Ski Hill Conference Centre is a Go!
KIMBERLEY BC – The City of Kimberley just took a giant step forward in becoming southern British Columbia’s four season tourism destination. Construction will begin this Spring on a new Conference Centre, located at the base of the Ski hill.
At a special press conference held on the Kimberley Alpine Resort the Mayor Jim Ogilvie was joined by Kootenay Columbia MP Jim Abbott, on behalf of Minister of Western Diversification Rona Ambrose, and Southeast Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett on behalf of Minister of Community Services Ida Chong to make the announcement.
“I’m pleased to announce the Government of Canada and the province of British Columbia are jointly investing $2 Million dollars towards the construction of the Kimberley Conference Centre.” Jim Abbott announced.
The 12,000 sq foot Conference / Paralympic Centre will be built in the heart of the Kimberley Ski Resort’s Village, just a quick stroll from the Marriott, Timberstone Spa Resort, Sullivan Stone Lodge, and the Polaris Lodge.
“The front entrance will face the village square that is slowly developing at the Resort. A very important element is how the building fits in with the existing architecture at the Resort. It is a very visible site, and the building will have to fit with the existing architecture and surroundings.” said Jim Ogilvie
“Our goal is to be open by next winter,“ said Mayor Jim Ogilvie. “We need to have a training facility ready for international teams prior to the Olympics. We also want to bring them back for the Olympic year to train before the Games. There’s a better chance of that if they have a year to test the facility.“
“There is nowhere else in Canada has a dedicated ski run with all the nets and timing equipment available,“ Kimberley’s Mayor continued, “A lot of places don’t have that equipment available at all. We have it all stored right on the mountain.“
“The Government of Canada is proud to support this project, which increases conference centre capacity and supports business and tourism opportunities in the community of Kimberley,“ said Jim Abbott.
MLA Bill Bennett said that the real credit for the announcement goes to Ogilvie, Kimberley City Council and the citizens of Kimberley.
“I’ve witnessed all the city has done in the past 15 or 20 years to get ready for the closure of the mine,“ Bennett said. “They’ve continued to have a vision for what this community can be. They have created golf courses and saved the ski resort. They are developing Paralympic training and performance facilities. And now, as a result of the generosity of the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies and this program, they are creating this wonderful new conference centre in the resort village. This will make a real difference to people’s lives in Kimberley and the area.“
This facility could very well push Kimberley past the tipping point in achieving the goal of becoming a year round tourism destination.
Rocky Now
April 10, 2008 by admin
Filed under Accommodations
At Rocky Mountain Accommodations, Kimberley Property Management is our business. We have gained an extensive background in all aspects of this business over the last 18 years.
Delta Deal Good to Go!
The demand for the budding Kootenay Tourism Product is about grow – exponentially. Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) is about to take a monumental step into the international market place. The groundwork has been put in place for Delta Airlines to provide non-stop flights from Salt Lake City to the Canadian Rockies International Airport.
The first Delta flight is pencilled in from Salt Lake City to Cranbrook on December 17th of this year.
“This is a growing area, access has been a challenge to the region and this is ripe for people to come to this community from the States, and this is the easiest and the fastest way to get there.” said Kent Myers of Airplanners.
The potential economic impact of the inbound Delta flights to the area is enormous, allowing US visitors to enjoy the incredible Kootenay lifestyle, with just a 2 hour flight.
However the real gem of the deal might prove to be the outbound flight for locals, and recreational real estate owners.
International Carriers know that this is a new and unproven market, as such a guarantee will be required. In a brilliant display of cooperation and teamwork, municipalities and private enterprise have teamed together to ensure that this deal is reached.
There has been strong participation from a wide cross section of Kimberley and Cranbrook businesses. The support continues both up and down the valley, with Intrawest at Panorama, Copper Point, at Fairmont, and from virtually every business in Fernie.
This is a milestone that the that the airport marketing committee has been working toward for many years.
The impact that this will have on the local economy is going to be huge. There is strong demand for the Ski and Golf product, and with other destinations such as Whistler falling out of favor for being oversold, smart investors are getting in while prices are still attainable.
Salt Lake City is a smart tactical move as it is considered an omni hub and is Delta’s fastest growing domestic hub in terms of destinations served. Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer Salt Lake City customers 335 peak-day departures to 108 nonstop destinations.
“Service is set to start in December with a 50 passenger jet. Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday – they leave Salt Lake City at 11:10 and will land here at 1:08. They’ll return and be back in Salt Lake City at 3:33. That will be a connecting flight that will go out toward the United States across the Delta hub.” Myers said.
According to Myers, the excitement does not stop with the exposure to the to the international market:
“We have talked to West Jet. We will talk to Air Canada. We want to grow the domestic market as well.“
