The Fernie Official Community Plan is taking shape around a clear community direction: manage growth carefully, invest in infrastructure, expand housing choices, protect Fernie’s character and natural environment, and build a more resilient community for the future.
The City of Fernie has released its Round 2 What We Heard Report, summarizing one of the most extensive community engagement efforts undertaken as part of the OCP update. The process included workshops with Council, City staff, the OCP Task Force, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation and community partners, along with public engagement and dedicated youth participation.
Round 2 included 170 community members at the Fernie Future Fest open house, 199 Fernie Future Workbook responses, 14 one-on-one meetings with community partners and approximately 130 youth participants. The report says the input is now being used to refine the draft OCP ahead of Round 3 engagement in early 2027.
Fernie Official Community Plan Direction Becoming Clear
While the engagement produced a wide range of ideas, the results show considerable alignment around several priorities.
Reliable infrastructure emerged as the strongest and most consistent theme. Council, City staff, the OCP Task Force, community partners and residents repeatedly emphasized that growth should be tied to servicing capacity, long-term financial sustainability and the renewal of existing infrastructure.
That direction was reflected in the workbook results. The preferred infrastructure approach was to direct 75% of investment toward existing operations and maintenance and 25% toward new growth areas, selected by 104 respondents. The report describes the overall preference as cautious and maintenance-first while still allowing targeted investment to support future growth.
There was also strong support for more housing and greater housing diversity. At the open house, 85 participants agreed that increasing housing options is more important than maintaining the status quo, compared with seven who disagreed. In the workbook, 60% favoured an infill-first approach, supporting additional housing within existing neighbourhoods rather than relying primarily on outward expansion.
The community also appears to favour growth that is intentional rather than rapid. In the workbook, 53% selected the slower, infill-focused “Steady Cross Country Skier” scenario and another 27% selected the targeted, phased “Relay Runner” approach. Combined, 80% supported these more managed growth models, while only 3% preferred the fastest-growth scenario.
Protecting what makes Fernie distinctive was another recurring theme. Residents strongly supported protecting the historic downtown, neighbourhood character, trails, open spaces and the surrounding natural environment. Recreation was particularly important, with 70% of workbook respondents favouring strong recreation investment and protection.
Economic diversification also received strong support. At the open house, 105 people supported a wider mix of local businesses and job opportunities, with only one opposed. The report identifies interest in strengthening local businesses, trades, arts and culture, industrial employment and other sectors alongside tourism.
The engagement also reinforced the importance of childcare, community facilities, active transportation, accessibility, climate resilience and stronger partnerships. Discussions with Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation emphasized an ongoing relationship centred on reconciliation, cultural recognition and land stewardship.
Perhaps most importantly, the process is beginning to establish a shared framework for making difficult choices. The report acknowledges that residents do not agree on every question — particularly the exact pace, location and form of future growth — but the broader direction is increasingly consistent: Fernie should grow thoughtfully, take care of existing infrastructure, create more housing opportunities and protect the qualities that make the community a desirable place to live.
The Round 2 feedback will now be incorporated into the draft Official Community Plan, which is expected to return to the community for Round 3 engagement in early 2027.
See the Round 2 OCP Report here.
Editor
