The Kraft Celebration Tour rolled into Invermere August 19 to deliver $25,000 and TSN was on hand to showcase the lakeside community to the nation.

Hundreds of residents and visitors packed Kinsmen Beach to witness the cheque presentation – for the Rotary Club of Invermere’s Splash Park project– and to watch TSN hosts Jennifer Hedger and Darren Dutchyshen conduct a live broadcast, including features on Invermere and area, with one highlighting Indian Beach resident Bruce Stroud and more than 30 years of triathlons, from the Windermere Loop to the Heart of the Rockies.

Along with the $25,000 prize for capturing the most online votes, defeating Pemberton, the Invermere project received $5,000 from Windermere resident and entrepreneur and national television celebrity Brett Wilson, who promised the money if people knuckled down and voted for the splash park.

The natural beauty of the valley clearly left an impression with Dutchyshen, who commented, “I could live here” between takes on a stage overlooking Taynton Bay. The long-time Sports Centre host plunged into the area’s recreational opportunities while in town, including taking a trip up Mount Swansea, water skiing and more.

Invermere Mayor Gerry Taft noted that with the $30,000 received Monday, the $320,000 project is now only $120,000 away from completion.

Kootenay-Columbia MP David Wilks and Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald were also on hand for the four-hour celebration at the beach, which included a barbecue, a large variety of tasty giveaways and a conduit of exposure to the nation courtesy the most-watched sports highlight show in the country.

Click on image to enlarge and to begin self-directed slide show…

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW and

Carrie Schafer/Through My Eyes Photography

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