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.