus, Bert does the vacuuming,” Bev says. “And I’ve always said, you have to be friends before you’re lovers.”
“And we’re pretty great friends,” Bert says.
Bert’s basement office is a shrine to what he values most, its walls adorned with precious photos: weddings, graduations, anniversaries, dance recitals and hockey games, and the historic day in 1950, when he and his father were invited to witness the engineering feat of the 3700 and 3900-foot level tunnels being joined. Bev searches through the filing cabinet and pulls out a 65-yearold brochure celebrating the Banff Winter Carnival. On page two, there’s a description of Canada’s increased comforts due to industrial progress: a million homes have refrigerators, 623,000 homes have radios. On the next page, there are diagrams on how to prepare for an atomic bomb attack. Bev points to the cover: a black-and-white photo of Canada’s Carnival Queens posing under a massive snow sculpture. Standing beside the Toronto Queen is Kimberley’s Queen, the future Bev Banks. “Now you know why I married her,” Bert says.
ON STICKING AROUND.
Bert doesn’t plan on disappearing anytime soon. He walks to the pool three times a week, where he swims ten to twenty lengths. On the other two weekdays he meets his old buddies at the Sully Pub, where they reminisce about the old days. “Sadly, we’re losing our numbers,” Bert says.
“I think about life not going on forever, how the years seem to go quicker and quicker. But, I’ve enjoyed this life. I really have. What bothers me about getting old is I can’t do the things I used to do,” Bert says. “It used to take me a day to winterize the raspberries. Now it takes me three weeks. I’ve always said, ‘The impossible always take me a bit longer.’ I never give up. There’s nothing like a challenge to develop character.”
Just before dinner, Bert becomes quiet, like something’s on his mind. Bev stirs a pot on the stove. It’s the sort of scene we dream of as kids and grandchildren: two people in the silent comfort of each other’s company.
Bert looks up. “Things constantly change,” he says. “Why just the other night, we went to the Platzl for pizza. The restaurant was full of young people. I didn’t recognize a soul. I’ve been here 87 years. You’d think I’d know somebody.” He pauses, then chuckles. “I go to the graveyard, and I know a few folks there. I’m not sure what’s in store for the future. I’d hate to think I’m done. Think there’s still something left in me.”
relax, renew, & recharge at
W: Monica Karaba
P: Kata Schaeffer
Spacious. Beautiful. Inviting. The minute you walk through the door you can’t help but to take a deep breath and feel yourself relax. As you take off your shoes, more of the outside world is left behind. Calm pervades the atmosphere as well as the staff who greet you. Such care in every detail. The waiting room, reception area, and treatment areas are open, minimal, and understatedly elegant. The carefullysourced, natural, Canadian-made products on display hint at the pampering to come.
So many choices for self-care and rejuvenation, whether you have half an hour or two hours. Will you unwind with a session in the float tank, soak up the warmth and negative ions in the infrared salt room, or take advantage of Shawna L’Heureux’s 24 years of expertise in holistic skin care? How about a luxurious seaweed body wrap, glacial clay foot therapy,
Christi
or a chemical-free mani/pedi? Whatever you choose from the extensive menu of healing and beautifying services, you will find yourself wanting more after receiving such attentive care in this tranquil and peaceful space.
How did such an oasis find its way to Kimberley? Shannon Olsen, Co-owner and Spa Manager, was once Shawna’s former client. She admired Shawna’s depth of knowledge and quality of skin care so much that she approached Shawna about partnering. When Shawna excitedly shared with Shannon her binder of business ideas revealing a similar vision, they knew it was destiny. Together, they set about creating a comprehensive wellness destination for the East Kootenays, with world-class spa and skin care services as well as state-of-the-art sensory deprivation and Himalayan salt therapies.
“I feel like my entire mind and body has hit the reset button. I cannot stop smiling as I feel like a new person.”
Allissa
“Bliss, chill, atmospheric, and of course Zen. Love that we have this facility in our mountain town.”
Erin
“The float was such a unique experience! I felt literally weightless. I came out so relaxed with zero tension.”
Shannon and Shawna are the perfect complement to each other. Shawna will tell you how organized and good at business details Shannon is in addition to having an amazing ability to intuit what each client needs emotionally as well as practically. Shannon is also quick to emphasize her partner’s strengths, “Shawna is so passionate about what she does and so skilled that it’s important she can focus on her clients.”
Zen Mountain’s advanced skin analysis practice is the only one of its kind in the region. Shawna specializes in micro-current and light therapy as well as hydra facials. Along with correcting many different types of skin issues, clients find regular treatments also reverse the signs of aging. Not only do her clients feel better, Shawna says they also regain confidence.
“I had one client burst into tears after she looked in the mirror because she liked what she saw for the first time in years.”
Janyce
“You’ve created a wonderful space for men and women to enjoy some time out from the real world.” Find “Zen Mountain Float + Wellness” on Facebook
• Enhances imagination, creativity, & problem solving
• Increases confidence, concentration, and calmness
While a visit to Zen Mountain Float + Wellness usually evokes relaxation and pleasure, there may be other emotions as well sometimes as people release tensions and traumas. Shannon, Shawna, and the staff make it a priority to ensure that clients feel safe and comfortable, especially with floating or salt therapy sessions, which people may be trying for the first time.
Shawna and Shannon have shared many heartfelt experiences of how therapeutic their services can be. One couple found a float session helped to relieve some of the grief they were feeling after losing a beloved pet. On another occasion, a firefighter with PTSD came out of his float emotional and grateful at the stress he was able to release.
While Zen Mountain’s float tanks are beneficial for everyone, they are also a great resource for athletes. The Dynamiters hockey team has been using them this season. Many players come regularly and say it gives them a winning advantage.
Plenty of time is scheduled between appointments, so you won’t see estheticians running around or feel rushed in any way at Zen Mountain Float + Wellness. Once your session is over, you can still take it slow and luxuriate in the serenity and softness as you sip the custom-brewed herbal tea. Allow yourself to continue breathing slowly and deeply as you put your shoes back on and head out the door ready to return to the world. Revitalized. Re-energized. Zen.
W & P: Jill Christie
It’s noon. Fresh tire tracks wiggle and wind through the unmarked landscape heading for the lakeside. People of all ages pile out of their vehicles ready for work. Axes meet wood to build the fire, shovels scrape rhythmically back and forth along the ice surface to create a rink worth skating on. Parents are fussing over hats, gloves, and tucked-in boots and unloading gear for the day. Coolers are parked close to the fire and benches are made! Ahh, this is hanging by the lakeside in winter!
The sun-soaked rays warm our cheeks, and the fire rages, creating an inviting source of heat. Words expressed by lips become enveloped in wispy breaths. The winter air grasps onto the warm moisture from the mouths of the fire bathers, wafting up everywhere. Toques are pulled down over ears, puffy jackets and snow pants are donned by all, and gloves act to protect the hands. Inside the shell of winter wear, all are toasty and full of winter joy. Snacks and drinks circulate, stories are told and re-told, and laughter is prevalent. All around the fire ring are patterns of boot treads from stamping, shuffling, and toeing snow into tiny piles.
Children of all ages play in a variety of ways. Some lay still and silent soaking up the deep insulated quiet that only comes with winter and snow. Others scream with delight as they gallivant up and down small slopes with sleds. Kids are running, skating, skiing, and wrestling while adults work at breaking holes through the ice. The children have two things in common: all that can be seen are eyes, cheeks, and mouths (the rest is undercover); and they are happy!
By three o’clock the sun slowly sinks into the tree-covered hillside. The landscape is peaceful with periodic breezes in the tree tops, the whomping of the lake ice, the crunching of snow under footsteps, and the crackling of the fire. Snow crystals glitter like stars in the Milky Way under the rays of sun. The landscape is vibrant and crisp yet coated in muted earthy tones, contrasted by an array of brightly-coloured winter clothing scattered across the snowscape.
Out on the ice, the energy is big. The sound of ice skates carving, stepping, and scoring out lines is frenzied but cheerful. The skaters whisk back and forth from one end to the other, steam drifting off of their backs and out of their mouths. They are stripped down to the bare-thread minimum, trying to stay cool, trying to score between two boots! Periodically, over the sound of the skates, are the shouts of victory, the oohs and aahs of mispassed pucks and close calls. These vocal vibra tions travel to unseen limits where banks of land send the cheers back in the form of echoes. The chopping, clipping sounds of the wooden sticks controlling the puck bounce across the lake and get lost, muffled in the trees.
Above the tree line only half the sun can be seen now. There are only minutes left before it sinks out of sight, onto its southern course for the underside of the earth. Dusk approacheth! Things start slowing down and with the loss of sun-heat, there is a loss of energy. The cooler air starts to bed down for the night, sinking into its little lake depression. Frost on moustaches, beards, and eyelashes; cold starts to sting the cheeks. The skaters scurry to find layers of clothing strewn around the hand-shoveled rink. Sweat quickly turns into a problem if left too long on unprotected skin. As the air fills with wet wood smoke, skates are pulled off, relieving feet temporarily before they are slid into stiff, frozen boots. With the fire snuffed out, it is time to pack up and head home.
We are the last family left at the lakeside now, well after dusk. The world has fallen under a quilt of heavy quiet. With the sun well on its cyclic route, a new light joins the scene. The moon half-full and brightly defined, throws shadows across the open lake. In the depths of the quietest moment we have heard all day, our son whispers, as though not to disturb anything, “I love winter.” With a thank-you bid to the land we enjoyed, we leave knowing we will be back.
Mon: 11am-4pm Tues-Sat: 11am-6pm
Ski In Ski
$1,999,990
: Britt Bates
It’s a sunny winter afternoon, and inside the gymnasium at the Kimberley Independent School, laughter and shouts ring off the walls. A few athletes from the Kimberley Dynamiters are playing floor hockey with the kids, after some spending time in the classroom reading with them. Later, after finishing up some homework from their classes at the high school, they might shovel the driveways around their billet family’s home. These are youth who bring far more than hockey to their community: they also bring a sense of stewardship, responsibility, and pride.
Some of these players grew up in Kimberley, perhaps in families with long-standing ties to the team. Others were recruited by the Dynamiters from other places. And still others sought out Kimberley themselves, having heard of the Dynamiters’ excellent reputation, as well as the long, storied history that accompanies it.
W
It’s a history as rich as it is complex: the team has been playing since the 1930s, in several forms and in many different leagues. These days, the Dynamiters play in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League as a Junior B team. But the team’s boundless success began as a Senior AAA team playing in the Western International Hockey League. It was a league that spanned not just Western Canada, but up to Alaska and all the way down to Phoenix as well.
Notably, that team took home the Allan Cup in 1978, an achievement that was broadcast not only in papers throughout the Kootenays, but also across Canada and the United States. It was a success that defined the team, who had worked hard to achieve it.
“We were tough, and we learned from past players,” Aurel (Frenchie) Beaudin tells me, one of the members of that outstanding team. Beaudin played for the Dynamiters for 13 years and later went on to coach and manage, before helping create the Junior Dynamiters. “We were all ex-pros, or went on to be professional,” he explains, referring to the fact that the players made excellent salaries: more than NHL players were paid at that time. The Dynamiters were sought after.
Cominco played an important role in the Dynamiters’ success, evidenced not only in the team name. Right up until its closure, the mine recruited professional hockey players to Kimberley from across Canada, always creating for them a well-paid job at the mine and opportunities to learn a trade: part of the reason why coming to Kimberley to play hockey was a lucrative move.
Working at Cominco meant the players knew the fans personally and were often stopped while walking through town. At home games, the Civic Center would be packed to capacity, often with 2400 fans filling the seats. The athletes were integral and wellknown community members, which the current Dynamiters still are today.
The atmosphere in Kimberley was wildly festive when the Dynamiters won the Allan Cup, one of the biggest achievements in hockey at the time. But it was a long road to get there, Beaudin explains to me. “Earlier that season, we played a game in Nelson, and lost 19 to 1,” he says as he leans back in his chair, hands folded behind his head, reeling through the memories. “We had a lot of injured players, and we were all pretty down. On Monday I went back to work at the concentrator, and everyone was giving me hell about the performance. So I took a pen and paper and wrote down all their comments.” Words of motivation. He chuckles.
The team worked hard that year and comradery flourished. “We each brought something unique to the team. Wayne Bell was an excellent goaltender. Some players were smart. Some tough. Some great shooters. We had a lot of trust in each other,” Beaudin explains. The word trust comes up time and time again when we talk about the Allan Cup team. It was a group of friends who knew where their strengths were, who felt confident in each other and themselves.
The players held one another to a high standard though, letting each other know when they were falling short on the ice. Conversations that often became heated. “I can remember tears in the dressing room,” Beaudin says. “But then, you know, we’d put our arms around each other’s shoulders and go have a beer.” He smiles.
When I ask what it felt like the moment they won the Cup, Beaudin pauses. “It’s hard to find the words.” His voice drifts off. “Exciting. Amazing. I’m not sure what to say.” But his grin widens.
Beaudin is emphatic about sharing the success among all players equally. “At the end of the day, we were tough, we were organized, and we all got along,” he says. “And that’s what makes champions.”
The festive air that the championship created still lingers in town, decades later. When I speak to Glen Johnston, the vice-president of the Dynamiters in their current incarnation, he tells me of folks who haven’t missed a home game since the Senior AAA days. “My parents have been going for twenty-odd years,” he says. “Their friends sit in front of them, always in the same seats, keeping track of stats simply for their own knowledge.”
This sentimental commitment could be fueled by the sense of small-town pride the team ignites in its fans. “It’s homegrown talent,” Johnston says.
“When you’re watching it live and you have a personal connection to it, it becomes more meaningful.”
Johnston and his wife Tasha, who is also a sitting board member for the team, have been a billet family for the past eight seasons. “The players really do become a member of the family,” he says.
“Years after they’ve moved on, they’ll still come by, let themselves in, and make themselves at home.”
After they leave the team and their billet’s home, a lot of those players go on to shining success, fulfilling dreams that flickered in their minds since childhood. An impressive handful of Kimberley locals went on to play in the NHL, such as Jason Wiemer, who moved on to the Tampa Bay
Lightning and then beyond; and even more recently, Carter Bancks, who is currently the captain of the Utica Comets, the AHL affliliate of the Vancouver Canucks. In total, eighteen Dynamiters have moved on to play professionally in the NHL. “That’s what we strive for. We want them to continue on,” Johnston says. “This can be an important stepping stone.” One to some amazing places it seems.
Back in Kimberley, the Civic Center fills up. Locals pile in – usually reaching around six hundred fans, or up to a thousand during playoff season. These numbers are high, given the population of Kimberley, an impressive per-capita turnout. High school kids roam and laugh in packs. Parents sip coffees while their kids’ energy levels creep upward. Groups of friends who haven’t seen each other since last weekend line up for beers. It’s more than a hockey game: It’s an event.
The expectant ice gleams, smoothed by the Zamboni for a thousandth time. The excited hum of chatter, which will regain its strength soon, dies down just a little. The crowds pause their ebb and flow. We watch. The puck is about to drop.
W: Jeff Pew
P: Jeff Pew
I didn’t know Kimberley from Kitimat. One was in northern BC, the other out east. There was a teaching job in Kimberley and, apparently, a decent ski hill. The plan was simple: take the job for a few years, make some turns, and return home. That was twenty-six years ago.
What I didn’t know as I puttered into town in my ‘71 VW van, was that I’d fall in love with this quiet community, the highest city in Canada whose altitude suffocates any attitude people might have. It’s a town where we’re kind to each other. Patient. Forgiving. We celebrate yellowing trees, dirtbags, and get nostalgic about lederhosen, yodelling, and Snoopy-painted fire hydrants. We brag about bocce and stroll through streets without cars. At night, Santa Claus drives through town on a fire truck, kids beaming as they race to the road. We bet on rubber ducks drifting down creeks and argue whether it’s a good or great place to be.
And, of course, there’s this ski hill, North Star Mountain (aka Kimberley Alpine Resort), three minutes from downtown. A mineral-bellied hill whose legendary runs are named after extinct mining claims: Buckhorn. Dreadnaught. Dorval. Flush. The humble beginnings of people who craved adventure when they weren’t underground. Miners who skied with their buddies and buried homemade wine in hideouts among trees. A town who volunteered to help build its first day lodge, where kids scurried under the
deck for adults’ lost change. A hill which boasts 1,800 acres of terrain and some of the best sunlight and champagne powder in Canada. And these legendary out-of-bound sun pits, where locals gather with guitars, beers, and barbecues.
A hill with humble, hard-earned turns.
We watched our kids grow up on North Star Mountain. At two years old, they learned to ski. A few turns later, we packed their lunch, dropped them off in the morning, and they disappeared for the day. When we picked them up at night, we found this gang of eight-year-olds, mattedhair salamanders, lounging in the cafeteria like they owned the place. Years later, we received a call from the head ski patrol who busted our oldest son building a jump. When asked to provide his name, our son replied, “Santiago Sanchez.”
For the first time in his life, we witnessed our son wrestle the complex feeling of being simultaneously sad and angry, as he lost his ski pass for a week over the Christmas holidays.
Each, in our own way, call this hill home.
Lyle Grisedale drove throughout western Canada to tell people about it. Darren Thorburn skied the best mountains in the world and returned to it. Ted Funston got married because of it. Chelsea Boyd Gibson closes her eyes at night and dreams about it.
LYLE GRISEDALE
STAYING ON TOP OF THE BUMPS
“Are you afraid of moguls?” Lyle Grisedale posed in his weekly newspaper article on skiing. An accompanying ad announced: “Let Us Show You How to Use the Design of Your Skis.” It was 1971, and Lyle had just moved to Kimberley to run Lyle Grisedale’s Kimberley Ski School. North Star Mountain was a locals’ hill with only rudimentary features: a day lodge, a T-bar, and a recent addition, the Buckhorn Chairlift. Lyle had a vision: expand North Star into a business that would benefit Kimberley’s economy, especially with Sullivan Mine scheduled to close in twelve years.
So, he went on a road trip.
“I had so many newly-designed brochures in my trunk, my front wheels were almost off the ground,” he recalls. He arrived in Winnipeg with no set plan, other than stopping at every little town in Western Canada to make presentations to skiers, ski clubs, and
chambers of commerce. Within five minutes of arriving at Likely, Saskatchewan, he had thirty people committed to attend his presentation. He slept in the Mayor’s spare room. That year, eight people from Likely arrived in Kimberley for a week’s ski holiday. Since no restaurants were open for dinner, Lyle fed them at his house. In mornings, he took them to Aikman’s Café for breakfast.
By 1974, three buses arrived from Likely, and Kimberley’s future as a destination resort began. For $42.50, you’d get five nights’ accommodation at the Sylvia Motel and five-day lift tickets. For an extra 50 cents a day, you’d get a kitchen unit. Wednesday nights featured a baseball game on skis, and Fridays, the Miner’s Den windup banquet.
For the first four years, “I never had a day off,” Lyle says. “I worked from 7 am till midnight and loved it.”
These days, Lyle continues to make turns at Kimberley Alpine Resort, and as an ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) guide, he spends summers leading tourists through multi-day trips to the Bugaboo Mountains. As well, he’s a level four ski instructor and examiner and an accomplished photographer, capturing East Kootenay wildlife.
At the top of Anton’s, today’s skier should heed Lyle’s advice written almost fifty years ago: “You should not be afraid of moguls. Turn uphill on the side of the mogul. At the top, your skis pivot under your feet without encountering much resistance.” Reading this, Lyle chuckles. “Not much has changed since then,” he says. “The gear keeps improving, but you still want to stay on top of the bumps. That’ll never change.”
CHELSEA GIBSON
WHEN WE NEVER HIT THE GROUND
In her recurring dream, she is soaring through the air, windcheeked and weightless, the Rosa Roller behind her. “Every time I’m doing a different trick,” she says. “Old school: Spread Eagles. Double Daffies. 360s. No matter what the trick is, I never land it. I’m always just flying through the air.”
“When I’m nostalgic, I think about the hill,” 31-year-old Chelsea Boyd Gibson says. “I dream about it.” Like many millennials who grew up here, Chelsea’s returned and settled in Kimberley after years away.
She remembers skiing as a threeyear-old, crying, tethered by her mom and a ski leash, spending as much time in the daycare as pizza-pieing on the hill. “In grade five, following in my older brother Shayne’s footsteps, I joined the Kimberley Freestyle team,” Chelsea recalls, “and everything changed.” These were the days of Kimberley freestyle legends: Josh Dueck, Trennon Paynter, Adrian Taggart, and Myles Ricketts. “We spent weeknights and weekends
slingshotting up the T-Bar and lapping the Tower Four mogul course,” she says. “We were badass, outlaws of the ski hill. We wore shirts with taunting logos: “Ski racing is a disease. Freestyle is the cure.” Boyd Gibson, one of two females in the club, felt like she’d found her community. She felt like she belonged.
With her buddies Ashlin Tipper and Melissa Rawson, they built jumps in Moe’s Canyon. “We were too embarrassed to practice on the hill near the guys,” she says, “so we practised in Moe’s, bailing on 360s safely in powder. When we got good enough, we’d go show off to the guys.”
As Chelsea’s skills progressed, she travelled to freestyle competitions in BC and Alberta, dreaming of representing Canada at the Olympics. “Then, mom got sick,” she says. “I stayed close to home. I didn’t want to be away from my mom, and freestyle’s pretty expensive.” In a few short years, sadly, Chelsea’s mom passed away.
“I stopped skiing,” she says. “I associated skiing with my mom. It hurt too much.”
Since then, Chelsea’s married and has returned to skiing, both on the hill and in the backcountry. As well, she’s established a successful career as yoga studio owner, massage practitioner, creator of natural health products, and as a professional photographer. She reunites with her outlaw freestyle gang once a year for a tailgate coffee and Baileys reunion in the back parking lot. Last year, someone brought a living room couch. “All afternoon we rip moguls, and launch twisters and spread eagles off natural features,” she says. “I live for that day.”
And at nighttime, Chelsea Boyd Gibson dreams: she is soaring through the air, stretching her limbs like a bird, everyone she loves beneath her. She never hits the ground. She just keeps flying...
“I LIVE FOR THAT DAY.”
It’s two weeks before the scheduled opening of Kimberley Alpine Resort, and its general manager, Ted Funston, has just met with his staff to discuss snow conditions. One of the biggest November dumps has succumbed to warm weather. Ted looks at the bright side: the snow has settled into one of the best bases in years. “This is the ski industry,” Ted says, his unfinished lunch still on his desk. “We make the best of what we’ve got, and this year, we’re starting with a fantastic base.”
It’s obvious that Funston, who moved to Kimberley seven years ago, loves his job. “I work with clients who show up ready to have a great day,” he says. Funston, who originally came for the work, has turned down other job offers to make Kimberley home. “I couldn’t help but talk it up to everyone I know. Many have moved here: five
TED FUNSTON
WHAT KEEPS ME HERE
close friends, my mom, and my sister’s family. I have my dream job, and most importantly, I fell in love and married a Kimberley girl, so it seems like I’m sticking around for a while.”
Funston describes the laid-back charm, so unique to Kimberley: “One Saturday we got a foot of fresh snow. People arrived early to get the coveted first tracks. We had a slight delay in loading due to a wind delay at top. I went out in my uniform to explain this to people bracing myself for the worst, based on my experience at other resorts. The first guy I spoke to shocked me. He said, ‘No worries, there’s lots of snow up there.’ For the next fifteen minutes, I didn’t come across an angry skier or boarder. This blew my socks off and made me fall in love with the community even more.”
When Funston talks, his enthusiasm for the resort’s conditions is obvious. He talks about the huge terrain, the consistency of the snow, the on-hill accommodations and conference centre, and the proximity of the airport. He talks about how fast the community is growing and the amazing golf in summer, but he always returns to the less-tangible qualities that keeps him here: that this hill was built by the generations before he arrived: tradesmen, miners, builders, and parents. That this hill has history, and the people that live here just want to do what they’ve been doing for years, enjoy this great hill. “I’ve got the best job in the world,” Funston says. “And, besides, there’s another pretty great thing: I get to ski a lot.”
“IT SEEMS LIKE I’M STICKING AROUND FOR A WHILE.”
Darren Thorburn has stood where few humans ever have: behind the starting gates of Austria’s Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm downhill — aka, the Streif — considered the most demanding race course in the World Cup Circuit. Thorburn had just turned 19. Sixty thousand fans assembled below on a course where skiers reach speeds in excess of 140 km/hour. “My nerves were flying,” Thorburn says. “That’s how you know you’re ready.” He glimpsed the start gate’s door: a sudden drop-off, the flat light on the distant Alps. Excited, he waited his turn, then suddenly, everything stopped. Thorburn recalls, “There was a hold. Someone on the radio stated they were getting a chopper to clear the fog, but we knew someone had gone down.” In front of Thorburn was teammate Brian Stemmle, making his first return to Kitzbühel following a near-fatal crash. The racer in front of Stemmle clicked out of his bindings, picked up his skis and said, “I’m not going today. My knees are sore.”
DARREN THORBURN
THAT’S HOW YOU KNOW YOU’RE READY
Stemmle, who’d just recovered from eight months in a hospital, gave Thorburn a concerned look. Thorburn remembers thinking, ‘What can I stay to encourage Stem and keep myself focused for the first time down the Streif?’ I said, “Do what you do best Stem. Just ski it.” In a few minutes he was gone, and Thorburn’s poles were perched over the start wand. “I took a deep breath,” he says, “then everything became still, and I was gone.”
Thorburn, who spent nine years competing on the World Cup circuit for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, retired in 1996 and began a coaching career with the Alberta Alpine Ski Team. Years later, he wanted to slow the busy pace of life and relocate to a smaller town to start a family. And of course, his first criteria was a good hill.
In 2007, Thorburn and Tasha, his wife-to-be, made the move to Kimberley. “I raced here when I was ten,” Thorburn says. “Kimberley was familiar and I didn’t want to
fight the crowds of the larger resorts. And besides, I can be on the hill strapping my skis on in five minutes.”
Thorburn, who’s skied on the world’s biggest mountains, claims Kimberley as one of his favourite hills. “I laugh when people say it’s only a family hill,” Thorburn says. “On the back side, there’s a ton of steep runs with wicked fall lines.”
Thorburn, who appreciates a good powder day, still prefers the hardpack days, where he makes first tracks on a groomer. “Nothing’s better than throwing a line down on a good pair of tuned skis,” he says. “Dean’s Right, or Tramway if it’s groomed.”
These days, Thorburn’s focused on spending time with his favourite kid, his daughter Shay. “It’s her first year,” he says. “She’s only three. Hopefully she enjoys being on the hill. Hopefully, she enjoys the speed.”
“MY NERVES WERE FLYING.”
W: Andy Christie
P: Lucas Roach
Urban decay has always fascinated me… maybe from growing up in the city and always seeing old buildings in various states of disrepair or how nature continues on without notice or opinion. Looking around Kimberley is part of my work ritual, and I always stumble upon its past, whether it be old basements, buildings, or structures.
This instalment is about the history of policing in Kimberley in a roundabout way. Exiting the rear parking lot of Kimberley’s Platzl, you will undoubtedly see the City’s post office building. It occupies a centre stage location and is made of earthy brick. The entire second floor, above the ground-floor workings of the post office, used to contain the federally-funded RCMP offices, jail cells, and residences of the officers in the detachment. Operating from 1950 (when the BCPP dissolved) to spring 1977, this central location housed both officers and alleged offenders under one roof. The now empty halls seem to echo the days of old under the Dominion of Canada. The holding cells that perpetrators resided in still have the outlines of the older style of barred jail cells affectionately known as “bear cages.” All that remains today is “government green” painted walls and reinforcing on both the inside and outside of the windows. Graffiti, artwork, and supportive slogans directed at the RCMP still live on the cell walls as a reminder of who was there and what offences had been committed.
Walking around in the labyrinth of dusty hallways and rooms, and hearing the stories of the old operating past of the building, provides for an emotional backstory to the building. Kimberley RCMP Sergeant Chris Newel told me of the uses of each room and anecdotal quips from previous employees. We talked in the reception area where each officer had their own drawer in the counter and imagined what would have been the contents. We walked up the dimly-lit rear entry stairs made of hard concrete and smiled at the effort it would have taken to climb those stairs to the holding cells by both officers and inebriated future occupants. The many chips in the concrete told their own story. The officers’ quarters (both sergeants and corporals were housed on site) were spartan but also perfectly situated for off-duty time in the City.
The RCMP moved to their current City of Kimberley funded location in 1977 and have been there ever since. Prior to the federal building location, the British Columbia Provincial Police station and barracks existed in the east parking lot of the A & G Foods grocery store.
The barred windows offer a reminder of the past in Kimberley to all who drive by… and spy.
A Microfilm reader is a device used in projecting and magnifying images stored in microform to readable proportions. Microform includes flat film, microfilm, aperture cards, microfiche, and ultra fiche. Using open reels or cassettes, microfilm is often used as a way to store many documents in a small space.
I SPY... SOMETHING WITH BARS
BDO has been a fixture in the Kootenay region for over 50 years. To better serve our area clients we are pleased to announce the opening of our Kimberley office in January, 2018. The office will be led by Senior Manager, Alan Rice. Alan and his team will provide corporate and personal tax advice, world-class accounting and bookkeeping services, and insight to owner-operated businesses five days a week.
We look forward to becoming an active member of the Kimberley business community. Come visit us in January. People
Meetings - Conferences - Weddings - Celebrations
Trade Shows - Launches - Sport Training - Tournaments
Make your next meeting extraordinarily unconventional. Set within a destination known for exceptional golfing and skiing, and located just 15 minutes away from the Canadian Rockies International Airport, the centre is designed to accommodate conventions and banquets of up to 500 folk. It also offers 4 breakout rooms for smaller meetings, and a pre-function space.
W: Britt Bates
P: Bailey Repp
Under the glow of the lights, the snowflakes shine against the darkness, bright as tinsel. You can see your breath in the air like a beacon, and the cold air filling your lungs nourishes your warmed-up body with its moving and stretching muscles. No reason to let the longer nights and chilly temperatures keep you indoors this winter. Being out among the pine trees on a dark winter evening has never looked more appealing.
The Masters at the Kimberley Nordic Club is a group of cross-country skiers that draws an impressive crowd each winter. What began in 2010 with a handful of coaches and twenty participants has grown into a thriving team of eight coaches and over fifty athletes who meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the winter, with one evening that focuses on the classic style of skiing and the other on skating. With so much popularity, there’s a possibility of adding an afternoon meet-up this winter, too. The participants’ ages range from mid-twenties to seventies, casting light on just how attractive the sport is to a wide array of people.
“I love it because it’s a lifelong sport,” Delia Christensen tells me, her enthusiasm shining through. Delia is one of the coaches with the Masters; like all of them, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. She’s right when she says lifelong: in races across the world, the best times are often snagged by athletes in their fifth or sixth decade. To me, this speaks highly of the athlete, of course, but also of the sport itself.
“The benefits are amazing,” Delia continues. “It uses all the major muscle groups. Not just the legs, but your shoulders, arms, and core, too.” It’s known to be an excellent complement to summer sports, such as cycling, and is easier on the joints than other activities, such as running.
It isn’t all about the exercise, though: having fun and enjoying one another’s company are foundational in the Masters. The group regularly relaxes after its ski to indulge in a beer or glass of wine around a roaring fire in the Nordic Club’s beautiful lodge, and it frequently hosts potlucks. “It’s perfect for those who think the winters are long, dark, or lonely,” Delia says. “It’s a great way to get out there and connect while just having fun.”
Each session, the Masters split into three smaller groups; the largest among them is Recreational Fitness. This group is perfect for those who know the basics of cross-country skiing or who are already active. Then there’s Technique Development, with a stronger instructional component geared toward those who are just starting out. Lastly, the Faster Masters focuses on drills, such as intervals or timed hill climbs. So regardless of your ability, there’s a comfortable place for you in the Masters.
All eight coaches bring something unique to the team, with their varied specialties and experiences. Take for instance, Delia, who has raced in Masters World Cups all over Europe. All of the instructors are certified and highly experienced skiers, whose mission is to make the sport enjoyable and fun for everyone.
But if “enjoyable and fun” means satisfying your competitive streak, there’s an option for that, too. The group often has opportunities to participate in loppets: races over varied terrain that attract everyone from high-end racers out for the podium to parents on a leisurely outing with their kids. No need to be intimidated: the 35-kilometer races offer shorter loops as well, and can be likened to the cross-country skiing version of a fun run or family-friendly half-marathon. Sometimes the KNC Masters will travel to take part in events hosted by Nipika, Golden, and Rossland, while Kimberley is home to the Kootenay Cup. “You don’t have to be a serious racer to enter,” Delia tells me. “It’s just about having fun and participating.”
Kimberley’s Nordic Club is renowned for what an amazing facility it is, with a high-end groomer and quality track setting. It’s lit up at night, making it always accessible. “It really is one of the many things that make Kimberley such an amazing place,” Delia says smiling.
Joining the Masters is easy: if you head to the Nordic Club’s website at kimberleynordic.org, you’ll find a link to the Masters’ page where you can register online. Whether it’s to keep up your health and fitness, make new friends, or just enjoy the crisp air on quiet winter evenings, those Tuesdays and Thursdays will undoubtedly offer something to look forward to.
FINALS
Kimberley, British Columbia MARCH 12-18, 2018
Our country’s most talented ski racers compete against up-and-coming athletes from the USA and around the world.
3/12/2018 Ladies' Super-G
3/12/2018 Men's Alpine Combined
3/13/2018 Ladies' Alpine Combined
3/13/2018 Men's Super-G
3/14/2018 Ladies' Giant Slalom
3/14/2018 Men's Giant Slalom
3/15/2018 Ladies' Giant Slalom
3/16/2018 Men's Giant Slalom
3/17/2018 Ladies' Slalom
3/17/2018 Men's Slalom
3/18/2018 Ladies' Slalom
3/18/2018 Men's Slalom
Ryan Mckenzie First Place
Chelsea Gibson Peoples Choice
coming events
Dec 15| Columbia Valley Rockies vs. Dynamiters | Civic Centre| 7:30 pm
Dec 17| Sundays in December | Sleigh Rides, Skating, etc.| Fort Steele | 10 am – 4 pm
Dec 20| FREE Family Swim | Kimberley Aquatic Centre | 6-7 pm
Dec 22-24, 26-Jan 1| Holiday Night Skiing | Kimberley Alpine Resort | 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Dec 23| Photos with Santa | Kimberley Alpine Resort | 1 pm
Dec 23-24, 26-30| Kidz Night Out | Trickle Creek Lodge/KAR | 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
275 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.2833 City of Kimberley
340 Spokane St. / 250.427.5311 Fortis BC
1.888.224.2710
SERVICES FOR SENIORS
Golden
Lindsay Park Elementary School
l602 Salmo St. / 250.427.2255
Marysville Elementary School
546 309 Ave. / 250.427.2241
McKim Middle School
689 Rotary Dr. / 250.427.2283
RM International Student Program
555 McKenzie St. / 250.427.2245
Selkirk Secondary School
405 Halpin St. / 250.427.4827
PROPERTY & FINANCIAL
BDO - Accounting/Tax/Advisory
35 10th Ave., S., Cranbrook
250.426.4285
CIBC Wood Gundy
Cranbrook 1.800.665.2192
Nelson 1.888.621.1555
Trail 1.800.919.3444
EK Hot Tubs & Maintenance
ekhottubs.com / 250.432.5846
Janis CaldwellRBC Mortgage Specialist
250.417.1336
Karly Berry - Sun Life Financial
249 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.0058
Marilyn Jolie - Realtor EK Realty
385 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.8700
REMAX Caldwell Agencies Ltd
290 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.2221
RHC Insurance
#38 Cranbrook Street North Cranbrook / 250.489.1220
Rockies Law Corporation
290 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.0111
Royal Le Page - East Kootenay Realty
385 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.0070
Ryan Berry - Sun Life Financial
249 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.0058
United Communities forestcrowne.com / 403.265.6180
SHOPPING
Arrow & AxeHome of Ginjer Jar Jewelry
On the Platzl / arrowandaxe.ca
Berley Skate
110 Howard Street / 778.481.5161
Big Magic Design
220 Spokane Street / 778.481.5262
Bohemian Spirits
boehimanspirits.com / 800.919.2951
Centex/Kimberley Go Fresh Market
521 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.4944
Dragon’s Rest Working Studios
35 Ross St. / 250.427.3599
Funhogz Gear Exchange
917 Kootenay St. N, Cranbrook
250.417.2828
The Grater Good
245 Spokane Street / 250.427.2333
Handz On Evolution
255 Spokane St. / 250.427.8002
Kassa
145 Deer Park Ave. / 250.432.9001
Kara Clarke Designs
250.427.6013
Kimbeley Kritters Pet Boutique
550B Mark St. / 778.481.5440
KnickerKnacker -
Gift Shack & Loose Leaf Tea Bar
250.427.5830 / 369 Spokane St.
Meadowbrook Motors
8983 Hwy 95A / 250.427.7690
moody bee
230 Spokane St. / 250.427.2252
Olives Unstuffed
120 Spokane St. / 778.481.5355
Over Time Beer Works
136 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.2426
Papa’s Pipe Shop
418 304th St. / 250.427.2062
Purcell Outdoors
196 Spokane St. / 778.481.5300
Rustic Hutch Consignment Ltd
724 304 St. / 250.427.7227
Sprout Health Market
196 Spokane St. / 250.427.5523
Talaria Footware
196 Spokane St. / talaria.ca
Togs & Toys
380 Wallinger Ave. / 250.427.2512
Townsite Grocery
486 - 4th Ave / 250.427.2138
Urban Settler
701 2nd Ave., Fernie / 250.423.0820
Velvet Moss
160 Deer Park Ave. / 250.427.3130
Wine Works in Cranbrook & Kimberley
395 St. Mary’s Ave. / 250.427.5155
109 3 St. S., Cranbrook / 250.489.2739
CONTRUCTION & INSTALLATION
JRK Custom Surfaces
www.jrkcustomsurfaces.ca
952 - 313th Drive/ 250.417.9099
New Dawn Developments
1524 Industrial Rd. #2, Cranbrook
250.489.1519 / 250.426.9709
The Water Guy
600 Industrial Rd. 1, #12-13, Cranbrook
250.489.4000
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Creekside Physiotherapy
D-417 304 St. / 250.427.2202
Fruition Wellness
A-435 304 St. / 250.427.0717
Irie Bodywyrks & Source Essentials
iriesource.com / 250.427.8007
Mandala Birth
250.427.8877
Mane Street Salon 571 304 St. / 778.481.2009
Meadowsweet Yoga & Wellness
100 Deer Park Ave. / 250.427.0919
One Love Hot Yoga
63 Deer Park Ave. / 250.432.5598
Purcell Physiotherapy Clinic
260 4th Ave. / 250.520.0344
Purcell Wellness - RMT
250.908.0034
Reiki for You
250. 432.9978
Shawna L’Heureux
Holistic Skin Care Specialist
315 Wallinger Ave. / 250.432.9978
Sole to Soul Esthetics Studio 3-448 304 St. / 250.427.3268
Swag Hair Studio 518 - 304th Street / Unit #5 Marysville / 250.602.9247
Tamarack Dispensaries 1-518 304 St., Unit #1 / 778.481.5297
Zen Mountain Float + Wellness
315 Wallinger Ave. / 250.432.9978
RECREATION
Blue Lake Centre
2279 Cranbrook St. N., Cranbrook
250.426.3676
Bootleg Gap Golf Course
400 315 Ave. / 1.877.427.7077
Boulder Hut
boulderhutadventures.com / 208.597.3407
Centre 64 - Kimberley Arts Council
64 Deer Park Ave. / 250.427.4919
Cominco Gardens
306 3rd Ave. / 250.427.2293
Fisher Peak Camping & Trailer Rentals Ltd.
416 Van Horne St. S., Cranbrook / 250.581.2090
Fort Steele Heritage Town FortSteele.ca / 250.417.6000
Key City Theatre
20 14 Ave. N., Cranbrook / 250.426.7006
Kimberley Alpine Resort
301 Northstar Blvd. / 250.427.4881
Kimberley Aquatic Centre
520 Archibald St. / 250.427.2983
Kimberley Dynamiters
Kimberleydynamiters.net 250.427.1931
Kimberley Golf Club
415 302 Ave. / 250.427.4161
Kimberley Heritage Museum
105 Spokane St. / 250.427.7510
Kimberley Underground Mining Railway
115 Gerry Sorensen Way / 250.427.0022
Kootenay Raft Co.
220 Ross St. / 1.877.777.7238
Spirit Rock Climbing Center
110 Deer Park Ave. / 250.427.7200
Trickle Creek Golf Resort
500 Gerry Sorensen Way
1.888.874.2553
ACCOMMODATIONS
A B&B at 228
228 Stemwinder Drive / 250.427.5454
AlpenGlow B&B
3 Alpenglow Ct / 250.427.0273
Casa Solar
530 – B Cummings Rd
+44.800.085.3815
Chateau Kimberley Hotel & Art Gallery
78 Howard St. / 250.427.1500
Kimberley Riverside Campground
500 St. Mary Lake Rd. / 1.877.999.2929
The Solar Suite
530-B
Kimberley Transit
Free Downtown Shuttle!
Catch a ride downtown to explore the many dining and shopping opportunities in Kimberley. The Peak to Platzl Downtown Shuttle is a free transportation service between the Kimberley Alpine Resort base area, on-mountain accommodations and the downtown shops, pubs, and restaurants.
Beginning Wednesday, December 27, the Shuttle will operate every day (except statutory holidays) until March 29. On New Year’s Eve the shuttle will operate on the Saturday schedule.
Morning trips have been added to the schedule this year. And on weekedays for $6 return trip from Cranbrook you can catch the KC Commuter bus (bctransit.com) for a worry free day of fun on the snow!
The shuttle is jointly funded by the participating businesses, the City of Kimberley, Tourism Kimberley, the Kimberley Alpine Resort, BC Transit, and the BC Resort Municipality Initiative.
Please visit www.kimberley.ca or www.tourismkimberley.com for more information on fun things to do in Kimberley. Find your adventure here.
