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AIRPORT PLAN KEY TO GROWTH
STRATEGY
COTA
News Release: A marketing strategy for the planned
expansion of the Cranbrook airport is one-step
closer to taking flight. A task force of marketing
experts met on July 5th to discuss an integrated
strategy that will funnel more traffic through the
airport and out into the region's tourism
businesses. The areas tourism sector is expected to
comment on the plan this summer. High on the list
of priorities is attracting Horizon Air into
Cranbrook. Plans are to have the American carrier
fly service between Seattle and Cranbrook. The move
would provide open and direct access to huge ski
and golf markets in the Pacific Northwest.
Cranbrook is lengthening their local airport runway
and expanding their terminal facilities by 1,100
square metres. All taken, the improvements stand to
generate over 1,150 tourism jobs and put upwards of
$18.2 million dollars in the pockets of locals
throughout the region.
Cranbrook
Airport is the
gateway to the East Kootenay tourist region and is
served by both Canadian Regional Airlines and
AirBC, with daily scheduled flights to Kamloops,
Vancouver and Calgary. The airport also houses
Horizon Air, offering charter services and flight
training and Mountain High Helicopters, providing
charter services for both business and pleasure
travellers. Though less than 30 years old, the
airport is nevertheless an essential part of the
community, responsible for generating around $40
million for the regional economy annually and
sustaining several hundred jobs.
The
hub city of British Columbia's East Kootenays,
Cranbrook is located in a mountainous region where
ranges and valleys run north to south. This
geographic event affects the course of rivers and
human development. The city has been a major rail
center since the opening of the Crow's Nest pass,
and is home of the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel.
Cranbrook is the largest
community in the southeast corner of the province
and acts as a major service center for the region.
The city is close to several skiing areas. In
summer, those opportunities turn to hiking,
fishing, climbing and camping as the surrounding
mountains provide all the wilderness and scenic
beauty imaginable. Its primary industries include
forestry and mining. Those interested in historical
sights will enjoy the award-winning Canadian Museum
of Rail Travel and the turn of the century Fort
Steele Heritage Town, a "living history" town where
over 60 homes and buildings have been restored or
reconstructed to evoke the turn of the century.
Then there's Kimberley, north of Cranbrook on
Highway 95A, where you could imagine yourself in
Bavaria. Outdoor oompah bands play in "Der Platzl"-
the central square- where you can also hear the
sounds of the world's largest cuckoo
clock.
Area
Attractions:
One of the regions latest
preoccupation is in the area of golf course
development. There are now ten 18-hole and a
variety of 9-hole courses with an average distance
between them of only 35 k, so several can be played
in a few days. Destinations to note are Kimberley,
Radium and Fairmont Hot Springs, each of which has
two courses as well as awe-inspiring
scenery.
Fort
S teele
Fort
Steele: Sam Steele
of the Scarlet and Gold was a family icon. His saga
of heroism and grit prompted my father, Don Bird,
to leave his Seattle home, enlist in the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police and seek a Klondike
posting. Shortly after arriving in Dawson City, a
local beauty crossed Dad's path, and the rest is
history. While Commander Steele roved the entire
west during a long and legendary career, his name
remains at an historic site, near Cranbrook. An
1860s vintage mining town in the East Kootenays,
Fort Steele tops any movie set for authenticity.
Behind its walls is a steam railway, a working
blacksmith shop, heritage homes, hotels, a
newspaper and police barracks. Actors at The
Wildhorse Theater and Music Hall relive the glory
days when mining was a big time operation. When the
CPR went South -- so did the town's fortunes.
Kimberley:
Cuckoos, Gingerbread and
Lederhosen:
Ach der leiber! -- did you know that Kimberley is
known as Little Bavaria, and is Canada's highest
city. Small wonder -- you can get high just
breathing the air! With ski runs almost on the main
drag, we found ample apres ski time to quaff frosty
steins of German lager, gnosh on schnitzel, and
sing along to an oom-pah-pah band. On the Platzl,
accordionists stroll, midst a scene of gingerbread,
gushing fountains, sidewalk cafes and footbridges.
Happy Hans, who dwells inside the world's largest
cuckoo clock, pops out to yodel on cue. Stop and
smell the flowers at Cominco Gardens, or hop aboard
the Bavarian Mining Railway.
Air
connections
Take the Air Highway
to Cranbrook or Calgary Airport, then rent a car
for this journey to Hot Springs Heaven. You can do
it in high style, at any of the resorts I've
mentioned, or rough it with a pup tent, Coleman
stove and eiderdown. Glancing at a map, you'll spot
many glaciers, mineral spas and place names we
haven't had space to mention. All I can say is --
"don't miss this Great Canadian experience, with
its hot springs and freezing
glaciers."
...More
in our Adventure
Roads
series.
...The
Yellowhead Highway.
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Fly-Drive
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