The City of Fernie is grappling with a Downtown gym project from the Fernie Academy to build a new gymnasium in the heart of downtown, a plan that has sparked both praise and opposition within the community. The initiative aims to address the loss of recreational space following the closure of the Community Centre due to health and safety concerns. While the project has garnered support for its innovative design and potential community benefits, it has also raised questions about its impact on parking and its compliance with a long-standing covenant.

Fernie Academy has proposed constructing a multi-story gymnasium at 402 and 422 3 Ave., on two City-owned parking lots near the Fernie Library. Conceptual plans show the gym elevated above a covered parkade, preserving ground-level parking while adding much-needed recreational facilities. Academy headmaster Jocelyn Sombrowski presented the idea to council on Dec. 17, emphasizing that the gym would not only serve the school but also be open to the public during designated hours, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

Sombrowski described the plan as “ingenious,” arguing that it balances the need for gym space with the covenant’s original intent to provide parking. “This proposal meets the conditions of the covenant while offering a net benefit to the city,” she said, highlighting the dual-purpose design. The building would also tie in with Fernie’s historic architecture by resembling the heritage library.

The project has drawn significant attention, with 82 attendees at the Dec. 17 council meeting and 28 joining via Zoom. Of those who spoke, 23 were in favor, citing the gym’s potential to enhance recreational opportunities and bring vibrancy to downtown. However, the plan has also faced vocal opposition.

The parking lots in question are tied to a 1993 covenant established by the late Douglas Quail to ensure free public parking in the downtown core. Quail’s daughter, Sharon Quail, has strongly opposed the proposal, viewing it as a violation of her father’s wishes and a threat to his legacy.

Douglas and Wilda Quail

Quail has argued that the covenant was created to address complaints from local business owners about a lack of parking and should remain in place until it expires in eight years. “The City has abided by the covenant for 32 years. Why take it away for the last eight?” she asked. Quail has vigorously presented her case to city council and on social media, framing the issue as one of preserving her father’s legacy.

As a landowner herself, Quail’s perspective resonates with others who value the preservation of family heritage. “I get the drive to preserve what our loved ones once loved,” one community member commented.

In a split vote, council approved the project “in principle”, with several conditions. Staff have been directed to work with Academy representatives to develop a more detailed and costed plan and to engage in discussions with the Quail family to explore potential compromises. While this approval allows the Academy to proceed with further planning, it does not mean construction will begin imminently. The project will return to council for further review once additional details have been finalized.

The debate surrounding the downtown gym proposal has been both passionate and polarizing. Supporters see the plan as a creative solution that preserves parking while addressing a critical need for recreational space. Opponents, however, argue that the covenant should be upheld in its entirety to honor the original agreement and the legacy of Douglas Quail.

As the conversation unfolds, one thing is clear: the covenant lies at the heart of the issue. For some, it represents an unshakable promise to the community; for others, it’s a challenge to be met with innovative solutions like the Academy’s dual-purpose design.

The Academy will now refine its proposal, incorporating feedback from council and the Quail family. This project highlights the complexities of balancing heritage and progress in a growing community. The decision will undoubtedly shape the future of Fernie’s downtown core and its commitment to embracing new opportunities.

Photo: Sharon Quail