How to buy a vacation home for a quarter of the price

More vacation opportunities are opening up all the time. Do we want a cabin, a timeshare condo, a vacation week in a hot climate, or a weekend at the ski hill? Many factors influence our decisions. [Read more]

Lake Windermere, UK — our 'sister lake'

Gerry Taft, Mayor of the District of Invermere, and Heather Leschied, representative from Wildsight, recently travelled to the Lake District of northern England to attend the Living Lakes Conference. At that time the connection was made between two ’sister’ lakes, Lake Windermere in the UK and our Lake Windermere here in BC. [Read more]

Spirits Reach earns 'Builder/Developer of the Year' from BC Hydro

The 2009 BC Hydro Power Smart Excellence Award in the builder/developer category went to Columere Park Developments owners David and Donna Rae for their Spirits Reach development on the west side of Columbia Lake. As BC Hydro says in their announcement: “At Spirits Reach, Columere Park Developments reached for Power Smart Gold—and came up a winner.” [Read more]

UNESCO considering endangered designation for Waterton Lakes

A proposed coal mine in BC’s Flathead River Valley has created a global focus on our corner of the world. UNESCO is considering the designation of “World Heritage Site in Danger” for the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. [Read more]

Take a Hike!

The Columbia Valley is a great place to hike. The summer brings long days and the valley slowly dries up as the snow melts. At this time of year trails at lower altitudes or that are exposed are the best choices. Trails that follow the promontories out into the wet lands are often a great choice. There are lots of migratory birds in the area. Mt. Swansea should be accessible and other trails that don’t delve far into the back country are a good choice. Many of the more remote roads and trails do not have working bridges at this time of year. [Read more]

Lakeview sewer and water upgrades defeated

The possibility of a water and sewage system in the Lakeview area has been put to rest. On Saturday, May 16th a special meeting of the property owners in the proposed Lakeview Road sewer and water service area was held. The purpose of the meeting was to determine if the community still wished to pursue discussions with the RDEK and the Windermere Water and Sewer Company. The vote was 58 to 32 to not continue discussions with the RDEK but to pursue improvements to onsite septic systems. [Read more]

Fairmont area parks and trails

Should there be parks and trails in the Fairmont area and should they be supported through taxes paid by the inhabitants of the area? In 2006 the electorate said “no:” there wasn’t enough substance to the plan. Since 2006 the Fairmont Area Recreation and Trails Society has been formed and there is a detailed proposal for trail development in the area. If you vote in the Fairmont area you will have another chance to look at this opportunity and to decide whether or not you support it. [Read more]

Copper Point: golf or resort hotel?

In the Columbia Valley, just south of the Invermere junction, between Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs, there are two golf courses and a hotel development that carry the Copper Point name. Copper was mined in the valley since the turn of the century and the name draws on that heritage. [Read more]

Help Invermere 'measure up'

The 2010 Legacies Now ‘Measuring Up’ is a process to help communities assess and improve local accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities and many others. People finding these improvements helpful may include the elderly, parents pushing baby carriages, tourists carrying luggage, and people with injuries. By increasing accessible employment opportunities and improving public spaces, recreation facilities, restaurants and shops, Measuring Up is assisting communities to become more accessible and inclusive. Everyone can benefit. [Read more]

Land Conservancy members demand transparent review over Turner's removal

On Friday, March 27, 2009 the Board of Directors at the Land Conservancy (TLC) shook things up a bit more than they planned. Bill Turner, the co-founder and executive director of the non-profit land trust was ousted. The Board, stating its need for more focus and skill at the senior management level, attempted a smooth change in which Turner’s position was split in two. The operations will be run by Linda Hannah, TLC’s new COO, and the position of Director of Acquisitions was offered to, and rejected by, Turner. However, the Board did not foresee the depth of Turner’s support within the membership and the lack of support they would receive without Turner at the helm of the organization. [Read more]