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.

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.

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.

The Summit Youth Centre Hub (formerly Windermere Valley Youth Centre Society) has a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) system with the equipment and ability to experience a variety of entertaining and educational scenarios. From flying across the Star Wars galaxies to exploring the inner workings of the human body, the VR equipment is state of the art technology that is paving the way for the next generations.

The Columbia Valley Community Foundation has supported the Summit Youth Centre Hub for many years, including the purchase of the virtual reality system.  In 2017, a grant from the Doerr Family Fund and the Community Fund supported the renovation of their new space across the street from the Columbia Valley Centre.

The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club is a non-profit organization and the community voice for Nordic skiing in the Columbia Valley. Their goal is to attract new skiers and families to Nordic skiing while promoting healthy living and an active lifestyle.

In 2017, the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club was successful in obtaining a grant for their Youth Skill Development Program. This grant allowed the club to purchase additional youth ski equipment.

As a result of the support provided by the Community Foundation and others, the club evolved into one that truly caters to all ages levels from the early years (3+) to teenagers with larger aspirations. The youth racing team travelled around the Kootenay Region, and beyond within BC, making our community proud. Not only did they show how a small club in SE BC can perform with the best of the province, they also won numerous sportsmanship awards.

This grant came from the Opportunities for Youth Fund.

The Steamboat Mountain Music Society organizes the annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival in Edgewater, BC. This local music festival encourages the appreciation and development of the musical arts in the Columbia Valley by providing performance and educational opportunities to local and regional musicians.

The festival has become a three day event. In addition to the main music festival, there is now Friday evening porch parties, encouraging the community to get involved, play and sing. On Sunday, there are free workshops for the public. This year, the workshops included a history of the blues, a song writing session and a guitar chord lesson. The festival has become a three day event. In addition to the main music festival, there is now Friday evening porch parties, encouraging the community to get involved, play and sing. On Sunday, there are free workshops for the public. This year, the workshops included a history of the blues, a song writing session and a guitar chord lesson.

In 2017, the Steamboat Mountain Music Society was successful in obtaining a community grant to support the festival. This grant came from the Community Fund – – an open fund used to support a variety of community projects in the Columbia Valley.

The Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley exists to promote health by relieving conditions associated with end of life in our Columbia Valley communities. They provide in-home and/or hospital visitation to those diagnosed with a terminal illness.  The Hospice Society also helps with bereavement and the grief process through programs to support those struggling with intense emotions associated with grief and loss.

The Columbia Valley Community Foundation has supported the Hospice Society lending library. The library lends books and gives away brochures almost daily. The community foundation grants have also provided funds to create school resource kits designed for elementary and high school teachers and students to help deal with loss and grief.

Their 2017 grant was made possible from a Kootenay Savings Flow-Through grant.