FRIDAY JANUARY 29, 2016
RECOGNITION
ANNIVERSARY
AUXILIARY OFFICERS AWARDED
COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES MARKS 40TH
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See LOCAL NEWS page 3
THE BULLETIN PROUDLY SERVING KIMBERLEY AND AREA SINCE 1932 | Vol. 84, Issue 20 | www.dailybulletin.ca
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$ 10 INCLUDES G.S.T.
$10 million for ground search and rescue promised by province C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
Fun for everyone, Slopes for Hope returns March 5, 2016.
BULLETIN FILE
Slopes for Hope returns C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
After a one year hiatus, the Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser Slopes for Hope, is back, with an enthusiastic committee volunteers getting it all organized. Slopes for Hope has a special place in the hearts of many Kimberley residents because it was born here. It has now spread to other BC ski resorts but the initial idea and inaugural event was held here. Slopes for Hope Kimberley will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the Kimberley Alpine Resort and the Kimberley Nordic Club. “Slopes for Hope is coming back strong and we want to make it something the community can really get involved in,” said Sonya Parker, the lead coordinator for Slopes. The event was never cancelled for lack of interest. Last year, two things combined to make it difficult. Coordinator Liana Shaw moved away from Kimberley and poor snow conditions made for further difficulties. Snow certainly won’t be a prob-
lem this year and Parker says her committee is fired up and working hard. “The Kimberley event is traditionally the highest fundraiser for Slopes for Hope,” she said. The last event in 2014 raised $40,000 and in total $80,000 has been raised in Kimberley. It’s important to note, she says, that all that money stays in southeastern BC to help Canadian Cancer Society clients, who use support services. For instance, from October 2014 to October 2015, 1,991 residents of the East Kootenay stayed at the Cancer Society lodge while receiving treatment, 172 of them from Kimberley and 716 from Cranbrook. With the event coming up in just a month, it’s time to get registered. You can take part as an individual or as part of a team of up to four people. You are asked to do 16 runs of the Main, as a team or individually, or four loops of the 6K cross country track at the Nordic Club. You get a priority lift line and barbecue lunch too. “We are asking that each participant raise $100,” Parker said. “For
that you get a half price lift ticket. You don’t have to pay for a Nordic pass either. That has been generously donated by the Kimberley Nordic Club. “We have such a beautiful Nordic Club here. A six K loop is perfect and conditions have been fabulous this year. It would be great to see that element grow. “We’d like to see people issue challenges — maybe Cranbrook City Council versus Kimberley City Council, or the fire departments, banks, businesses. We’d like to bring more Cranbrook folks in.” Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, Parker urges you to come up to the Resort and take part in the day. There will be raffles and entertainment. “It’s just a good, fun day.” For full event information, watch future editions of the Bulletin and check out the website slopesforhope.ca. You can register there as well. Slopes for Hope Kimberley is sponsored by Investors Group, Kimberley Alpine Resort Summit
It was a big surprise and a gift from the government, says Wendy Heatherington, Search Manager for Kimberley Search and Rescue. She is speaking of the announcement that came out late Tuesday that the province has committed a further $10 million for ground search and rescue. The onetime funding will help bolster training, administrative support and equipment renewals. “It’s a small army of 2,500 volunteers that comb the province’s backcountry, rappel into steep ravines and weather the worst of the elements, while leaving behind the comforts of home to go seek and find those who are lost or injured,” said Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto. “Their selflessness is woven into the fabric of their service, and today’s investment continues on our commitment to strengthening them and the tapestry of public safety throughout the province.” The province already supports Search and Rescue throughout the province with $6.3 million in funding for training and operational costs, Heatherington says. They also pay liability insurance, which runs about $200,000 per year. “But this $10 million is in addition to that. That’s the most exciting part.” And the money is only for ground search and rescue. The Coast Guard and Air Services are funded federally. It is not clear yet how
COURTESY KSAR
Rescues are getting more technical and complex, as evidenced by this one last summer at Findlay Creek. Working together are Kimberley SAR, Cranbrook SAR, Columbia Valley SAR and Golden SAR. the funding will be allocated. Heatherington says Kimberley Search and Rescue will do a gap analysis to see what kinds of needs they have in regards to equipment and training. Prior to this announcement, Kimberley Search and Rescue, as well as others in the re-
gion, have relied on donations and grants. “Most Search and Rescue teams in B.C. are societies so we can access grants. And in this area, the Columbia Basin Trust has been very helpful,” Heatherington said. “And we rely on donations as well. Teams donate time to provide first
aid for events and we earn some money that way.” While the announcement was a surprise, Heatherington says that BCSARA has been working with the province to try to come up with funding models. See œ, page 5