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Kimberley Update

Kimberley is located in the southeast corner of B.C., about 30 minutes north of Cranbrook. Kimberley's population enjoys views overlooking the fertile and beautiful Kootenay River Valley and the Rocky Mountains to the east. Approximately 6,927 people (2004 census data) live in Kimberley, which lies within District E of the Regional District of East Kootenay. Outlying communities within this district include Meadowbrook, Wasa, St. Mary's Lake, Ta-Ta Creek, Skookumchuck and Sheep Creek and cover an area of 4,266 square kilometres. The total population of this District is 8,943.

The major employers in Kimberley are Tembec Industries (Cranbrook), Rocky Mountain School District, Kimberley Alpine Resort and the City of Kimberley. Kimberley has been developing into a tourist/resort town since the 1980's. There are several world class golf courses and the local ski hill has expanded to promote and market this area as a year round tourist destination spot. Kimberley is considered a retirement town with wonderful outdoor recreation.

Many jobs in Kimberley are seasonal, and the recent shift in the economy of the country has resulted in a marked decrease in the number of jobs available.

April 2010

The Centre 64 Expansion has been successful with many fundraisers and events, but unfortunately they have not reached their goal of being able to put an offer in on the H&R Block property by the deadline, which had already been extended once.  This means that the Centre will not be expanding as of yet.  The expansion committee is still planning more fundraisers and will consider buying another property when the money has been raised, or if this is not possible, then renovating the existing building.  The expansion, whichever way it is done, will provide work for some local contractors and trades-people.  The centre is currently not accessible as the theatre is very small and at the top of a few flights of stairs.

Another building that is being renovated is the Kimberley Library!  The face-lift will include a new heating and air conditioning system, painting, and a general electrical upgrade.  The renovations are being completed by Border Holdings.  The library will remain open for some of the times during the renovations, which begin April 28th and will go for about 16 weeks.

The Kimberley Para-Olympic Centre construction is in full swing and happening fast.  They intend to be open for this winter season.  Housing construction is slow at this time.

Falkins Insurance have moved their premises from the Platzl to the old Nappa building on Wallinger Ave.  La Lune Chocolate Shoppe has purchased the building next door and is expanding their business.  Rocky's Ride ‘n Glide have reduced their opening hours from seven days a week to 4 days a week.

Kimberley enjoyed the best snow weekend of the season after the ski hill shut down, which prompted many people to climb up and enjoy a last run.  After the surprise snowstorm in early April, we experienced fabulous warm, sunny weather for two weeks.  The temperatures have since dropped to below average for this time of year.  According to the Ministry of Environment, the dry winter mixed with a wet spring could wreak havoc with the forest fire season as grass will grow thick and tall only to die and dry out during the hot months of summer.  Fire crews are already hiring in the area and preparing for a big fire year

March 2010

The Burrito Grill is continuing to do good business in Kimberley, and is expanding their hours to be open 7 days a week rather than 6.  They also now offer soups as well as burritos and quesadillas.

Honey's Pizza in Marysville is now open in the old movie rental store location on the main street.  They are very busy with many happy customers! 

Falkin's Insurance has moved to a bigger, brighter location on Wallinger Ave.  They were located in the Platzl before the move. 

A business has opened in Wycliffe focusing on landscaping.  AMR Outdoor Services is owned by three young men, Tyler Madsen, Andrew Dodd and Rory Scand.  Dodd is a landscape architect, while the two others are licensed operators and installers.  They will take on spring cleaning, retaining wall building, irrigation, aeration, and all sorts of landscaping projects.  Good luck to this exciting new local business!

Teck Cominco may be expanding it's Line Creek Operations through the development of two new mining areas located within the East Kootenay region just North of the existing mine site.  These new developments would extend the life of the mine approximately 20 years, but would not increase production.  The invitation to comment is ongoing until April 14th 2010.

Soon you just might see some Kimberley locals on TV!  Dr. Nesbitt, a Cranbrook dentist, held auditions for people to appear in an infomercial promoting his mouthwash, called 'Nicorinse'.  It is a product designed to help remove discolouration and harmful smoke-related products from the teeth and mouths of smokers, and comes in four flavours.  The infomercial will star a husband and wife, with a child around ten years old.  The product is available at Dr. Nesbitt's office as well as the local Shopper's Drug Mart. 

The Kimberley Pipe Band will be travelling to Halifax to perform at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, and play a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II.  They were selected to perform after applying with a DVD and CD of their performances.  Only four pipe bands were invited, so this is quite an honour, as well as a chance to represent Kimberley across the country.  The pipe band has been fund-raising all winter to cover the costs for all 30 members to travel to Halifax.

The City of Kimberley is thinking of rezoning R2 zoned neighbourhoods to allow unattached suites.  This would fulfill some of the City's affordable housing goals by allowing rental properties on existing single-family homes.  The second residence would be charged 50% of the utility rates.  This will provide smaller rental spaces in Kimberley and also has potential to provide income to those who will be renting out a secondary suite.  R2 zoned neighbourhoods are the older areas of town.  The city is also rezoning part of an R1 zoned neighbourhood to allow for modular homes, another way for the city to meet its affordable housing goals.