Bearspaw Contracting Community First Society (BCCFS) is looking to help fund a large capitol project that is beneficial to the entire Elk Valley. On behalf of the BCCFS, Len Gostick wrote to Fernie Council in February in hopes to solicit large capital project ideas in the range of $100,000.
The BCCFS raised $100,000 in 2013 with a celebrity golf tournament and donated the funds to construct the new Elkford helipad for medical emergencies.
At the regular council meeting on March 10, Fernie Council voiced a variety of projects. Councillor Joni Krats suggested repairs and upgrades to the recreation facilities at James White Park and the ball diamonds; things that were damaged during the flooding last year. Mayor Mary Guiliano was thinking the same thing about the ball diamonds.
Councillor Joe Warshawsky suggested the restoration project of the Fernie Heritage Library.
Councillor McSkimming brought up the Tom Uphill home and the Trinity Lodge, mentioning the need for appliances and general upgrades.
Councillor Phil Iddon suggested the Trinity Lodge seniors' home may need a sprinkler system for safety purposes; it is a very high dollar and high value project. Iddon also mentioned there is very limited access to handicap facilities at the Fernie arena suggesting the possibility of a wheelchair lift and creating a mezzanine area to give people with disabilities and seniors access to enjoy watching the figure skating, minor hockey teams and other events.
Last year Gostick and his partner at Bearspaw decided they wanted to do something for the community that made a difference. In a very short timeframe they put together a golf tournament and fundraising dinner and raised over $100,000 for the construction of a much needed new helipad in Elkford.
“Our group has discussed what and how we could improve on last year's results,” wrote Gostick. “This year we plan to put on a bigger event and raise even more funds.”
A new helipad for Sparwood, a new lift for the Elkford ski hill, much needed improvements to Sparwood's Lilac Terrace seniors home are some of the ideas that have been forwarded to BCCFS from the community.