Reply To: info fernie

[seasonsgreetings]

Hi Deano

I think you would find Fernie a very different place to what you left, however it is still (or is now, don’t know what it was like then) a wonderful place to be. I didn’t see it in the seventies so I can only tell you what it is like now.

The community has become a bit of a melting pot of old-timers, and young incomers, with a fairly even split between those involved in the mine, and those involved in tourism. The Sparwood mines are booming and last year we had an accommodation train parked in Fernie for most of the summer to house the extra workers. I’ve heard much grumbling in the ranks about how people get treated there, but they pay well (not as well as they used to though) so I guess they will always be able to find willing workers. Tourism has gone from strength to strength, with a huge terrain expansion on the ski hill and new high speed quad lifts. Fernie Alpine Resort (no longer Snow Valley) is truly international, with huge numbers of groups and individuals coming from the UK and other parts of Europe, Australia, South America and South Africa. A Greg Norman golf course is planned, but has been on hold while much procrastination goes on. Last summer was glorious and record numbers of visitors were reported. We have become a popular summer destination, although it is still a short season, really only July – September.

The downtown received a facelift for the centenary year, and is now a beautiful tree lined avenue. While crippling rents forced a few store closures, the past few months have seen some improvements. We have a huge new Grocery store on the edge of town, and Canadian Tire are due to build soon. Hopefully no wal-mart, but who knows?

The CL Salvador school closed down, and the Fernie Academy (Independant) is now growing in numbers each year. The high school has moved out to the very end of 2nd Ave, past the Isabella Dicken School, next to the golf course. The old yellow striped high school is due to be renovated into apartments, as is the CLS school. Housing is ridiculously expensive, prohibitively so for most people on low wages. Sparwood is becoming a satellite town of Fernie, with people moving there to avoid the high costs. A good proportion of houses sold these days go to Calgarians who consider Fernie their weekend playground. Rotary park will receive a facelift next year.

The Ghostriders have done an amazing about-face. Last year, we thought we would no longer have a team as they had done so badly. They they received a place in the KJHL (Kootenay Junior Hockey League) and have so far won all but one home game this season. Last week they played to a sold-out crowd, and support for the team is again on the rise. Fernie has become a mecca for artists and artisans, we have a pottery store and an arts co-op, the old railway station was moved and renovated and is now the Arts Station. The coal train continues to call it’s haunting melody as it passes through town. I know people come back just to hear it, and it is a sound I will never forget if I do ever leave.

The mountains and River are still as beautiful as ever, and surround the town making it feel like we live in our own little world. I think Fernie is growing up, but more than anything there is a wonderful youthful feeling here. Fernie-ites love their town, and really live it. While I havn’t seen any ski-doo tracks down 2nd Ave, there’s still penty around on the quieter street. I don’t think Fernie will ever loose it’s cheeky grin. I’m sure there’s less children now than when you lived here, but there are lots of very young families now, who obviously feel there is no other place to raise your kids.

Y’all come back now!