By Stephanie Stevens

Invermere in the summertime for many families, visiting and local, means getting in a little beach time.

But while the District of Invermere (DOI)-owned Kinsmen Beach has seen multiple improvements, additions and regular maintenance, the beach at James Chabot Provincial Park (JCPP) has seen a “decline in quality and service since 2000” which increases usage at Kinsmen Beach.

DOI interim chief administrative officer Kindry Luyendyk Jan. 28, in a letter, outlined that there has been minimal capital investment by the province and in 2018 the district received several complaints regarding the maintenance of the park. Cleanliness of the washrooms, pathway degradation, lawn maintenance, parking lot maintenance and garbage pick-up were all among the complaints received.

The contracted services for JCPP amount to about $8,000 per year, compared to the $120,000 per year the DOI expends to operate and maintain Kinsmen Beach.

Luyendyk explained at last fall’s Union of B.C. Municipalities convention council was informed by the Deputy Minister of Environment that the province is interested in transferring the lands to the DOI.

She and DOI Mayor Al Miller then met with staff from BC Parks to discuss the next steps.

“The resolution (which passed) at the council meeting outlined our interest in the possibility of a land transfer to the DOI and we will see if there is interest from the province to continue in that direction,” said Luyendyk. “It could potentially take one and a half to two years to complete if we are successful.”

Lead image: Dawn at James Chabot Provincial Park beach in Invermere. e-KNOW file photos

e-KNOW

Article Share