Blackstone

What impact will it have? It will attract yet more rich yuppies that will buy up all the property and push housing prices through the stratosphere.

Blackstone... don't we all wonder. The build out will take a few years as the land holdings are significant. This will not be a golf course with a few houses. It will be a golf course with the potential for a few hundred houses.

So let's take a serious look at Blackstone... will the average citizen of Fernie have opportunity to buy there - short answer - NO. The average income of potential 'clients' is in the range of $300,000/yrs. Does anyone in Fernie make that much other than real-estate agents? Will the majority of these people live in our community on a full time basis - NO.

Will it take the pressure off the in-town market? Some say yes and others believe no. I believe it will allow the uber-rich to build what they want but the oil-money middle-class will now have an opportunity to buy up existing housing stock within the City. I believe many local residents will continue to remain priced out of the market.

The transfer station is in the process of being closed and a temporary site will be established until such time that a permanent location is chosen.

Overall - it is yet another great way to attract the uber-rich to Fernie. But realistically - does it benefit the community. Financially - yes. Tax dollars to the City, more tourists/weekenders and maybe a few will decide to retire in Fernie.

But let's be honest - Fernie wasn't built on the backs of rich tourists. We are not a community based on wealth. This development and all the development occurring in and around Fernie will inherently change the social fabric of the community.

We have a tough couple of years ahead of us as a community because we are transitioning and that is never easy.

But I throw a question back to you grinngnomad - what is our community?

Are you referring to the physical City itself? Then yes. The City size will grow and more lands will be brought in. Go to City Hall and ask to see 2005's zoning map versus 2007's. Fernie already got a whole lot bigger.

Are you referring to the people? Yep - a bunch more Alberta license plates and EU accents.

And if you are referring to the reason why we all choose to live we - the personality of the community itself - it is already impacted and will continue to change.

don,t be scared, its not like Fernie is offering mass jobs anywere else, look @ the good side and make something of it, its not like it just came up it came up 5yrs a go so your a little late, I think alot of people like sitting around and crying while every one else in the world see,s the good and come in and make something of it ,,,So get off the couch put your bong down and study the way Fernie is changing and reinvent yourself and your thoughts to fit in to this wonderful happening event

knowing that the development will go ahead at some point despite its seemingly ongoing delays for whatever reasons, i think your right Powwow in terms of trying to see the good side of it.

knowing also that it will have a magnitude of effects, i wonder how residents can help direct/contain the impact and work towards encouraging the positives and discouraging/preventing the negatives. im sure that given concrete suggestions community members would play a part in that, but im interested in knowing could be done. any thoughts??

No its not worth the time and stress of the old world, and there is realy no gain from it , you have to just lead the sheep , sooner or latter the will follow you to greener field or they will end up on the dinner table

just found out that the new designer for "blackstone" (or whatever it will be called) is - http://www.dmkgolfdesign.com

On the site in the portfolio section there is a quote that I found very interesting about the Fernie project....

""The beauty of what will be here is what won’t be here. No real estate, no golf carts, nothing but golf set against an awe-inspiring backdrop.

Is this for real? no real estate? I just don't believe it. It would be awesome, but we all know the real reason behind the golf course development is real-estate..

that would kind of suck, i was looking forward to BBQing on my patio on the back 9 sinking a beer.........lol

you guys should talk to reto barrington, I have heard his plan is minimal impact ultra high end homes in conjunction with land and lots available to the working class of fernie at reasonable prices. I think this fella may be the developer fernie is looking for! He owns more land around fernie than the city sits on now, so keep your fingers crossed.

is this from Reto B directly you heard this Steve?

no