More Calgarians are starting to discover the riches that Fernie, B.C., has to offer — from its renowned powder skiing to its summer offerings of mountain biking, hiking and water sports.
The discovery is leading to a resurgence in development projects, from new recreation properties to the restoration of historical buildings.
“I’ve always felt that Fernie was exceptional and I’m glad to see a lot of people are thinking that, too,” says Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano.
“Fernie has really become a mecca for people who like the outdoors — for people who love a high quality of life. Even if you’re not a sports person, coming here to Fernie is a really peaceful, wonderful experience.”
Giuliano has lived in the mountain city for more than five decades and is noticing more Calgarians are attracted to its charms. “There are three homes on my street with Calgary people and they come every other weekend,” he says.
“During the summer, they’ll come for a week or three weeks, and come in the winter to ski. They know that when they are here, they are experiencing a way different way of life than in Calgary.
“In Calgary, life is really fast paced. In Fernie, it’s much slower paced and you can really relax. People need that.”
A variety of new developments are either in the planning process or are now on the market, she says. “We’ve been discovered and so development is happening.”
From extra lots coming on at Fernie Alpine Resort — the main tourist attraction in town with skiing in winter and other mountain offerings in summer — to plans for a miners’ village of cosy cottage getaways, development is also coming in the shape of revitalization and reinvestment.
Some historic buildings are seeing new life. The Fernie Museum recently reopened in the renovated bank building after undergoing a $1-million facelift.
“Our Masonic Hall is being turned into a fourplex,” says Giuliano.
“That’s a beautiful heritage building downtown. This Masonic hall was once the Methodist church. It’s built of beautiful yellow brick, which was produced in Fernie at the time,” explains Giuliano. “We’re really happy to see they kept the facade the way it was.”
Other downtown heritage building redevelopments include the $3-million improvement of the Hamilton Building, which hosts a tea and coffee house. The Loaf Building, which holds a bakery and restaurant, is being expanded by an addition.
“We encourage a mix,” says Giuliano. “We really like the idea of having our heritage buildings being brought up to the standard that they used to be — and even improved.”
Improvements in the city itself include an $800,000 upgrade of the soccer field, along with drilling for a new water source to supplement spring water from Fairy Creek.
“We have just spent a lot of money to build a new boat launch in Dogwood Park that goes onto the Elk River. It’s so much better than the small one we had before,” says Giuliano.
There are also expansion plans.
“We’re working with the regional district and the provincial government to include West Fernie into Fernie, and that could happen next year,” says Giuliani. “We’re also working to increase our boundary to the north to include some commercial properties because we need some land for an industrial park.”
The latest improvement was evidenced on the streets of town this summer — a people-friendly change that nevertheless had faced an uphill battle in its bid for approval by city council.
“This year, we had outdoor patios. Loss of parking was the only complaint I had,” says Giuliano. “I told them, ‘When you see how the patios look — when they get the flowers, the furniture and the umbrellas — and they’re full of people, you’re going to appreciate how vibrant Fernie looks.’ That’s exactly what happened.”
MINING MEETS TOURISM
Founded in 1898 and incorporated in 1904, the city of Fernie, B.C., currently has almost 5,000 residents.
Mining remains the backbone of Fernie’s economy — with five coal mines in the area — along with a sawmill.
The other mainstay is tourism, which is anchored by Fernie Alpine Resort.
It offers skiing in the winter, along with mountain biking and an aerial park offering everything from tree birds to ziplining in the warmer months.
DID YOU KNOW?
Just as the renovated Fernie Museum was launching, organizers received a surprise.
“Fernie was named after William Fernie, the founder of Crowsnest Pass Coal Co.,” says Mayor Mary Giuliano.
“We knew absolutely nothing about the personal life of this man. All we knew was that he lived in Fernie, he founded the company and then he moved to Victoria — and that’s where he died.
“Lo and behold, his descendants from Switzerland and England came to see us a month ago and they brought original letters that William Fernie had written to their grandmother.”
The letters provide insight into who the man was and the life he led.
For instance, “he was a single man, but he really wanted to be married,” says Giuliano.
“He just didn’t think he could entice a woman from England — someone who was educated and used to the good amenities — into this area that was so rough and tough. The letters are amazing.”
Source: By Claire Young, Calgary Herald
