Is Fernie's Future Really This Bleak?
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Submitted by swari on Tue, 22/03/2011 - 8:12am.
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Posts: 3
Joined: 17-01-2011 |
While the article pasted below raises some good points, I honestly was taken back a bit by the seemingly dire situation painted. My husband and I are relatively young professionals, he a software developer and I a veterinarian, that have started the ball in motion to move with our two young children to Fernie(we already spend so much time there anyways). I am wondering how others view the article and if things are in place to change it? The visible economic factors The City of Fernie website states that “Fernie is going through an economic renaissance and a period of socio-economic transition.” The article mentions that “numerous upgrades for Fernie tourist facilities are underway, with substantial investment accelerating growth in recreation and real estate sectors.” The City Council Meeting Minutes from January, 2010 to February, 2011 also purports tourism. A more accurate economic assessment of Fernie, may be determined by what is visible. Vacant businesses: At first count, there are approximately 27 vacant businesses on prime properties on First, Second, and Third Avenues and on Seventh Avenue, along Highway 3. Stores: Fernie shoppers are in Pincher Creek and Eureka buying groceries. They also buy bedding, kitchen and bath wares and furniture as well as most of their clothing in Alberta and Montana. Restaurants: Often, especially during the week, several of the restaurants have as few as two customers and no more than six seated during the peak hours of meal time. Housing: Rentals occupy numerous visitors. Many of these rentals are owned by absentee landlords. Also, virtually on every block, are empty houses owned by part-time residents and houses for sale. Education: The population of the public school system has decreased significantly resulting in the closure of two elementary schools and discontinued academic and extra curricular programs in Fernie Secondary. Because of lack of amenities and educational programs, potential residents have refused jobs in Fernie. Employment: City officials have not recruited industry and business to attract population in the resource industry or public sector jobs to Fernie. This results in loss of population, significant reduction in disposable income spent in Fernie, and lower participation of persons in community activities. Community facilities: The Community Centre is outdated. Its poor aesthetic appeal fails to attract a significant number of conventions, business, and cultural events. The Senior Centre needs a refreshed look. Streets: First Avenue leading to the Fernie Secondary School and the Learning Centre is not paved. The access to St. Margaret’s Cemetery is not paved. The poor accessibility indicates the lack of importance of these facilities to the City. Iconic buildings such as the Royal Canadian Legion, the Elks Lodge, and the Holy Family Catholic Centre are in need of upkeep. The Masonic Lodge Building has sold. These buildings and the organizations they represent have served the community greatly by providing space for public use and a wealth of services. The visible decline refutes the idea of economic renaissance. The period of socio-economic transition, beginning in the nineties, favoured an industry accounting for approximately 10 per cent of the economy. An economic renaissance can only occur by recruiting industry and business with well-paying jobs to increase a stable population. Barbara Kosiec Fernie |
Joined: 23-12-2006
That letter to the editor is pretty much true all round. However Barb is quite stuck in the past and only focussing on the negatives.
We have a vibrant beautifully renewed downtown core. (buildings used to all be dumps and the sidewalks were nearly gravel.)
We have an amazing biking community with a world class trail network and a new dirt jump park.
A new Aqautic Centre (albeit that was a long time ago!)
Lots of great new restaurants (too many maybe.. thats why they are never full)
Some pretty awesome core businesses
etc,
Instead of grasping at the past I prefer to look forward to the future and build on that! I invite everyone to join me. Now lets take the ski hill back so we can build our ski tourism industry the way it should be instead of it being driven into the ground by RCR! ha!
Snow Valley News - Fernie News, Blogs, Forums and Classifieds
Joined: 17-08-2009
Interesting, but mostly conjecture.
I would love to get ahold of real statistical information regarding Fernie.
Does anyone have valid, statistical studies on Fernie?
Joined: 10-06-2007
since the earth quake and nuke disaster that has started melting the ski hill, all paper work is on hold,
please check back in 2012
Joined: 17-06-2007
To me this letter reads like it was written by an angry old person. It's anecdotal and based on one person's opinion. I agree with Ryland... the writer is stuck in the past and focusing on negatives.
Most people I know do shop locally when possible, eat out regularly at local restaurants and are generally upbeat about the new businesses in town.
You might want to read the writings of a long time resident who has a positive outlook:
I went downtown this past Saturday and thought I was in a different place. Due to avalanche concerns it seemed that all the skiiers had opted to check out our unique shops. The weather was clear and sunny and quite warm. It was so nice to see groups of people walking on sidewalks and filling up shops. I started my shopping by checking out the Beanpod. The sofas were filled with people, “coffee addict or chocoholic?” was the question. I purchased the “Fernie bar and grab bag” and walked the few steps to the Ghostrider store to buy a new pair of sandals and share my chocolate with my friend Judith. I figure if I have a beautiful pair of red sandals ready to be worn the weather will co-operate and we’ll have spring next week when it’s officially here. Crossing the street I entered the Grande Fromage shop filled to capacity with dozens of people milling about sampling specialty cheeses with artisans from Creston giving out information on how their cheese is made. I then walked down the street enjoying the sunshine, totally like a tourist in my own town and it felt really good, to end the shopping I went down to the Loaf Bakery to purchase three different kinds of breads to go with the three different types of delicious cheeses I had bought and while waiting for the bread to be sliced I shared the Beanpod chocolate with the two workers who agreed it was pretty yummy.
http://fernie.com/blog/marygiuliano/2011/03/17/ash-wednesday/
Joined: 21-03-2011
*Trailhead* sounds like an ageist young person.
With regard to the letter by Barbara Kosiec, I would have to agree with a number of points she’s made, and many of them don’t require more than a walk or drive by to confirm.
In 2005-06 there were 25 empty store fronts on Second Ave alone, so it seems to me that 27 empty commercial properties including First, Second, Third, and Seventh Avenues and Highway 3 doesn’t seem nearly as dire.
I agree wholeheartedly about the community centre. You don’t need to see any numbers to note the dilapidated condition of the public facility, it’s become an embarrassing eyesore.
Again you don’t need numbers to drive by the Legion and note its dilapidated condition although I’m not clear how that’s the City’s responsibility as the Legion owns it.
Out of town and cross-border shopping is an issue in Fernie as we are so close to Alberta (no tax) and Montana. It’s common knowledge that on American “Black Monday” following their Thanksgiving it’s local tradition to go to Montana to do their Christmas shopping.
And it’s true there are a large number of second homes in Fernie, many of which sit empty for a goodly portion of the year, contributing to “dark neighbourhoods”. I can see 3 “empty” houses from where I’m sitting. It’s also true that there is a lack of well-paying jobs in Fernie, and the permanent population is decreasing, and two public schools have closed. (Check Stats Canada for population numbers, don’t take my word for it).
As for Mary’s article, she happened to be downtown on an exceptionally busy day, the ski hill was closed. Perhaps the ski hill should consider closing more often, if it brings that many people downtown. It is often deserted downtown by late afternoon on most days. That’s not being negative, that’s an observation.
People have their own reasons for being here whether it’s for the skiing, the mountain biking, or just to be surrounded by some of the most glorious scenery on earth, (and as long as you don’t mind long winters), Fernie can be a fantastic place to live. Like anything else I guess, you get out of it what you put into it.
For those looking for actual data on Fernie you may find the following links helpful:
The City of Fernie website:
Community profile (although the numbers are a bit outdated): http://www.fernie.ca/siteengine/ActivePage.asp?PageID=266
The Quality of Life Index and Liveability Project Report:
http://www.fernie.ca/siteengine/ActivePage.asp?PageID=357
A couple more from FABDA’s website:
2010 Fernie Chamber of Commerce Economic outlook and update: http://www.fabda.ca/documents/EconomicUpdateandOutlook2010.pdf
2009 Fernie Housing Trends:
http://www.fabda.ca/downloads/news/Fernie_Housing_Trends_Jan_2009.pdf
Joined: 23-11-2007
the future of fernie is not dire. and the path to take is not unknown. perhaps unrecognized, but there is not need to try to re-invent the wheel.
as is see it, the largest single factor in going forward is the inability (this due to local attitudes and resentments) to engage the second home owners in the community. the formation of major events in the us mountain towns were often driven by the second home owners. in fernie a recent survey showed that the average second home owner spends 66 days a year here. that is huge.
yet the general population tries to distance the second home owners and not involve the in the community.
if you want to look at an interesting profile of the changes in mountain communities and how they coped with changing times, read the following from a Mountain Town Planners Conference three years ago.
http://charture.org/presentations_details.php?year_sort=2007
click on the Breckenridge presentation.
Joined: 21-03-2011
*zippy* clearly you’ve given this some thought. You’ve presented an interesting point and food for thought, but I’m wondering if you also have any insight as to how we might begin to “engage second homeowners in the community”.
If indeed you believe that this is "largest single factor in going forward", what do you propose we “do” about it. Please share a few practical ideas and applications that we as a community can put into action. Where do you suggest we begin?
Joined: 17-01-2011
The decision to relocate our family to Fernie started as Zippy mentioned, "engaging the second homeowner in the community".
When we first started going to my husband's family cabin five years ago, we rarely left the ski hill. Even though his parents are full time residents during the ski season, they did not go "into town" much either. The draw to the hill overpowered the beauty of the town.
Out of boredom one day, I went to Jamocha's (sp?) where the owner engaged me in a conversation about the wonderful running trails around town (my in-laws had no idea the trail system even existed). Being a runner, I was hooked and started spending more time in town where, on more then one occasion, a friendly conversation with a local led to further exploration.
Simple as that on an individual basis, but hard to duplicate on a grand scale I suppose.
Events, like a dinner hosted by one of the cafes (forget the name) featuring cuisine from around the world, got the entire family out of the cabin. The tickets were for the food, but after mingling with local and tourist alike, we left feeling more like part of the Fernie community.
Other events could perhaps benefit from more structure/organization. I recently stumbled upon the Fernie Runaround Half Marathon. What a great event that naturally show cases the beauty of the town, which often lead to annual participation. In my 10 years of running in organized events, not one person in my core running group of 20 has run in it or let alone heard of it. Not necessarily targeting the second homeowner per se, but what a great event to get people to come to Fernie if it is advertised more aggressively.
Events and local hospitality won us over. It seems to me that leadership might be what is missing? That and the elephant in the room...RCR. Yes Fernie is magical without it, but seriously, how much easier would this be if THEY had interest in the community. I realize that it operates as a business, but so do many other companies, who choose to invest in their community through sport sponsorship, parks, events, school programs, paying their employees a decent wage, etc.