Invermere Valley Echo, June 10, 2015

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The Invermere

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June 10 2015

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Vo l . Used books wanted for library fundraiser

SUFFERING FROM FUNSTROKE

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BERNIE RAVEN CHRIS RAVEN 1-866-598-7415 TEAMRAVEN.CA Offices in Panorama, Invermere & Fairmont

seniors feel 3 Helping happy at home

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Dixie and Bob Coy hosted a serious dose of fun and sun at the Coys Par 3 golf course in Fairmont on Saturday, June 6th for the annual Family Fun Day golf tournament benefiting the Fairmont & District Lions Club. For more photos from the weekend, see page 16.

05 INCLUDES GST

Maxwell Realty Invermere

PHOTO BY DEAN MIDYETTE

PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NO. 7856

Proposed RV Resort sparks concern from Canal Flats residents KEVIN NIMMOCK kevin@invermerevalleyecho.com A rezoning application took centre stage at the Columbia Discovery Centre on June 1st. The Village of Canal Flats hosted a public hearing at which approximately 70 community members voiced their concerns about a plan proposed by Benny Boyz Ventures. The plan is to rezone land in Canal Flats to create a seasonal RV resort in the village. The resort would be maintained and operated by Bighorn Estates, who own Bighorn Meadows Resort in Radium. During the meeting, a petition signed by over 400 community members was presented to council to voice disdain for the project. In addition, attendees were given the chance to officially register approval or disproval for the project through short statements. “Everyone had a chance to have their

say and I felt, although it was an emo- around Canal Flats. Richard Haworth, tional issue, everyone behaved in a re- the agent for Benny Boyz, countered spectful manner,” said Canal Flats may- this point by reminding attendees the or Ute Juras. resort will target upscale clientele, who Villagers expressed concerns with will possibly become invested in Canal several parts of the proposed rezoning Flats through long-term leases. bylaw, including safety and environ“The quality of the clientele you get is mental risks. based on the cost of the lease in some Some community ways,” Mr. Haworth members feared the said. “We can’t control We are on the influx of temporary who leases, but we will verge of losing residents in the area have strong rules on our Canal Flats. would lead to more the site, which must be DENNIS HOOBANOFF dangerous roads in CANAL FLATS RESIDENT followed.” the village. There Mr. Haworth said in would be 151 lots in the resort, and lot other communities that have adopted residents would sign leases for a mini- RV resorts there have been minimal mum of 90 days. This means that, during safety problems. He cited examples in peak times, there could be approximate- Radium and Fairmont. ly 600 extra people in the village. Environmental concerns for the RV The assertion from many residents resort focused on the village’s boat is that RV resort users will be more launch and Columbia Lake. Many resilikely to drink heavily and will be less dents said the effect of 151 more boats likely to conduct themselves safely in the area could be disastrous.

Canal Flats resident Dennis Hoobanoff said he could not support the proposed plan because sufficient environmental studies had not yet been done. Typically, many of the more specific environmental studies on particular effects of new resorts are completed later on in the rezoning process. “We are on the verge of losing our Canal Flats,” Mr. Hoobanoff said. “Nature is what sets us apart.” In response, Ms. Juras reassured Mr. Hoobanoff and other community members that the village is very concerned with protecting Canal Flats’ most valuable resources. “We always have water and the boat launch in the back of our minds,” Ms. Juras said. Near the end of the meeting, two community members stated their approval of the bylaw, explaining the village needs something to jumpstart its economy. See A3

LOCARNO Live at Bud’s · Sat June 13th Doors open at 7 | Music at 8 pm

What does ART REACH Art Show · ARTIST OPENING mean to you? Friday June 12th from 5 to 9 pm

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.

Happy BirtHday to pynelogs!

1914 - 2014

Celebrating 100 years


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