t Lindsay McPherson

reporter2@invermerevalleyecho.com

50 years ago: The owner/operator of the Toby Theatre drowned in Cartwright Lake on Oct. 13 while fishing. Clinton Selkirk Morgan was fishing with his neighbour, Jack Collins when they spotted a large trout and Morgan stood up to spincast, overturning the boat. Collins swam ashore to get help. Although Morgan was pulled to shore and artificial respiration was performed, he died at the scene.

45 years ago: A dedication ceremony was held at the new Christian Education Youth Centre at the Trinity United Church. Taking part in the presentation of the keys were the architect, Harry Williams of Calgary, the contractor, Chris Madson of Radium, Tom Andruschuk, C.E. Osterloh, and Murray Fisher.

40 years ago: Work was well underway on the valley’s newest ski hill in Fairmont Hot Springs. The main run was completed and the project was expected to be done by the end of the year. Bruno Engler, a photographer/skier from Banff had designed the runs.

35 years ago: The National Park Hotel in Radium Hot Springs had undergone extensive renovations. It was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Mountain and Eddie’s father, James Mountain. They had bought it from George Stanley in 1971.

30 years ago: Invermere Bay Developments Ltd. unveiled the first 10 units of what was to be a 30-unit condo development, southeast of the railway bridge leading to Fort Point. Heading the development were Murray Dodd and Wayne Stephenson on property formerly owned my W.R. Lake.

25 years ago: Extension of Radium Hot Springs’ fire protection boundary was discussed at an Oct. 11 meeting that included residents, Regional District director Margrit Thierbach, RDEK administrator Wayne McNamar and an engineer. Taking in the Radium Golf Course and Dry Gulch would mean the volunteer fire department would need more recruits.

20 years ago: Canal Flats residents were discussing the possibility of incorporation and were seeing if there would be tax benefits. The Canal Flats Improvement District asked the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to assist them in a study on incorporation. A committee was to be formed to assist in the study.

15 years ago: A sod turning ceremony took place on the site where the Invermere and District Hospital’s multi-level care facility was planned. Mollie Laird and Stan Caspell performed that task and Stan Rokosh was master of ceremonies.

10 years ago: The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce learned that it would not be receiving provincial or federal funding from an infrastructure program to go toward the building of the new Visitor Information Centre and Lake Windermere Lions Club facility. “It will basically slow down the completion of the building but we are going to continue on in certain areas of the building where we have donated materials,” said CVCC president Al Miller.

5 years ago: Canal Flats residents were getting ready to head to the polls regarding incorporation of the village. A series of public meetings was being hosted to address all questions and concerns of the residents. Thomas Reid, president of Sussex Consultants Ltd., who conducted the incorporation study, said that incorporation would give Canal Flats residents greater independence, better service coordination, more public involvement in decision making an access to potential infrastructure grants.