You’re invited to a free open house and discussion about the future of the interpretive centre at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA) on Monday, September 15.

“We’ve heard a lot of great ideas from residents and looked at examples of excellent interpretive centres across North America,” says Larry Binks, Regional District of Central Kootenay Director and Chair of the Interpretive Centre Committee leading the work to find viable, sustainable options for the future of the interpretive centre.

“We’ve put together five options that could work here in the Creston Valley and we want to talk with residents about these options,” says Binks, emphasizing that the discussion is focused on the Interpretive Centre’s programs and venue only and does not address operations and management of the Wildlife Management Area.

Join the discussion on Monday, September 15 at the Creston & District Community Complex, 312 – 19th Avenue North.

Drop‐in Open House 4 to 7 p.m.; Presentation / Discussion 7 to 9 p.m.

The potential options being considered for the interpretive centre range from rebuilding to re‐imagining it entirely. The committee hopes residents will share their ideas on September 15.

The open house is part of a six month long community engagement process that included personal interviews with key individuals, focus groups and phone surveys. The community research and input phase will conclude at the end of September. The committee will then consider the input for the preferred option and assess what the future next steps may be that will define how the interpretive centre functions into the future.

“The Interpretive Centre at the CVWMA has huge potential to serve and benefit Creston as well as the region and even the province,” says Binks, “That’s why this matters.”

“Re-imagining the future of the interpretive centre will require the ideas and cooperation of many people and organizations who share an interest in charting a new course for this important centre,” says Kindy Gosal, Columbia Basin Trust’s Director of Special Initiatives.

The 28 member Interpretive Centre Committee includes representatives from the Regional District of Central Kootenay Area A, B, and C, Town of Creston, Lower Kootenay Band, Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Columbia Brewing Company, BC Hydro, Fortis, Wildsight, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Columbia Basin Trust and others.

The committee will oversee the development of the options regarding the future operations of the Interpretive Centre.

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