One of the burning questions in Fernie was answered this week. That question was: What’s happening with BaseCamp?
The answer: They put up a fence. It might not mean anything, but it could be a sign. The actual sign has been up for more than a year, so hopefully it’s a better sign. The plan to build accommodations on the empty lot next to Canadian Tire has been a long time coming.
At the risk of jinxing my signs, it looks like construction is about to start.
Combine that with the recently-announced expansion at the Fox Fernie Hotel, which includes 50 new rooms and suites, and we will soon have plenty more rental space in the city.
It’s certainly good news for the city. However, I do appreciate that for some Fernieites, more skiers and bikers crowding our streets isn’t always a welcome thing.
All I can say is more rental accommodation is certainly better than more million-dollar vacation homes that sit empty most of the year while people working here can’t afford to buy a home.
A TALE OF TWO FIREHALLS – The ongoing saga of the Fernie and Hosmer firehall is … ongoing. And they all want to hear from you.
The City of Fernie is inviting residents to participate in a community survey regarding the urgent need for a new fire hall facility. They want to know, among other things, whether you support the new firehall projects and going to referendum to borrow $20.5 million, give or take. If you support it, they’d like to know why. If you don’t support it, they’d also like to know why.
This comes after the city awarded a contract to Chandros Construction for ‘pre-construction’ services, which include project feasibility, design, budgeting, scheduling, and risk assessment. And, this of, course is before construction and after the contract to Arcadis Architects for preliminary designs.
Then there will be the pricey contract award to Phillips Muckraking Services for services to be determined later. It’ll be costly, but worth it.
Maybe we could reduce costs if we just got around to building it.
Then there’s the Hosmer Firehall replacement project. After two years of stellar input from Phillips Muckraking Services, Area Director Thomas McDonald has decided to strike an advisory group that will act in an advisory capacity providing feedback to the area director and RDEK board on the options for the Hosmer Fire Hall, which needs repair or replacement.
It's something that should have been done long ago, but is a welcome and needed move in the debate over what should happen to the Hosmer firehall, the debate of which is inextricably tied to the community hall.
If you’re tired of complaining about the firehall of your choice, the chance to provide your input is either here, or coming soon. Don’t let the opportunity slip you by.
Bill Phillips is an award-winning columnist with 35 years of experience in community journalism.
