Celebrating 50 Years with Elkford & Fording River!
Cover photos supplied by Teck and Elkford Chamber of Commerce
50
ELKFORD CELEBRATES
50 YEARS!
Proud to be part of the Elkford community since 1994
1996
2002
2008
2021
EKCCU.COM CR ANBROOK • ELKFORD • FERNIE • SPARWOOD
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Proud to be a part of the community of Elkford and involved in the mining industry.
Congrats on 50 Years!
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Mayor Dean McKerracher, “Fifty years later, we’re still here!” “My family first moved to Elkford from Trail in 1971—the year that Elkford became a municipality. The original plan for my family was to come to Elkford, make the big dollars and go back to Trail. Fifty years later, we’re still here! I was the first equipment operator working for the mine, helping to build the town as we know it today. In addition to a long career in mining, I am proud to have served Elkford on municipal council for the last 19 years: the first three as a councillor and the last 16 as Elkford’s mayor. And what an honour it has been! When we first moved to Elkford, it was nothing more than some single and double-wide trailers and a very large work-camp, as well as a mobile home park down by the river (which is now the location of the Teck parking lot). They had just started to build homes and there was only a first-aid station for healthcare. Today, we’re a flourishing mountain town that has grown to accommodate more than 2,500 full-time residents. Our community is among the friendliest and most welcoming you’ll find anywhere. It’s amazing how many modern amenities and services we have that you’d usually only find in large cities!
Mayor Dean McKerracher” by Tasha Chorneyko
On July 16, Elkford marked its 50th Anniversary. We were planning an extra special event this September—combining Elkford’s 50th and our annual Wildcat Days event—but in accordance with the latest provincial health orders, we will be postponing this event until it’s permitted for us to safely gather again. As disappointed as we are to share this news, the safety of our community members, staff and the event participants continues to be our first priority. Someday soon, I hope to invite you to celebrate with us and experience everything Elkford has to offer. Until then, stay safe and take care of yourselves!” --Mayor Dean McKerracher, District of Elkford
Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary!
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Elkford to be incorporated as village July 21st 1971 Free Press Files
Elkford and a spokesperson told The Free Press that it is expected 160 new homes will be built there by the end of 1971 and that about 50 mobile homes will be in place.
Monday, August 2, will be a historical date for the new Village of Elkford, situated north of Sparwood near Boivin One of the problems facing the new council is provisions of Creek. On that day will be held the first council meeting enlarged facilities for sewage disposal. The village already has a small sewage plant, but with rapid population growth of the new village. this will soon be too small. LETTER PATENT Proposed is a sewage lagoon, plans for which have already The letters patent have already been signed and a five- been approved. member council appointed by order in council. Plans are also underway for construction of a dam on Serving are H.M. Keys, N.J. Moxham, Mrs. Barbara Boivin Creek, known locally as Goat Creek, in order to Taplin, Anthony Eeglon and Karl Maartman. get sufficient domestic water supplies. For want of a village office, the meeting will be held in Because no property assessments have been carried out, the recreation hall. the fledgling council has no tax revenue coming in and The village was formed under what is termed “instant town cannot expect any until 1972. legislation” and that is now included in the Municipal Act. Financing until the end of 1971 will be provided by Fording Coal and early in 1972, the council may borrow funds from 445 PERSONS the Department of Municipal Affairs. At latest word, there are now 445 persons residing in
Celebrating & Supporting the SuCCeSS of elkford & fording!
Happy 50th Anniversary! MAXAM EXPLOSIVES INC. 652 Sparwood Dr. Unit B, Sparwood BC 250.410.1088 I www.maxam.net
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Elkford Chamber celebrating Elkford’s 50th Anniversary Celebrating Elkford’s 50th Anniversary this year is bringing nostalgia to the town and for many that grew up here from the beginning of its start in 1971. Starting off with 38 trailer homes, a school-built trailer and community centre there has been so much growth in Elkford over the years and the memories built along the way from the very beginning to now. Over the 50 years Elkford has grown its small town to a vibrant community loved by families and workers of the mines. We have seen so much built by local businesses, the District of Elkford and with the help of mining operations to be the town it is today. With Elkford’s beautiful 360 degrees of panoramic views of the mountains, beautiful wildlife that roams the town…yes bears included, the hiking paths, skiing, golfing, snowmobiling, atv and bike trails, Elk Lakes, Blue Lake, Josephine Water Falls there is so much to do in and around town for the outdoor enthusiast. Over all these years….one thing remains the same from the beginning…. Elkford loves its curling! Looking over all the pictures posted on Elkford BC Facebook page it shows how much our town has loved this sport and that we have many talented curlers in our town!!
For more information on living in Elkford, check out the District of Elkford’s webpage: www.elkford.ca or the Chamber’s webpage: www.elkfordchamber.ca.
Our mining town has grown into a beloved family sought out place to live with great jobs, affordable housing and many programs and events to suite the needs of our children and the future of Elkford. With continued growth for businesses, tourism and recreation for our community it is no wonder why so many want to live in Elkford, Wild at Heart!” --Shawna Bryant, Executive Director, Elkford Chamber of Commerce
Causeway Bay Happy Anniversary to Our Friends & Neighbours in Elkford!
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Gateway Restaurant & Rockies Lounge OFFERING DAILY SPECIALS RESTAURANT MON-FRI, 7-9 PM LOUNGE MON-FRI, 4-10 PM CALL TO PLACE YOUR ORDER 250-425-2003
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To go through the years of Elkford I recommend joining the Facebook page: “Elkford BC” to look through the pictures and articles posted.
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A huge thank you to Del Pare for keeping the history our great town alive!
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Teck Fording River Summer 2021
PH: 250.425.7755 INFO@CCCONTAINERS.CA
50 Years & Counting Congrats!
Our sincere Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary CRANE SERVICES LTD. 644 Sparwood Drive, Sparwood / 250-425-2713 / pjbcrane.ca / info@pjbcrane.ca
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Teck Fording River Summer 2021
BEARSPAW CONTRACTING
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED LABOUR/ JANITORIAL COMPANY
EST 2006
The ownership has lived in Elkford since 1972. One of the major reasons why Bearspaw invests locally.
Congratulations to Elkford on 50 Years! 4D Front Street I Elkford I 250.865.2327 i.benson@bearspawcontracting.com I bearspawcontracting.com
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Congratulations to Teck Fording River and District of Elkford on reaching this milestone.
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First Elkford Council Sworn in
Providing Safe Solutions WE DO IT RIGHT
250-421-0978
Congratulations on your 50th anniversary! Come try our fantastic specials & great view from the patio!
2200 BaLmer Drive Elkford • 250-865-4320
p m a
Light
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Cheers!
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www.proteck.ca
The new council Mayor Keys, Mrs Barbara Taplin, Karl Maartman, Tonu Eeglon and George Moxham seen above cutting the cake
August 4th 1971 Free Press Files
Congratulations to the community of Elkford and Fording River we wish you another 50 years and more of continued success.
O
e: (250) 417-6022
Email: tom.shypitka.MLA@leg.bc.ca
The four men and one woman who are charged with directing the affairs of Elkford. BC’s newest municipality, were sworn in Monday night by Judge Hugh Swayze of Fernie in a simple ceremony in the community hall. In its first action as new council, the group elected Horace Keys as Elkford’s first Mayor and it was to him that Ian Dodds, executive assistant to Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Campbell, presented the letters patent. Mr. Dodds followed this up by presenting a gravel and mallet from the minister to Mr. Keys. The engraving on the gift was a little premature. It stated the inaugural meeting was held on July 16th instead of the actual august 2. There was little business other than formalities. Mrs Grace Malnarich was named acting clerk and acting treasurer. Jack Fentzko of Fernie was named auditor and the Royal Bank Branch in Sparwood was selected as the bank. Next meeting was set for Aug. 10 in Elkford information office. Mayor Keys advised councilor George Moxham to see what he could do to come up with better accommodation for future meetings, but there is so far no plan for a community centre. Stan Wilson, Chairman of the RDEK and MLA Leo Nimsick were among the guests for the meeting. Both men, who were accompanied by their wives, extended congratulations to the new municipality. Mr. Wilson described some of the services available from the RDEK, advising that small communities cannot hire on their own such people as building inspectors, assessors and planners. The RDEK has men available for municipalities. Judge Swayze also said a few words as did several other guests. Mr. Dodds speaking on behalf of Mr. Campbell, advised the new council that not only the provincial government but also branches of the federal government are available to advise and assist municipalities. The new council is composed of Mayor Keys, Mrs Barbara Taplin, Karl Maartman, Tonu Eeglon and George Moxham.
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Congratulations to Teck Fording River and the District of Elkford on this
50 YEAR MILESTONE
FIORENTINO BROS. CONTRACTING Road Building - Land Clearing - Mining Earthmoving - Equipment Rentals
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Photos courtesy of Finning >
PROUD PARTNERS OF FORDING RIVER FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. Congratulations on 50 years. Here’s to 50 more building our community together.
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A notable opening for Elkford's Community Conference Centre
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Happy 50th Anniversary! We salute the Best Wishesofon this firefighters the Elk ValleyOccasion. and Momentous South Country!
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It’s Elkford’s 50th
Congrats on achieving this milestone! Elkford Mayor Dean Mckerracher, Minister Ida Chong from the Ministry of Community, Sport & Cultural Development and Bill Bennett, MLA Kootenay East cut the ribbon at the official grand opening ceremony.
July 5 2012 Free Press Files The first glimpse of sun many have seen in days was beaming down its rays on all those attending the official ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony for the Elkford Community Conference Centre. Residents, business owners, visitors and many honoured dignitaries attended to formally celebrate the opening of the state of the art building. After the ribbon cutting was the Grand Opening Ceremony held in the Teck Hall. Mayor McKerracher opened the event by providing a brief overview of the project and acknowledged the efforts and contributions of those that helped make the project possible. "This building has been a vision of ours for many years. Waiting for the doors to open gave me the same feeling as I had when I was waiting for my wife to deliver our babies," said McKerracher. "Every time I look at this building, I stand in awe. We are so proud, the facility is beautiful and is even more exceptional as it is sitting on the traditional land of the Ktunaxa. We are pleased to welcome everyone, today and in the future," he said. "Congratulations!" said MLA Bill Bennett. "I am really proud to call Dean McKerracher my friend. Without him, we would not be standing here in this building.” Bennett also gave credit to Teck and the huge contribution they make to the Valley. The $6.4 million energy-efficient Community Conference Centre is constructed of structural wood which captures carbon and conserves maximum energy and reduces the Centre’s environmental footprint. The 1,800 square-metre building features a Visitor Centre, playschool, commercial kitchen, banquet hall with a stage for the performing arts, multi-purpose meeting rooms as well as historical displays. The building is being widely recognized for its innovative use of wood products, as it is the first commercial application of Cross Laminated Timbers (CLT) wall panels in North America. "The wood used in our new centre provides beautiful aesthetics while supporting the wood industry and wood innovation in our province. This building will play a key role in helping our community grow and prosper, benefitting current and future generations.” proudly boasted Mayor Dean McKerracher. The community celebrated with a barbecue and tours of the new facility through the afternoon and into the evening.
The Free Press Congrats from
250-423-4607 792 2nd Ave., Fernie
250-425-6489 2-101 Red Cedar Dr., Sparwood
Congratulations to Elkford & Fording River on your 50th Anniversary!
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Congratulations Elkford!
Congratulations to our friends, neighbours and co-workers in the District of Elkford!
It’s time to celebrate!
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East Kootenay Community Credit Union is proud to be part of the community from opening in Elkford in 1994 until today!
Proud to serve the communities we live in.
Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary!
Call Apex Power & Automation for all of your Commercial or Industrial Electrical needs. 250.425.5464
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Fabrication • Cranes • Repairs • Metal Buildings
Proud to have been a part of the last 50 years of both Elkford and Fording!
Congratulations on 50 Years! Making a Difference: Putting the focus back on exceptional Service with First Nations Commitment
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Congratulations on your 50-year milestone Teck Fording Operations and District of Elkford
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Celebrating 50 years of Fording River Operations Thank you to everyone that has contributed to this legacy and to those that continue to advance our industry-leading practices. Learn more about the future of Fording River Operations at fordingriverextension.teck.com
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