Was just sent a link to the new Sparwood Chamber of commerce video show casing their community,
http://sparwoodchamber.bc.ca/wordpress/watch-our-video/
This made me think back to the video that Rocky Mountain properties made about the Crowsnest Pass a few years ago also very well done. http://rockymountainproperties.ca/RMP_CrowsnestVideo.htm
They are both less than five minutes long well worth the time, please check them out.
Thanks to the comment I received, I checked out UROC at the following address http://www.uroc.ca/ well worth the time.
Showing posts with label Sparwood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sparwood. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Sparwood showing how a community grows.
The story below appears at the following address in the East Kootenay News On line Weekly, very interesting publication that is well worth checking out. e-know.ca
The Link to the story below is available at http://www.e-know.ca/news/investment-announcement-biggest-sparwoods-history/ Ian Cobb of /e-KNOW did a great job on this article.
Investment announcement biggest in Sparwood’s history
Posted: September 10, 2013
The District of Sparwood’s commercial tax base will soon be in line for the largest singular injection of growth in the town’s 47-year history.
A group of investors and dignitaries gathered at Sparwood’s Visitor Information Centre (VIC), before a freshly painted Titan Truck, at noon today (Sept. 10) to celebrate the announcement of $85 million in development investment and potential coming the town’s way.
“What a wonderful day for Sparwood,” District of Sparwood Mayor Lois Halko stated while welcoming about 60 special guests.
On hand for the announcement was Minister of Energy and Mines, Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett, who hailed the announcement as “the biggest thing that has happened here since the creation of the town. I think the size of the truck behind me is actually a pretty good metaphor for the size of the opportunity that has come along as a result of the work of the mayor and council and business community.”
The crux of what is going to occur in the development project, which will encompass the strip of land between the VIC and the junction of Highway 3/43, including aspects on the east side of the junction and across the highway in the old pit area.
Development participants include Schickedanz West, which is building an 82-room hotel at the junction, including a 3,500-4,500 square foot restaurant and lounge and they are in negotiations to bring in a fast food outlet. The project will also present retail and similar opportunities.
Teck has purchased eight acres that it intends to add to the potential of the project, while Joy Global is constructing an office and operations building on the south side of the highway, which will be accessed by an underpass. Additionally, BC Hydro is providing the district with a beautification grant to bury power lines in the area and Greenwood Mall ownership is spending about $500,000 in upgrades to the inside and outside of the mall – all part of Sparwood’s ongoing efforts to beautify the downtown area, Halko said, adding the plans are “another great step forward for our community. This will take us further in our journey to develop our community by adding more valuable assets that will create jobs, services and further economic opportunity.
“We have arrived at this point thanks to a huge amount of hard work from councilors, district staff and commercial partners.
“Our staff has worked tirelessly to accomplish this goal. Under the dynamic leadership of CAO (chief administrative officer) Terry Melcer, District of Sparwood have worked hard towards making today’s announcement possible,” Halko said, adding she thanks the investors on behalf of the community and council.
“Today’s announcement of a multi-faceted investment program is the largest and most significant business development initiative since our municipality was incorporated in 1966,” he said.
Noting that Highway 3 is the second busiest in B.C., Bennett said Sparwood will find more of that traffic stopping in town thanks to the proposed project, expected to take three to five years to complete.
“That represents a huge commercial opportunity for the small businesses here, and the big businesses and it also represents an opportunity for the community to grow their tax base and improve the already high standard of lifestyle and living that you have here.”
Kootenay-Columbia MP and former Sparwood Mayor David Wilks said the investment launch will help propel the town forward toward a bright future.
“It’s the old adage – if you build it they will come and that is what is going to happen here. We’re looking forward to a very bright future and I believe that if you look at what will happen in the next 10 or 15 years with Sparwood, you’ll find some amazing things are going to happen. I truly believe this is what the community was meant for and I think in the years to come you’ll find that it is a phenomenal place to live. It is a great day for Sparwood.”
Joy Global representative Steven Droste stated, “We are really excited to be a part of this community’s future. The future that we are investing in is better facilities for our employees, to enable us to provide better service to our customers and to really improve the mining industry in this particular area.”
Droste noted to the audience that Sparwood “is really quite influential” in the coal mining industry, explaining he’s met people around the world who have lived and worked in the town.
“There is always someone who has worked here and it had a real impact on their lives and career,” he said.
Schickedanze West representative Roland Kraemer said his company, which has extensive projects in Radium Hot Springs and Fernie, is proposing a “comprehensive development.”
Phase one will be the 82-room hotel will be “a branded hotel,” he said, adding they are not yet certain what brand it will be. When the hotel was first announced for that location, is what supposed to be a Best Western but that is now no longer the case.
The facility “will include all the modern amenities which you see in a modern hotel,” including meeting spaces.
“For Sparwood this will be a very modern business centre,” Kraimer said.
While negotiations are ongoing to lure a fast food chain, he pitched to those gathered an opportunity for businesspeople to consider taking on the restaurant/lounge feature.
“We welcome your great ideas. We’ve got a great opportunity for you right there,” he said.
Phase two of the development “is fairly conceptual at this time and it is based on enquiries we’ve had to date from various people. We see great opportunities for potentially a gas station/convenience store, another fast food, various retail activities on that site,” he said, noting that property is located on the east side of Highway 43 at the junction.
He explained the site visibility and large traffic volumes on the highway “makes it a great location for any type of investment, for retail or commercial activities. We look forward to great times in Sparwood.”
Teck’s Nic Milligan said the company, which owns five coal operations in the Elk Valley, is “very supportive of Sparwood’s efforts to enhance the community, to enhance its economic development and to enhance this beautiful gateway to the province of British Columbia.”
The property Teck has purchased is potentially for an office complex but no firm plans have yet been developed.
“But let me emphasize, we are so grateful for the relationship we have with Sparwood; our shared past and our shared future,” he said.
Some of the highway frontage property included in today’s announcement. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW photos
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Best Western Hotel Development
Received emails and calls this morning about the Best Western coming to the Pass.
I hope this is true but please keep in mind that the Municipal process for hotel development on the Centre site only closed on May 18th.
So I think people are getting what's going on in Sparwood mixed up with what is hoped to happen here.
Check out the following http://sparwood.ca/government/news/announcements/best-western-hotel-development
I hope this is true but please keep in mind that the Municipal process for hotel development on the Centre site only closed on May 18th.
So I think people are getting what's going on in Sparwood mixed up with what is hoped to happen here.
Check out the following http://sparwood.ca/government/news/announcements/best-western-hotel-development
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Alberta is booming, 2011 Census results released today.
Well almost all of Alberta is booming with a population growth of 10.8% or in real number’s almost 355,000 new residents came to our province during the last five years.
The province is growing in leaps and bounds with the exception of this little corner down here in the South West the Crowsnest Pass actually was one of only four municipalities in Alberta with a population of greater than 5000 that actually shrank, yes our population dropped by 184 people (3.2%).
How will this affect the community?
Right in the pocket book most provincial or federal grants are based on population. My last year on council we were getting roughly $1400 in grants for each resident a drop of 184 based on that same amount would impact the community to the tune of $258,000 per year.
The other problem with this information is that you are stuck with these numbers for five years until the next census.
How did we compare to our neighbours?
Pincher Creek grew by 60 residents or 1.7%
Fort Macleod grew by 45 residents or 1.5%
Cowley grew by 17 residents or 7.8%
Sparwood grew by 49 residents or 1.4%
Elkford grew by 60 residents or 2.4%
Fernie grew by 231 residents or 5.5%
We must keep in mind that this census was conducted last spring so these numbers are very current and would reflect a lot of the hiring that the mines have done over the last two years.
The province is growing in leaps and bounds with the exception of this little corner down here in the South West the Crowsnest Pass actually was one of only four municipalities in Alberta with a population of greater than 5000 that actually shrank, yes our population dropped by 184 people (3.2%).
How will this affect the community?
Right in the pocket book most provincial or federal grants are based on population. My last year on council we were getting roughly $1400 in grants for each resident a drop of 184 based on that same amount would impact the community to the tune of $258,000 per year.
The other problem with this information is that you are stuck with these numbers for five years until the next census.
How did we compare to our neighbours?
Pincher Creek grew by 60 residents or 1.7%
Fort Macleod grew by 45 residents or 1.5%
Cowley grew by 17 residents or 7.8%
Sparwood grew by 49 residents or 1.4%
Elkford grew by 60 residents or 2.4%
Fernie grew by 231 residents or 5.5%
We must keep in mind that this census was conducted last spring so these numbers are very current and would reflect a lot of the hiring that the mines have done over the last two years.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Creating a picture by twisting the truth.
Today I was reading an editorial in the Elk Valley Newspaper.
The following statements were written about Sparwood and Elkford.
"Sparwood has a vibrant seniors community and retirement home, a low residential tax base, fantastic
walking trails linking the Heights to central Sparwood, new businesses breaking ground, an indoor
recreation facility with a rock climbing wall, courts for volleyball and squash, an indoor pool, youth programs
and a community centre. The community will also soon have a state-of-the-art water park.
Elkford is also on the move. Like Sparwood, Elkford has a fantastic recreation complex with an indoor
pool. There will soon be a $6 million community facility that can host events and visitors from all over
the province. According to Mayor McKerracher, plans are also in the works to build a state-of-the-art
Fire Training Centre. The biggest benefit to living in Elkford is that their tax base is also incredibly low."
I know Sparwood and Elkford well, these statements so far are very accurate.
Then the article goes on to state the following:
"All these amenities which both Sparwood and Elkford possess are the result of diligent and thoughtful Councils, both past and present"
That's all it takes is diligent and thoughtful Councils to have all of the above. Silly me I though all of these things might have had something to do with a little thing called the "Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement" that's the agreement that specifies how the taxes that are levied on the mines each year are spilt amongst the communities.
Each year Elkford receives $3 million, Sparwood $2.8 million and Fernie $2.6 million.
Keeping in mind that to have all of those amenities listed above in 2009 the Districe of Sparwood collected $10,689,638 in taxes. In the same year the Crowsnest Pass collected $6,359,661 in taxes a difference of $4,329,977 with 70% of that difference being made up by the mines and most of the other 30% coming from businesses servicing the mines.
Lets face it, some people think we have a diligent and thoughtful council presently, the realities of the Crowsnest Pass having nothing to do with "diligent and thoughtful" it's all to do with cold hard cash. The community can't even keep the Bellevue Library open, let alone build an Indoor facility to match our neighbours. Then again maybe the residents of the Pass are willing to pay an extra $4 million a year in taxes to have everything our neighbours have got, because the Elk Valley is not going to share with us.
Note: Link to Elk Valley Tax Sharing Agreement http://www.elkford.ca/modules/news/newsitem.php?ItemId=7
The following statements were written about Sparwood and Elkford.
"Sparwood has a vibrant seniors community and retirement home, a low residential tax base, fantastic
walking trails linking the Heights to central Sparwood, new businesses breaking ground, an indoor
recreation facility with a rock climbing wall, courts for volleyball and squash, an indoor pool, youth programs
and a community centre. The community will also soon have a state-of-the-art water park.
Elkford is also on the move. Like Sparwood, Elkford has a fantastic recreation complex with an indoor
pool. There will soon be a $6 million community facility that can host events and visitors from all over
the province. According to Mayor McKerracher, plans are also in the works to build a state-of-the-art
Fire Training Centre. The biggest benefit to living in Elkford is that their tax base is also incredibly low."
I know Sparwood and Elkford well, these statements so far are very accurate.
Then the article goes on to state the following:
"All these amenities which both Sparwood and Elkford possess are the result of diligent and thoughtful Councils, both past and present"
That's all it takes is diligent and thoughtful Councils to have all of the above. Silly me I though all of these things might have had something to do with a little thing called the "Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement" that's the agreement that specifies how the taxes that are levied on the mines each year are spilt amongst the communities.
Each year Elkford receives $3 million, Sparwood $2.8 million and Fernie $2.6 million.
Keeping in mind that to have all of those amenities listed above in 2009 the Districe of Sparwood collected $10,689,638 in taxes. In the same year the Crowsnest Pass collected $6,359,661 in taxes a difference of $4,329,977 with 70% of that difference being made up by the mines and most of the other 30% coming from businesses servicing the mines.
Lets face it, some people think we have a diligent and thoughtful council presently, the realities of the Crowsnest Pass having nothing to do with "diligent and thoughtful" it's all to do with cold hard cash. The community can't even keep the Bellevue Library open, let alone build an Indoor facility to match our neighbours. Then again maybe the residents of the Pass are willing to pay an extra $4 million a year in taxes to have everything our neighbours have got, because the Elk Valley is not going to share with us.
Note: Link to Elk Valley Tax Sharing Agreement http://www.elkford.ca/modules/news/newsitem.php?ItemId=7
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Interesting Population Stats on the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding area
The following stats reflect the population decline in the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding area from 1981 to present.
----------------1981---1986---1991---1996---2001---2006---2006 vs 81
Crowsnest Pass--7340---7577---6680---6356---6262---5749-----78%
Elkford BC-------3126---3187---2846---2729---2589---2463-----79%
Sparwood BC----4157---4540---4211---3982---3812---3618-----87%
Fernie BC-------5444---5188---5012---4877---4611---4217------77%
Pincher Creek---3825---3800--3660---3659---3666---3625-----95%
Total----------23892--24292--22409--21603--20940--19672----82%
Why the analysis? well first of all I know we have a problem with population decline in the Crowsnest Pass, and we all know that there are obvious reasons for that.
I also have a theory that the population decline is directed related to the work practices of our largest employer (BC coal mines). I have long taken the position that the implementation of the four on four off schedule at the mines had a huge impact on our community. These numbers I believe support that, if you look above the four on four off schedule was implemented in 1983-84 the numbers peak in 1986. The work schedule was relatively new at that point and only a few people were living outside the area, as time marched on more and more mine employees realized the mobility that schedule provides them.
Prior to that time nobody had more than two days a week off, much more difficult to live outside the area.
If you examine the numbers CNP, Elkford and Fernie suffered relatively the same decline in population, 21 to 23%. Where Sparwood dropped 13% still significant but not as bad as the others, I would argue that Sparwood did not suffer to the same degree due to it being blessed with logistics, being right in the middle of all the mines.
Then to further prove my theory I provided the numbers for the Town of Pincher Creek close to our area but not very dependent on the mines for employment, its population only dropped 5% over that same time frame, which I'm sure you would find is consistent with rural Alberta outside of the energy sector.
You may ask why is this information relevant?
Well barring the mines going back to eight shifts, (which will never happen the employees like the four days off and it is more efficient for the employer)
Our resident population is going to keep declining in the overall area, even with the mines hiring people are finding that they can live in Lethbridge and work here.
The competition between local communties to attract people moving here is going to become more and more fierce. People that do choice to live here are going to look at the individual communities, and determine which best suits their needs we will never be able to compete with the towns in the Elk Valley as far as proximity but we have to compete with them in other ways. Appearance is a prime example.
----------------1981---1986---1991---1996---2001---2006---2006 vs 81
Crowsnest Pass--7340---7577---6680---6356---6262---5749-----78%
Elkford BC-------3126---3187---2846---2729---2589---2463-----79%
Sparwood BC----4157---4540---4211---3982---3812---3618-----87%
Fernie BC-------5444---5188---5012---4877---4611---4217------77%
Pincher Creek---3825---3800--3660---3659---3666---3625-----95%
Total----------23892--24292--22409--21603--20940--19672----82%
Why the analysis? well first of all I know we have a problem with population decline in the Crowsnest Pass, and we all know that there are obvious reasons for that.
I also have a theory that the population decline is directed related to the work practices of our largest employer (BC coal mines). I have long taken the position that the implementation of the four on four off schedule at the mines had a huge impact on our community. These numbers I believe support that, if you look above the four on four off schedule was implemented in 1983-84 the numbers peak in 1986. The work schedule was relatively new at that point and only a few people were living outside the area, as time marched on more and more mine employees realized the mobility that schedule provides them.
Prior to that time nobody had more than two days a week off, much more difficult to live outside the area.
If you examine the numbers CNP, Elkford and Fernie suffered relatively the same decline in population, 21 to 23%. Where Sparwood dropped 13% still significant but not as bad as the others, I would argue that Sparwood did not suffer to the same degree due to it being blessed with logistics, being right in the middle of all the mines.
Then to further prove my theory I provided the numbers for the Town of Pincher Creek close to our area but not very dependent on the mines for employment, its population only dropped 5% over that same time frame, which I'm sure you would find is consistent with rural Alberta outside of the energy sector.
You may ask why is this information relevant?
Well barring the mines going back to eight shifts, (which will never happen the employees like the four days off and it is more efficient for the employer)
Our resident population is going to keep declining in the overall area, even with the mines hiring people are finding that they can live in Lethbridge and work here.
The competition between local communties to attract people moving here is going to become more and more fierce. People that do choice to live here are going to look at the individual communities, and determine which best suits their needs we will never be able to compete with the towns in the Elk Valley as far as proximity but we have to compete with them in other ways. Appearance is a prime example.
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