Columbia Valley Housing Symposium Brings Local Knowledge Together

In December 2025, the Columbia Valley Housing Society (CVHS), in partnership with Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK), hosted a regional Housing Symposium that brought 75 leaders together to tackle one of the East Kootenays’ most pressing issues: attainable and workforce housing.

Municipal leaders, non-profit housing providers, Indigenous housing representatives, developers, trades, social service agencies, and funders gathered for a full day of practical learning and collaboration. Representatives included the Shuswap Band, Aq’am Communities, housing societies from across the Kootenays, and funding partners such as the Community Housing Transformation Centre and the Columbia Valley Community Foundation.

Six months of surveys and interviews shaped the event. Three key priorities emerged: Identifying serviceable land and infrastructure needs, leveraging developer expertise and smart design including modular and prefabricated construction, and strengthening regional collaboration.
Participants brought active development plans and proformas during afternoon case studies, turning ideas into practical next steps. Key presenters at the symposium included:

• Katey Taylor (Elk Valley Family Society, EVFS): Presented successes and future projects in Fernie and the Elk Valley, including Timbers Landing Phase 2, Old Firehall, and a new Childcare and Affordable Housing Project.
• Severn Nelson (Community Housing Transformation Center, CHTC): Provided tools and services to support the growth of community housing.
• Nicholas Lorraway (2B Developments / Rural Impact Canada, 2BD/RIC): Offered guidance on efficient planning, building, and collaborative approaches.

These experts participated in presentations, Q&A sessions, and interviews. All attendees will receive the video footage and documents from the event, which will also form the basis for a new website content for CVHS and Community Futures East Kootenays.

The symposium directly influenced several major initiatives now underway:

• A formal mentorship MOU between CVHS and Elk Valley Family Society to strengthen property management systems and long-term strategy.
• A capacity-building grant application to the Community Housing Transformation Centre.
• A 48-unit workforce rental development approved in Radium Hot Springs, with feasibility and funding applications in progress.
• Two proposed 10–12 unit workforce rental developments in Invermere, supported by $160,000 in OAP funding to advance to construction-ready status.
• Additional grant applications are being submitted in early 2026 to support construction, operations, and the creation of a regional lands database.

A Rural Model for Collaboration

For a rural region, face-to-face collaboration is critical. This symposium demonstrated that when municipalities, Indigenous leaders, developers, and non-profits align around shared priorities, real progress follows.

What began as a day of dialogue has already translated into mentorship agreements, funding applications, and shovel-ready housing projects. The Columbia Valley is not just talking about attainable housing — it is building the partnerships and systems to deliver it.

“There are just so many nonprofits making such an impact in the community. All the important things are getting looked after —and there are a lot of really educated volunteers.”

-Barb Kloos

In a place like Invermere, there are individuals whose quiet dedication shapes our community in lasting ways. Barb Kloos is one of those people.

Since first arriving in the Columbia Valley in 1980, Barb has built a life rooted in family, community, and love for the outdoors. What began as visits to a family cabin at Indian Beach, with ski trips to Panorama Mountain Resort and summers by the lake, soon became something more permanent. It was at the ski hill, while still in Grade 12, that Barb met her future husband.

Over the decades, Barb raised two children in the valley, embracing everything that makes the region special: skiing, hockey, lake days, and a strong sense of belonging. Barb’s volunteer work is deeply intertwined with her family. Like many parents, she jumped in wherever help was needed—school activities, hockey tournaments, and ski racing. Her 15 years with the Windermere Valley Ski Club became a defining chapter. Often stationed at the start gate, Barb developed a special connection with young athletes.

After the loss of her husband in 2010, Barb found a new path for her energy and commitment to the community through the Columbia Valley Community Foundation. Elected in 2011 and serving as a Director since 2012, Barb has played a key role in shaping the Foundation’s work. Her contributions have spanned multiple areas, including the Grants Committee, HR Committee, and a term as Vice Chair. As Grants Chair for several years, one of her lasting contributions has been expanding the Grants Committee to include community members, increasing transparency and the diversity of opinion on the committee. Through initiatives like Vital Signs, Barb has also stayed closely connected to the evolving needs of the valley. “Without having kids in school, it’s a great way to know what’s going on in your community.”  After 14 years of dedicated service, Barb will retire from the CVCF board in June 2026.

Beyond her formal roles, Barb’s life is rich with community involvement and personal passions. She’s a singer in Valley Voices (the local choir), and a lover of theatre and performance. As she looks ahead, Barb is ready to shift her focus to more music inspiration by joining a weekly ukulele group.

We would like to thank Barb for all her contributions to the Valley and the Columbia Valley Community Foundation through the years, and wish her the best of luck on her new endeavours!

Words and photos generously provided by House Signs for our Community organizer, Shona Robichaud.

It’s easy to take local amenities like pickleball courts for granted, but behind every one of them lies an enormous commitment from dedicated volunteers.

The new pickleball courts at Wilder Memorial Park in Fairmont Hot Springs are no exception. The land for the park was gifted to the Lions Club of Fairmont Hot Springs, which has since undertaken a series of projects to create recreation and relaxation opportunities for the community. What began with picnic tables, a swing, and a memorial garden grew to include a soccer field, a volleyball court — and most recently, pickleball courts.

Talks about adding the courts began in 2021, and by 2022, the club was ready to seek funding to bring the idea to life. It was one of the most ambitious and costly undertakings in the park’s history, requiring support from multiple sources. The Columbia Valley Community Foundation contributed $6,000 through its Community Grant program, with funds provided by Our Children’s Legacy Fund and the Fairmont Family Fund.

The financial support proved vital as contractor costs rose and project timelines stretched to allow for remediation and compacting work to ensure a solid foundation. The courts were completed and opened to the public in the summer of 2024—just in time to coincide with the launch of the park’s new Community Gardens.

Since then, the courts have quickly become a community hub for residents and visitors alike. “We get lots of different visitors and residents using the courts,” says Lions Club treasurer Norbert Schab. “Even from Kamloops!”

While the Lions Club already has ideas for future projects, there’s plenty to enjoy at Wilder Memorial Park today. The new courts stand as a testament to what’s possible when community members come together with a shared vision and dedication to improving local spaces.

“I just felt that, at my age . . . I wanted the satisfaction of knowing I did donate something— not a lot of money these days, but that I did something.”

-Jim Ashworth

Jim Ashworth passed away on September 23, 2025, at the age of 106 and left our Foundation and our community with an extraordinary legacy.

Born in Cranbrook in 1919, Jim moved to Invermere at the age of three.  As a teenager, he worked for Parks Canada and spent a summer watching for forest fires from a lookout on Mount Swansea.

Jim joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1941 where he distinguished himself as a member of the Allied forces in the Second World War. Jim served during the Burma campaign and was awarded a Burma Star for his efforts.

At the conclusion of the war, Jim continued to serve in the RCAF, working at NORAD and as the Commanding Officer at the Tofino Radar Station.

After his career in the military ended in 1966, Jim returned to the Columbia Valley with his new wife, Gaetane.  Their daughter Valerie was born the following year.  The family resided in Fairmont Hot Springs and operated the Hoodoos Resort and Cabins.  In 2005, Jim and Gaetane donated their Hoodoos property to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jim heard about two other Burma Star recipients who had found new opportunities to contribute to their communities. These two other recipients (who lived in Victoria and England) had organized fundraiser walks to fundraise money to be donated to causes they cared about.

This inspired Jim, who was looking for a new and impactful way to leave a legacy. So, at the age of 101, Jim proposed walking 101 blocks to raise money to support the Columbia Valley Food Bank.  In the end, he doubled his initial goal – walking an astounding 202 blocks! Funds raised were endowed at the Foundation in the Columbia Valley Food Bank -Jim Ashworth Fund and the fund’s income is distributed to the Food Bank annually. These distributions will continue in perpetuity.

After Gaetane passed away, Jim was moved to donate $150,000 to establish the Jim & Gaetane Ashworth Community Fund in her memory in 2022. This fund is a major source of the support available through the Foundation’s Community Grants program. In its short history, the fund has supported projects undertaken by Special Olympics Columbia Valley, Invermere Public Library, Columbia Valley Search and Rescue, Invermere Film Festival, School District, Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society and Valley Fitness Society.

Jim’s dedication to the community stands out not only for his remarkable generosity, but for the way he truly embodied his RCAF squadron’s motto — “Deeds, not words”.

He will be deeply missed.

Pulling Together For Columbia Valley Ecosystems

Invasive species management is easy to overlook as an environmental priority, but it’s critical in preserving the ecosystems and even the economic strength of our region.

In June of 2025, the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKSIC) used funding from the 2024 Community Grants stream to support a series of workshops and community events that addressed the problem in our region.

These funds were used to support programming from March through December that engaged the public and helped complete important work that benefits our local community. The Weed Pull at Rotary Park in Radium Hot Springs was one of those events, and brought out locals and visitors alike. There was an education booth and an opportunity to participate through identifying and removing the species that were targeted as priorities.

At the Columbia Valley Community Foundation, our role is to provide strategic funding that supports projects aligned with community priorities. We’re proud to fund initiatives like this one, which strengthen environmental stewardship, support climate resilience, and foster learning across our valley.

This grant was provided thanks to support from the Kootenay Savings Community Fund.

Words and photos generously provided by Sheep to Shawl organizer Heather McLeod.

“Over four Sundays in June, we hosted a series of workshops that brought our community together in a unique and creative way. We learned how to turn a sheep’s poopy fleece into beautiful wool for spinning and felting, a process that not only taught us new skills but also connected us to the land and each other. Together, we discovered new words and techniques: skirt, scour, mordant, dye, tease, card, spin, and felt. Sometimes we had an experienced volunteer to guide us, while other times, we relied on our own research and experimentation. Every workshop was filled with fun, inspiration, and a sense of accomplishment.

Our 49 attendees, ranging in age from 13 to 80-something, found joy in connecting with “like- minded fibre folk.” The workshops did more than just teach a craft; they fostered a sense of community and well-being. Neighbours who may not have known each other before came together over a shared love of fiber arts, and the bonds they created were truly woven into the fabric of our neighbourhood—much like the threads in a weaving class.

After the workshops ended, many participants continued to attend weekly drop-in meet-ups to practice their spinning, felting, and weaving skills. These ongoing gatherings have become an important space for people to collaborate, share ideas, and support each other in their creative journeys. Thanks to these workshops, we now have plenty of fleece, wool, and supplies to keep us busy through the winter—and even more fibre-loving friends to visit with!

The workshops were not just a creative outlet; they were a catalyst for deeper connections and a renewed sense of community. By coming together to learn and create, we strengthened the bonds that make our neighbourhood feel like home.”

The Sheep to Shawl project received funding through the Neighbourhood Small Grants program in 2024.

Special Olympics of British Columbia Invermere (SOBC – Invermere) is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport since 2010. They provide year-round recreation, sports, training and athletic competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities residing in the Columbia Valley. SOBC Invermere is one of 55 local community programs operating as part of Special Olympics British Columbia. According to Blair McFarlane, local Program Coordinator, their program is about more than just sports. “We foster healthy activity and habits, build sportsmanship and friendships, and have fun!

Utilizing a 2023 grant for 2024 programs, SOBC Invermere marked many exciting milestones and changes within the organization, both in terms of programming and volunteer participation. In particular, the soccer program was the first youth-oriented activity offered in recent years, and was made possible by new involvement from dedicated parents and volunteers. FUNdamentals, a mobility and games-based program, was added to the youth activity roster as well.

Adult programming also continued to expand thanks to broad partnerships with community partners and volunteers as well. Swimming at Fairmont Hot Springs pool was reintroduced after a several – year hiatus to the delight of participants. The impressive array of indoor and outdoor activities offered includes everything from alpine skiing at Panorama Mountain Resort and golf at Copper Point Golf to ClubFit mobility and exercise classes at Valley Fitness Centre and bowling at Valley Alley Bowling. One athlete was even able to attend a golf competition in Cranbrook thanks to program support.

The year also saw changes in the volunteer board service, with the departure of three long-time board members, Mike Fairhart, Gee and Willem De Ruyter, who each served for more than decade. With the support of dedicated volunteers like these and funders like the Columbia Valley Community Foundation, Special Olympics BC – Invermere remains committed to providing inclusive sport opportunities, fostering active lifestyles, and building community through sport.

This grant was provided by the Jim & Gaetane Ashworth Community Fund and the Wittke Family Fund.