Sparwood’s 50th Anniversary Congratulations Sparwood Teck is proud to celebrate this important community milestone with you. We look forward to another 50 years working closely together.
C2 THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Welcome from the committee On behalf of Sparwood’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee we welcome you to celebrate with us, our rich history and heritage, as well as the vibrant community we have become today. In a short 50 years many lives have changed to lend in the creation of the community we now call home. It is our intention, to not only celebrate this 50th anniversary, but also to commemorate the history of Michel, Natal and Middletown and the lives of the residents who lived there. Since the incorporation of Sparwood in 1966, there has been much growth, success and accomplishments within the community, from the very first Post
Office to the building of the Recreation Centre and much in between. It is in part all those who dedicated their time, efforts and energy into seeing these projects through that has provided us with all the great services we currently enjoy. We hear often what a clean and beautiful town we have, know firsthand our strong sense of community and how our residents stick together and share in the pride of seeing how much our community has to offer. It is our hope, that you will join us on May 12 for the Community Celebration at the Sparwood Visitor Information Center/ Titan Park for a free barbecue, music and
cake as well as our special commemorative 50th picture and a 60s themed Sock Hop Family Fun dance in the evening at Frank J Mitchell Elementary School. Following that, we are hoping that everyone near and far will join in the fun again as we host a 50th Reunion Dinner to take place the Friday evening of Coal Miner Days. We look forward to seeing you! Jenna Jensen, Tamarra Pryhitko, Justine Bowen, Duane Lawrence, Sue Mortimer, Sharon Strom, Norma McDougall, Rose Sharma, Rosalie Fornasier & Doug Petevello.
Message from the Mayor It is an honour for myself and Council to be a part of the 50th Birthday celebration for Sparwood. Although 50 years is a short period of time for a community to be around we share a great history in our heritage from Michel, Natal and Middletown. That is our true heritage and we look forward to celebrating that as well. We look forward to reacquainting with old
friends to share stories and memories with everyone. Please keep in mind May 12 at noon for a “community” picture at Titan Park and the Reunion Dinner on June 10 during Coal Miner Days to bring everyone together. Tell your friends and relatives with connections to Sparwood, Michel, Natal and Middletown to keep the dates open and we look forward to
Upcoming Events Anniversary Party & Cake Cutting
When: 11:30 - 1:30 p.m. May 12, 2016 Where: Sparwood Chamber of Commerce Titan Park Community photo, live music FREE BBQ, cake & more!
Sock Hop Dance Family Fun Event
When: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. May 12, 2016 Where: Frank. J. Mitchell Elementary School Gym Music by T&L Dynamic Sound, food & drink available for purchase, prizes for 1960 style best dressed sock hoppers as well as best dancers! Everyone welcome!
Mining Week!
When: May 8 - 14, 2016 Where: Mine tours will be departing from the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce daily. Tours are free, but pre-registration is required. Contact the Sparwood Chamber at administrator@sparwoodchamber. bc.ca or 250.425.2423 for more info or to register.
Sparwood’s 50th Anniversary Dinner
When: June 10, 2016 Where: Sparwood Leisure Centre Doors Open & Cash Bar 5:00 p.m. Dinner & Dance 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Fireworks 11:15 p.m. Adults only (19+)
Mining Week Luncheon
When: May 13, 2016 Where: Everyone is welcome to join the Sparwood Chamber & special guests in celebrating mining. Tickets are available at the Chamber. seeing everyone. Happy Anniversary Sparwood! Mayor Cal McDougall
Watch for newspaper & poster advertising or visit our Facebook Page (District of Sparwood/Sparwood Recreation Centre or our website Sparwood.ca. For more information contact smortimer@sparwood.ca
Get The Gear! On sale now is Sparwood’s 50th Anniversary Logo’d Clothing. Get yours at the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce today.
Would like to wish Sparwood all the best in its 50th year
Electrical Contractor Getting old isn’t easy, so let’s at least make it fun! By celebrating together
Cheers to Sparwood 50 Years!
• Affidavits • Wills • Contracts • Leases • Real Estate • • Business Transfers • Mobile Homes • Mortgages • Business: (250) 425-2114 Fax: (250) 425-2204 Toll Free: 1-800-668-7729 Fernie Office: (250)-423-2161 Email: marian@gravellenotary.com P.O. Box 1886, 114 Centennial Square, Sparwood, BC. V0B 2G0
THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
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Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Welcome to Sparwood D475A-5 D475A-5 “Gateway to British Columbia” - a clean, connected community nestled in the Rocky Mountains offering endless opportunities. Sparwood aspires to always honour the past while creating an exciting and stable future. Sparwood has an amazing history. Prior to 1900, there was a small railroad stop known as Sparwood which was so named because of the trees from this area being shipped to the coast for manufacturing SPARS for ocean vessels. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s coal development in this area resulted in three communities known as Michel, Natal and Sparwood. By 1903 Sparwood had its first Post Office however by 1916 it closed after the Canadian Pacific Railway was constructed and the Great Northern Railway into the United States ceased operations. By 1966, the Village of Natal and the settlement of Michel were devastated by coal dust. The Village of Natal in cooperation with the Provincial and Federal Governments entered into an Urban Renewal and Land Assembly program which eventually resulted in the total elimination of Natal and Michel and the expansion of Sparwood, a few miles removed from
the dust pollution. The Municipality was formed from the communities of Michel, Natal, Sparwood, Elk Valley (in part only) and Crowsnest. This is an exciting time for Sparwood - come and see what we have to offer. Visit our new “Gateway” Visitor Information Centre this summer where the largest tandem-axle dump truck in the world is located! Sparwood is proud to be the home of the Terex Titan, all 350 tonnes, 66 feet and 3,300 Horse Power of it, built by General Motors, and large enough that two Greyhound buses and 2 pickups can fit into the box! It’s a must to see! While visiting Sparwood take a Mural Walk, tour the restored mining artifacts located throughout town or go on a tour of the largest Open-pit coal mine in Canada - available in July and August. Sparwood, with a population of 4,000, is located at the junction of Highway 3 and Highway 43 in the BC Rockies, 18 miles (29 km) north of Fernie and approximately 11 miles (18 km) west of the Alberta/British Columbia border. To the north on Highway 43 (21 miles/34 km) is the community of Elkford. For those who enjoy winter sports,
The Komatsu D475A-5 has a net horsepower of 664 KW 890HP @ 2000 The Komatsu D475A-5 weight has a net RPM and an operating of 108,390 horsepower 664 KW 890HP @ 2000 kg (238,960 of lbs.). RPM and an operating weight of 108,390 particularly snowmobiling and cross country skiing, take advantage kg (238,960 lbs.). of the endless opportunities with Other features include: varied terrain and dependable snow conditions. Trail maps are available • Dual tilt – increases productivity at the Tourist Information Centre, gas Other features include: stations and other town outlets. And while reducing operator effort for the downhill skiing enthusiasts, • Dual tilt – increases productivity we are only ½ hour from the world • Hydraulic driven engine cooling Fernie Ski Resort. while reducing operator effortclass This region is also one of the most – controlled automatically, beautiful wildlife habitats in North • fan Hydraulic driven engine cooling America, and it is very unusual to reduces fuel consumption and through here without seeing an fan – controlled automatically,pass elk, bear, deer or bighorn sheep. For those amateur photographers, operating noise levels reduces fuel consumption andall keep your camera close by. • Extra-low profile – operating machine noise levels 1/2 page excellent • provides Extra-low machine machine profile – and of gravity 6balance column xlow 7” center provides excellent machine balance and 10.333” x low 7” center of gravity
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C4 THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Our Story We’re a working community. We’ve always been involved in the mining industry and coal is at the core of our community. But we’re more than metallurgical ore; we’re a group of people who are united in interests, activities and place. Sparwood was originally a collection of five coal mining communities. During the 1960’s, the communities were consolidated into one area or District, called Sparwood, in homage to the history of trees harvested in the area intended for use as masts on ships. The original logo for the area possessed five stars, one for each of the consolidated communities. Today, however, the new logo possesses only one star, indicative of a community prepared to continue moving forward as one, proud of their past, and intent on their future. Sparwood is situated in the Rocky Mountains of south eastern BC. Our location offers a myriad of outdoor recreational opportunities, stunning vistas, and all the fresh elements naturally afforded in a spectacular mountain setting.
Now and Then By John Kinnear - May 10 1995
The grand-daddy of ‘em all In the world of mining equipment there has been a gradual scalingup of mining machines through the last few decades. That process has led to the development of draglines, shovels and haul trucks that are truly monstrous in size. While there is still some minor scaling-up going on of some types of equipment, there is one type that “maxed out” size-wise a few years back. That type is the rock hauler and the largest size it reached was a 350-tonne truck affectionately known
as the “Titan.” In the late 1960s General Motors’ Diesel Division conceived and engineered what was, still is and probably will always be the biggest haul truck ever made in the world. The Titan was deemed to be the prototype of a new generation of larger payload trucks. The dictionary definition of titan is “any person or thing of great size or power” which makes it an appropriate name for this truck. In terms of size, the Titan is 67 feet long and 25.5 feet wide. With the box raised, its Canopy towers 56 feet in the air. (That’s 5.5 stories high.) The Titan ran on 10 tires which stood 11 feet high and weighed 3.5 tons each! The box floor area was 865 feet which is almost as big as my house. To visually demonstrate the box’s capacity General Motors shipped the Titan to the American Mining Congress convention in Las Vegas, in 1974, with five full size American-made cars (including a Cadillac) inside the box. At the show the box was raised regularly throughout each day of the show so people could see this behemoth’s capacity.
The Titan was powered by a 3,300-horsepower diesel engine that ran four electric traction wheel motors, two being mounted within each rear axle housing. The 16-cylinder engine was of a type commonly used in railway locomotives and power generating sets. Each cylinder boasted 645 cubic inches of displacement and they generated that 3,300 horsepower at only 900 r.p.m., making for a fairly quiet engine. That size of engine used as a generator had the capacity to meet the electrical needs of approximately 3,200 homes. Sounds like it could provide backup in the event of a power failure in Sparwood! There were two identical sectional core radiators on either side of the power plant each with a 68-inch fan. That’s probably enough wind power to blow the change right out of your pocket! Some of the Titan’s other features included automatic rear-axle steering, a fail-safe braking system and insulation against low operating sound. Impressive statistics aside, the gang at Westar started working with the Titan in late 1978 after it had undergone 12 months of rigorous testing at Kaiser Steel’s Eagle Mountain mine in California. In 1983 Westar opted out of its lease with G.M. and bought the Titan outright. That gave their maintenance group the opportunity to make some badly needed changes. Frame corrections, some innovative rear steering modifications, relocation of filtering systems and a reworked hosing setup all improved the Titan’s availability. According to Bill Savilow, former equipment instructor at Westar, the Titan couldn’t be beat when it
was running properly. Bill says it was a good truck that just wasn’t given a proper chance. In the end maintenance costs of this “prototype” was its demise. A drive by the Sparwood Tourist Centre these days will reveal the substantial progress of the Titan Committee as the biggest truck in the world is refurbished and reassembled for display. During Coal Miner Day’s this group hopes to officially dedicate the truck. It is interesting to note that someone estimated that the Titan could carry a payload of two million golf balls. As a comparison, that’s just about how many would be lost in a week on the Sparwood golf course. Or so I’ve heard!
THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
The Terex Titan -A Truck for a Buck November 23 1994
The Terex Titan was placed on display in 1994 & 1995. Our Public Works issued a permit for the move, in three pieces. The Box on Dec 8, 1994 was moved by Nohels, The canopy (extension over the cab) December 18, 1994 by Kiki & Sons and the chassis on January 12, 1995 by Nohels.
Members of the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce Titan committee presented Elkview Coal general manager Wolf Nickel with a $1 cheque on Nov. 18. The cheque covered the purchase price of the Terex Titan, the largest dump truck in the world. The truck is to be brought down from the mine site and turned into a tourist attraction beside Highway 3. From left to right areAllan Barrass, Grant Henderson (Chamber president), Cal McDougall (Titan committee chairman), Janice Taylor, Nickel and Fritz Brockel.
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C6 THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Sparwood mining history and heritage Sparwood is a town that is soaked in history. History that sometimes seems forgotten, landmarks and memories erased over time, revived only in stories from those who saw the beginning and museum’s documents that record the past. Some residents that still reside in Sparwood have stories, stories that bear the creation of Sparwood. For some the creation of Sparwood is bittersweet, reminding lifelong residents of the loss they endured years ago to get here - and for others Sparwood was a sign of hope for a brighter future. Sparwood’s roots are deep and must not be forgotten, as the loss of three small towns, is how Sparwood became what it is today.
Michel, Natal & Middletown These three small settlements only separated by a kilometer house what
Middletown One of the least known settlements of the three, Middletown was given
was eventually to be the beginning of Sparwood. Many people travelled from England, Czechoslovakia and Italy among other places to start a new life and the hopes of a bright future in the booming coal mining industry.
its name as it was located between the two towns of Michel and Natal. Middletown was the smallest of the three settlements, consisting of 3 dirt roads and approximately 40 houses.
Michel Maybe seen as the most well known and documented of the three
The Makings of Sparwood Sparwood was developed in 1939 by Crow’s Nest Coal Company for
settlements, Michel is where the coal boom began. In 1899 the Crow’s Nest Coal Company (CNP) was ready for a huge success & future in mining when testing revealed that the coal in the area was perfect for coking - which also meant huge profits. The first settlements consisted of 12 identical houses, the Michel Hotel and a little store. Men went to work in the mines and the women tended house. At first coal production was slow, but a push from CPR encouraged the mines to start producing more. Life in Michel was not without misfortune. Fires for three consecutive years and explosions invaded the mines killing many men.
Village of Michel
a place to house mine managers. Sparwood was clean and quiet, being built upwind from the bellowing smoke and debris from the coke ovens. In 1960 oil and gas were in much more demand than coal and the effects on the settlements had already been taken. Many people were left in dismay as they had put all their life’s savings into the homes they had built in the towns. A lot of folks were angry and did not want to leave, but in the end they were left no choice as their homes were demolished. What little money they did receive for them was surely not enough to build a new one, but people made do. The beginning of Sparwood may not have been the brightest, but to take a look at it now, all will say what a wonderful place it is to live.
View of coke ovens in Michel, B.C.
Natal Natal was first established in 1907. Natal was also known as New Town
and New Michel. Natal was a place set up to give the miners options of another place to live besides the town of Michel. Miners could build their own houses here as many did, and later some small family businesses set up shop which created jobs for the women and became a central place for families to go when they needed something.
Downtown Natal
Michel-Natal District Hospital
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Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Natal, Sparwood Vote to Dissolve as Villages to Make Way for Incorporation of Modern District Municipality March 24 1966 NATAL — Councils of the villages of Natal and Sparwood and the board of Michel Hospital improvement district have approved proposals for dissolution of their jurisdictions and creation of a new municipal district. The three-way action followed quickly on the heels of receipt last week of a report on the Urban Renewal Scheme aimed at relocation of Natal-Michel. The report prepared by a firm of consulting engineers and the regional planning division of the department of municipal affairs, declared that relocation to Sparwood would be economically and physically feasible. Natal and Sparwood passed resolutions approving the move to Sparwood and rejected other alternatives, such as relocation to Fernie. If the scheme is approved by the federal and provincial governments who share the cost of a 7525 per cent basis, Sparwood will be the centre of a new district municipality within the same boundaries as the present hospital improvement district. NO RECOMMENDATION It was stressed by a spokesman at Victoria this week that the report on the scheme in no way constitutes a recommendation that Sparwood be the relocation site. Rather it is a study showing only that Sparwood is “feasible.” Pointed out as an alternative in the report is relocation to Fernie which then would become the
centre of a municipal district corresponding to the present School District Number One. The suggested Fernie municipality would have an assessment of over $15,000,000, compared with the Sparwood district’s estimated $8,250,000. It was reported by Orlando Ungaro, chairman of the joint relocation committee of Natal-Sparwood that neither council or I found any difficulty in approving the relocation scheme. But he said that choosing the site — whether Fernie or Sparwood — was most difficult. Sparwood got the nod eventually as the most likely to be generally accepted by the people involved. MODEL TOWNSITE If finally approved by the senior governments, Sparwood will be a model townsite with an estimated minimum population of almost 1,700 and a maximum of 3,100. The estimates are based on projected employment figures and the likely choice of living locations by the labor force. In a kind of conclusion to its detailed report on Sparwood, the engineers had this to say: “… Although consideration was given to alternatives, Sparwood was designated the only available building site within Michel Creek-Elk River Valleys which was acceptable to the joint councils of Natal and Sparwood. This area, as compared to Natal is free of the major sources of pollution…
ANY ATTRIBUTES “Many desirable attributes for a community are available at Sparwood including building area in which to expand, a south-westerly exposure, existing residential development of high standard, variety of building site types and a generally attractive setting “However, Crows Nest Industries have recently indicated developments that could seriously affect the choice of Sparwood as a site for relocation. These are the transportation of coal adjacent to the town from a potential strip mine to the south and the possibility of a second railway line being located in the (Sparwood) valley.” Cost of moving Natal, demolition, etc., is estimated at $2,350,000 reduced by re-sale of abandoned land to $2,107,729. Cost of moving Natal, demo-service, sewers and sewage plants in the new Sparwood would be about $1,329,100, plus either through private or municipal development, $118,000 for power and street lights and $429,000 for a gas utility. Air pollution was the subject of an admitted brief test in the engineer’s report. Conclusion, as distinct from the qualification about future development, was that under present conditions “pollution such as exists in Natal or will exist from increased coal production will not adversely affect Sparwood.”
The Chamber is proud to be a part of Sparwood for last 33 years, and help make it the great town it is. Please join us at the Visitor Center/Titan Park, May 12 Community Picture @ noon and a free barbecue to celebrate Sparwood’s 50th Anniversary.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DISTRICT OF SPARWOOD ON YOUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
C8 THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Over 400 Listen To Outline of Plan To Relocate Village April 7 1966
SPARWOOD — A crowd of 450 to 500 people at Sparwood Secondary School Sunday heard Natal council chairman Orlando Ungaro and officials of the B.C. regional planning division, Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation and consulting Engineers Underwood McLellan explain the Natal Urban Renewal Scheme. Consulting engineer Bill Tapuska outlined the manner in which Natal buildings were assessed, a study which resulted in finding that about 30 residences, and some commercial buildings could be moved. Cost of the urban renewal scheme, which does not include any provision for compensation of Michel residents, will be shared 50 per cent by the federal government and 25-25 by the province and the proposed district municipality of Sparwood. This involves provision of serviced building land at Sparwood, oil surface roads, open ditch storm sewers except in the commercial area and some sidewalks. Extra costs would be electric power and natural gas utilities. The municipality’s share would be $526,000. Cost of disposal of Natal will be $2,107,729, while cost
of the new townsite services will be $1,329,150. B.C. Regional planner Bill Tassie summarized the manner in which his department attempted to layout the new townsite plan, outlining the age groups, the type of housing required, the probable size of commercial area (roughly) the same as now at Natal, and the general design of the town as described previously in the joint report of the engineers and the planning division. Maps showing the layout were displayed around the hall. CENTENNIAL JOB CMHC’s B.C. supervisor R. G. Clauson described CMHS’s part in the program — describing the project as “one of the most interesting which has come our way in a long time. I hope that with the co-operation of the province and the two councils concerned, that we can do a ‘centennial job’ on this urban renewal scheme.” Questioned about a shopping centre, Mr. Tassie said that an arrangement might be made through the special agency to be set up or that Natal merchants might be able to get together on it.
NO PROBLEM NOW About pollution, Underwood’s vicepresident Len Grover said there is some pollution in every city, that the engineers had made their own tests, talked with present Sparwood residents and arrived at the consensus that there is no pollution problem in Sparwood now. Crows Nest vice-president of mines Jim Morris, asked about new coal plants, said the present Michel tipple is obsolete, that it is planned to replace it at a site a half-mile east of the present one. To a question about rented homes, Mr. Ungaro said it is hoped private enterprise can be persuaded to fill the need — perhaps through apartments and if this is not enough, will ask the senior governments to co-operate in a low-rental housing scheme. 15 MILLS TAX There were several questions about costs in the new townsite, but specifics couldn’t be answered immediately — such as price of lots. However, the chairman said that the municipality’s share could be paid off from the B.C. per capita grant and that the mill rate should not be higher
than Natal’s present 15 mills. For those of near-retirement age and those already retired, the senior citizens’ housing project now being organized was suggested as an alternative to buying a new home. The plan is to start servicing the new townsite this year, and start building there in 1967, with the big move from Natal to start in 1968. HOSPITAL NOT CLEAR Question of replacement of Michel Hospital is still unanswered, with BCHIS so far failing to promise a new Sparwood hospital. The same problem applies to church replacements — there have been no definite answers. Mr. Tassie said it is possible the government will include replacement of the hospital in the urban renewal scheme. Mr. Ungaro was enthusiastic about the revenue position of the proposed new municipality, saying “I really cannot see a better set up than we will have here at Sparwood.” Referring to pollution, Mr. Ungaro thought the new municipality would be in a position to control any sources of pollution in the new townsite should they occur.
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Congratulations to the Community of Sparwood on your 50th Anniversary” “MLA Bill Bennett proudly supports Communities throughout the Elk Valley” Kootenay East Constituency Office 100C Cranbrook Street N., Cranbrook, BC V1C 3P9
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THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
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Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
See New Sparwood Town Completed in Three Years Febuary 18 1965 Relocation of Natal and Michel communities to a new town at Sparwood, centre of a district municipality as yet not incorporated, is expected to take about three years. This was the word from Orlando Ungaro, chairman of the joint Sparwood-Natal Relocation Committee, who was a speaker at Thursday’s meeting of Fernie Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ungaro is chairman of Natal Village council. He described the massive relocation problem as “very new to all of Canada,” because the threeway provincial - federal -municipal partnership under which it is being arranged only became possible under recent new legislation. First step in the relocation, that through which the project is now going, said Mr. Ungaro, is the feasibility study, involving complete re-assessment of all buildings to be relocated. This also involves estimating the cost of services to be provided in the new community. Planners already have visited the location and now must make sketch plans of the layout for presentation to the federal government. The federal government must have these plans before approving its participation. Costs will be paid by the federal and provincial governments, without the usual cost sharing by the municipality. “Once the plan has been approved by the senior governments,” said Mr. Ungaro, “we will immediately amalgamate the two villages and extend our boundaries. The next step will be to purchase each individual (previously evaluated) parcel of land and make available new building sites in the Sparwood area.” Steps to guard against speculation will be taken,
while lots in the new community will be made available first to those who are being “relocated.” Stringent building regulations and zoning will be enforced in the new community, but individuals will be given a free choice in the manner in which they wish to build their homes. Private enterprise will be encouraged and only where it falls short will government-financed schemes be introduced. Accommodation for senior citizens is envisaged in the scheme while federal-provincial participation in low-rental housing also is expected should the need for it arise. “The new municipality itself,” said Mr. Ungaro, “will have problems of great magnitude. Provision of services, construction of new municipal buildings and the problems of individuals affected by the relocation are only a few of the minor difficulties.” The federal government is prepared to pay half the cost of underground services, utilities, sidewalks, street-lighting, off-street parking, parks and recreational facilities, while, in addition, the new municipality will be entitled to borrow twothirds of all costs and repay the loans over a period of years. Benefits will be many. The new community will be in a better position to attract new industry, there will be better services and the tax base will be broadened. A budget of “well-over $110,000” is expected and an assessment of over $6,000,000, compared to the present assessment for the two villages of just over $1,000,000. The boundaries will extend from the Alberta border to a point about five miles east of Sparwood.
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“Our best wishes” To Sparwood on your 50th Anniversary
Sparwood Gets Okay as New Municipality May 19 1966
Officials of the newly-formed municipal district of Sparwood received an unexpected gift Sunday when they were informed by Deputy Minister of Municipal affairs J. E. Brown that his government would allow Sparwood to collect $60,000 in coal taxes. The money represents the coal tax and is made available to the new municipality providing it is used for urban renewal or capital expenditure. Formation of the municipality became a reality Friday when Lieut. Governor George Pearkes signed the letters patent at Victoria. The new municipality will have the same boundaries as the former Michel Hospital Improvement District. Interim council for the district will be headed by former Natal council chairman Orlando Ungaro, prime mover of the Natal relocation scheme. He will have the title of reeve. With Mr. Ungaro will be councillors Siro Cimolini, Joe Altomare and Lawrence Cheston of Natal and Ian Dufour, Doug Lowe and Vans Hulbert of Sparwood. The first election will coincide with provincial elections in December. Following a closed meeting Sunday between members of the former councils and Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs, it was announced that the provincial government would assume responsibility for demolition of Natal, while the district municipality will be responsible for acquisition of property in Sparwood.
Open 7 days a week
“Congratulations Sparwood on your 50th Anniversary!” 651 Douglas Fir Road Sparwood BC V0B 2G0 250-425-2077
Mon to Fri 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Sat 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Sun 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Congratulations on 50 years!
C10 THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Sparwood District Size Rivals P.E.I. New Council Holds First Meeting
May 26 1966 NATAL — The first meeting of the District Municipality of Sparwood was held Tuesday night at Natal, with Reeve Orlando Ungaro presiding over the six-man council appointed by provincial
order-in-council May 12. The meeting officially spelled the end of the villages of Natal and Sparwood, which are now amalgamated into what is thought to be the biggest municipality
in acreage in the world. The amalgamation brings under jurisdiction of council an area taking in 1,162,345 acres, roughly 83 per cent of the size of Prince Edward Island. It was formed to bring about a $3,000,000 federal provincial urban renewal scheme for Natal which involves demolition of Natal homes. Selected as the
centre of the new district is Sparwood, previously a village of some 100 families, now expected to have between 1,600 and 3,100 people when urban renewal is completed. SWELLED COFFERS Assets and responsibilities of the villages of Sparwood and Natal, as well as those of Michel Hospital Improvement District
merge under the new council. Into the council’s coffers come cash assets of $43,878, made up of $25,793 from Natal, $13,068 from the hospital district and $5,017 from Sparwood. Michel Hospital will continue to be run as a hospital society. Letters patent establishing the sprawling municipality were approved by council. A procedure bylaw and indemnity bylaw for Reeve and councillors were approved and committees of council were set up. SURE HAND Reeve Ungaro, who guided the meeting with a sure hand, ‘will receive $1,500 as Reeve, with the councillors receiving $500 per year. One third of their indemnities will be chargeable as expenses for performance of their regular duties. The amounts are the maximum permissible under the act. Former councillors of Natal and Sparwood will be paid off in accordance with the rates effective in their municipalities at the time of dissolution, Natal chairman Ungaro
previously received $1,000 a year, while Sparwood chairman Ian Dufour received $500, with Natal and Sparwood councillors receiving $350 and $200 per year respectively. NEW COUNCILLORS The new councillors are Siro Cimolini, Mr. Dufour, Joe Altomare, Doug Lowe, Vans Hulbert and Larry Cheston. Mr. Hulbert was chairman of the former hospital improvement district, while councillors Cimolini, Altomare and Cheston were former Natal councillors. Councillors Lowe and Dufour were formerly on Sparwood council. They were sworn in by new Sparwood clerk Miss Montemurro, former village clerk at Natal. In setting up committees, Chairman Ungaro stressed the importance of committee work and urged for hard work and sincere effort on the part of all. For each committee he gave a short list of objectives, detailing immediate chores for some of them. Lists of the committees will be published next week.
THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
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Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Sparwood Grand Openings January 4 1984 Final touches are being put in place before the grand opening of the Elk Valley Family Leisure Centre in Sparwood. The ceremony, described by mayor Toto Miller as being “simple” starts at 2 p.m. on Friday. Tours will follow the cutting of the ribbon. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be conducted by Mayor Miller and former mayor Henry Volkmann who launched the project a year ago. Attending will be a representation from Senator Jack Austin’s office who will be there on behalf of the federal government who aided financially in the building of the Leisure Centre. When Sparwood residents tour their new Leisure Centre they will see what appears to be a tropical garden and a sidewalk cafe, complete with continental-style umbrellas.
April 15 1983
Sparwood Communications
May 18 1999 Sparwood Council and Several mine representatives were at the town’s official archway opening ceremony May 10. The archway, which commemorated mining in the region, was opened during Mining Week 1999.
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C12 THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
One Sparwood ‘megaproject’ fast becoming reality December 1 1982
There were two important events in Sparwood on Friday. The first was the announcement about the involvement of Humford Development in the Greenwood Shopping Mall, and the second was a brief statement from the municipal hall that steel would begin to rise at the Elk Valley Family Leisure Centre on Monday. Both these “megaprojects” had been priorities for council during the past two years, and although often frustrated by high interest rates and governmental restraints one of them is fast becoming a reality and insiders say, in a very low key way of speaking, that the chances for the Mall “look pretty good.” The credit for many, many hours of hard work goes to Mayor Henry Volkmann and his council; the late Gordon McDonald, Molly Doratty, Toto Miller, Harold Jangula, Joe Jarina, Glendon Scott and clerkadministrator Loretta Montemurro. Friday, the day of the “big news,” Mayor Volkmann was out of town, doing what he has been doing for months; trying to talk the provincial government out of some bucks. It is almost an impossible task, but the mayor, backed by his council, almost camps in government offices in Victoria and Vancouver. This week he has been seeking support for the proposed Kinsmen ski hill behind Sparwood Heights and also the much needed court house facility. These, along with the Elk Valley airport are the mini megaprojects set for this coming year. It is all the ‘restraints will allow. For a time, it looked as if the big projects launched last year would die on the drawing board, their tombstones being enticing architect’s models. The first to make its appearance was the Mall. Edgar Kaiser, at the time chairman of the aboard chief executive Officer
of Kaiser Resources - Ltd., sought to get rid of the Greenwood Mall which it had reluctantly acquired during the early phases of Sparwood’s development. As a senior executive for the coal company, Henry Volkmann, then an alderman on Frank Fairclough’s council, became involved in the disposal of the Mall. A Vancouver developer, Ira Young and Associates and the architectural firm of Thompson, Berwick and Pratt were contacted, and three months after he succeeded Mayor Fairclough, those attending the largest public meeting ever held in Sparwood saw the model for the new Mall unveiled. It would more than double the size of the present Mall, with what Overwaitea Food’s owner, Jim Pattison, called “the finest Overwaitea store in the Province. It would have a department store, a swimming pool and a library, plus other facilities”. It was big news and everybody was happy. But then, interest rates suddenly soared to unbelieveable heights. Money was hard to find and the megaproject began to slide to what appeared to be oblivion.
Behind the scenes, Mayor Volkmann, his “cabinet of aldermen” and the company, searched for new interested parties, and they found them in the Bentall Group and Dominion Construction of Vancouver. The plan they produced was stripped of the swimming pool and library and other trimmings, but tied in to the overall plan for a “leisure centre” and a new hotel. Once again the mayor and his council went to work but just when the planning was moving into high gear, the first provincial restraint policy was announced which cutoff all recreational grants. It was a blow that nearly killed the ambitious program. At the same time council was wrestling with this problem, the suggestion came out from Victoria for the sharing of resource revenues of the three valley communities. Working out the complicated formula for this was another load the mayor and council took on, and it was successfully completed, but not the follow up, a sharing process which would see the Elk Valley Leisure Centre become a project which would
be shared by all communities. The economic picture continued to darken, the Bentall Group and Dominion began to shuffle away and, with the rejection of support from the other communities, hopes for the Leisure Centre began to fade, too. Last summer, council decided to scale down the Centre, dropping the library for the time being at least, and take it straight to, the people. The voters gave the idea overwhelming support and construction started in the fall, with the completion date set for the fall of 1983. In the Meantime, Mayor Volkmann was so busy with the Leisure Centre and other matters that council’s involvement in the Mall was turned over to the Industrial and Urban Development Committee, consisting of Ald. Toto Miller, Joe Jarine and Glen Scott and, of course, the company was still anxious to shed the Mall from its holdings. What went on at various meetings in Sparwood, in Vancouver and elsewhere is not known, but it may just be that a simple little thing like a pail, a plastic pail, might have turned the trick. The pail incident is said to have taken place in the coffee room of the Overwaitea store in Sparwood, where an informal meeting was held between a high Overwaitea official, a member of the council committee and “a stranger to Sparwood.” “You know,” said the alderman, “you can’t even buy a plastic pail in Sparwood. You have to go out of town to get one.” “Are there no hardware stores in Sparwood?” the stranger asked. “We used to have one,” replied the alderman, and with that the stranger, perked up his ears. The stranger was Keith Stewart of Humford Development Company of Burnaby.
THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
C13
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Leisure Centre Opens with splash January 11 1974
Sparwood Mayor Toto Miller had the distinction Friday of being the first person to enter the Elk Valley Family Leisure pool. He did it, however, involuntarily, thanks to Ald. Harold Jangula and friends who carried the mayor out of the banquet held to celebrate the opening of the centre and unceremoniously dumped him into the water. He was followed by Ald. Luigi Amerio, and then came the turn for Len Gundlock, president of the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce and operator of the dining facility in the Leisure Centre. But prior to that there was a moment for children and adults alike to enjoy and savor. It came when John Powell, vice president, mining, of Westar, aided by some preschoolers, snipped the yellow ribbon to open the Elk Valley Family Leisure Centre. Flanked by scarlet-clad Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, several hundred people gathered at the entrance to the new facility waiting for the moment they could see in reality what has been on the planning board for a couple of years. Among the dignitaries there were Bev Hendrickson, executive assistant to Senator Jack Austin, who was one of the prime movers in getting the leisure centre off the ground, Kootenay East Revelstoke Member of Parliament, Sid Parker, Fernie Mayor Tiny Shatosky, Kootenay MLA Terry Segarty. Missing from the ceremony was Henry Volk-mann, the former mayor of Sparwood, who set the whole scheme in motion after visiting a new facility, larger but similar in design to this one, in Maple Ridge on the Lower Mainland. Mr. Volkmann suffered a fall last week, and was represented at the proceedings by his daughter, Mrs. Angela Marchi and his son, Henry Volkmann Jr. When it came time for the opening the children from the Sparwood Day Care Centre marched behind the
ribbon, and two, Timothy Neudorf and Karen Robinson were selected to help Mr. Powell cut the ribbon. The scissors used to cut the ribbon, Mayor Toto Miller explained, were “a work-man’s scissors as this is a working man’s community.” With another little friend, Samantha Nault, Karen was the first to enter the foyer of the Leisure Centre, and here another ceremony took place. This was in the form of a plaque which honored the designers and contractors on the project, as well as listing the names of those who served with Mayor Volkmann on council as well as those during the administration of Mayor Miller. There was another plaque, or more to the point a wall chart on the wall of the adjoining Recreation Centre which spelled out another story about the Leisure Centre. It listed the donations made by the district, the federal and provincial governments, local service clubs and private individuals: The district: $1-million; Morning Out for Mothers, $65; Coal Miner Days, $4,000; Sparwood Brownies, $50; Weight Trainers, $3,000; Lions, $18,000; Children’s Centre, $233; Sparwood Secondary, $125; BC Coal (Westar), $1-million; Mount Carmel Society, $200; Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, $50; Hospital Employees’ Union, $200; Old Age Pensioners, $200; St. Barbara’s United Church, $120; Olsen Construction, $100; Royal Canadian Legion, $500; Sparwood Welding and Equipment Rentals, $100; Sparwood Curling Club,
Causeway Bay Hotel
$1,356; Calorie Counters, $228; Volunteer Firemen Social Club, $525; Volunteer Firemen, $100; Knights of Columbus, $10,000; Beavers, $50; Overwaitea, $1,000; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Caruso, $200; Ray Hill Carpets, $200; First Natal Scout Troop, $627; Anonymous, $250; Fund Raising Dance $103.50; the Federal government, $500,000 and the provincial Lottery Fund; $400,000. After all the ceremonies were over and done with, a long line of people made an inspection of the new facility: they saw for the first time the clear blue leisure pool, the bubbling whirlpool bath, the beautiful waterfall, the colorful ceiling decorations, the tropical plants and the continental-style tables and umbrellas, the pool-side restaurant, and then they passed by the sauna, the racquet courts, the day care centre and the youth lounge. On hand were the design team, Vic Davies and Bas Smith, of Victoria, who not only designed the Sparwood centre, but the one in Maple Ridge as well. They looked as pleased as punch as they heard the complements from those on hand. Upstairs in the Recreation Centre, where coffee, doughnuts and
cold cuts were served, there was a relaxed atmosphere as guest speakers, in short addresses, enthused over the Leisure Centre and the way it came into being. Bev Hendrickson called it a “gorgeous Leisure Centre,” and promised she would bring her triplet grandchildren up to swim in it; Terry Segarty gave “full credit to the people of Sparwood for their vision and hard work,” and he said there had been “tough negotiations and sometimes not very friendly meetings,” to get the project going; Sid Parker said there was “not a community this size in Canada that has a facility like this! and he praised Senator Austin for “coming into the riding to assist in a financial way.” “I predict,” Mr. Parker said, “that in five years we will see an Olympic swimmer coming out of this area, thanks to your Leisure Centre.” John Powell called it a “first class facility in anybody’s measurement,” and cited the remark of an old-timer with 47 years of service in the coal seams of the Valley that it was “nice but a little late in coming.” The Leisure Centre will throw open its doors to the public on January 15 when the regular schedule goes into effect.
ELK VALLEY THRIFT SHOP SOCIETY
Thrifting at its finest!
Hotel . Restaurant . Lounge Convention Centre
Congratulations & best wishes to the District of Sparwood on its 50th Anniversary
Would like to congratulate the District of Sparwood on its 50th Anniversary.
Committed to sustainability and giving back
C14 THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Honouring A Former Mayor May 18 1999
The District of Sparwood dedicated a plaque to a dedicated man last week. Othon “Toto” Miller was mayor of Sparwood when he passed away on Aug. 18, 1996. Miller was remembered as a strong advocate of Sparwood and mining by civic politicians, former politicians, and members of local mines on May 10. “Toto Miller did a lot for mining in this area,” said Chris Nand, representing the United Steel Workers Association at a dedication for the town’s new brick archway. The archway, built from bricks of homes at the former coal mining towns of Michel and Natal located east of Sparwood, commemorates the role of mining in the region. And while union representatives and mine management commented among themselves how pleased they were with the archway which beckons tourists and locals into the community, the talk naturally centred on Miller. “He went out of his way to help the mines of the valley,” Nand continued. “He was a super guy.” From the official opening and ribbon slicing, the crowd of 50 or more trekked over to the brick courtyard in front of the municipal hall. A plaque dedicated to Miller was unveiled by his father, Otto, and daughter Shelley. “I wish I had somebody like him living in the community where I lived,” admitted Terry Adams. Adams was the project manager for ANG’s
proposed wood waste cogeneration plant near Elko in ‘94. The estimated $90 million project had Miller’s complete support. Miller also battled provincial and federal politicians when Fording Coal proposed a coal fired generating plant for the region in 1990. It was a visit with a child in the park, Adams recalled, that drove Miller to push for any project or company which would make Sparwood a thriving community. Due to a bleak job market, the child told Miller their family would be moving from Sparwood. “For himself, he asked for nothing. For the people of Sparwood, he asked for everything,” she said. Anne Edwards, who was the region’s MLA during Miller’s tenure, recalled how much of her time was occupied with Sparwood. Bev Bellina, Sparwood Councilor, read a statement Otto Miller had made about his son: “His family took his ashes, but his heart he left in Sparwood.” “He really loved this town and everybody in it,” said Shelley Miller, visiting from Surrey. “I think he’d be really honored.” AT A GLANCE Who Was Toto Miller Toto Miller, who was just 52 years old when he died from a heart attack in 1996, was first elected mayor of Sparwood in 1983. Miller moved to the community in 1977 as a school teacher from Merritt. He served on the
District’s Council for two and a half years before running for mayor. He was defeated in the 1986 civic elections, but made a return to the mayor’s office in 1988. But the municipal office was just his “official” office, said Councilor Bev Bellina, whose late husband Gord served on Council with Miller. The colourful mayor could often be found at his “unofficial” office at the Hot Spot Restaurant or his business, Toto’s Place, both located in the Greenwood Mall. Miller, born Feb. 3, 1944 in Rennes, France, was no stranger to The Fernie Free Press. During his campaign to support Fording Coal’s coal fired power plant in 1990, Miller’s name often appeared in front page stories. He frequently wondered why the ruling Socred Party failed to support the project. And when the Sparwood mayor wasn’t being quoted in news stories, his lengthy letters frequently filled half the editorial page. There were many words used to describe Miller at the plaque unveiling in Sparwood May 10. Nobody denied Miller could stir up controversy. Sometimes he created controversy, they said. But none of the people who showed up to remember the former civic politician would argue with Miller’s own words, taken from a letter to the newspaper on Oct. 21, 1990: “I do love my constituents and my region.”
Sparwood marks the passing of long serving CAO, Loretta Montemurro All flags were lowered to half-mast on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, to mark the passing of former Clerk/Administrator, Loretta Montemurro, who served the community for 35 years, from 19611996. Mayor and Council and all District staff extend their sincere condolences to Loretta’s family and friends for their loss. Mayor Lois Halko stated, “Loretta is a legend in our community with her 35 years of continuous service. Amongst many things, she will be remembered for her work in the Natal - Michel Urban Renewal Program. That project took about a decade to complete during the 1960’s and culminated with the creation of the District of Sparwood. She was one of few females in a male dominated profession during that time; a lady whose strong opinions helped through many difficult negotiations. Loretta loved Sparwood and I am so pleased that we had the opportunity to honour her by presenting her with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal at our Awards Banquet in December, 2012.” Last summer a university professor from the City of Calgary, Tom Langford, interviewed Loretta for a publication on the urban renewal project and mining history of the Elk Valley and Crowsnest Pass. The following is an excerpt from those interviews. Loretta grew up in an area of 7 or 8 homes on coal company land beside the Michel Creek. Loretta’s family was flooded out in 1948. Then after the 1952 flood they moved up the mountain slope to Michel Creek Road and settled again on leased coal company land. She lived there for most of her adult life. “It was beautiful living out there, especially in the summer,” she said. “I would have never given it up if I could have
handled it.” Eventually living up the mountain slope became too much work for her, especially with all of the snow. This is why she eventually sold the family home and moved down into the valley during her retirement years. She left school in Grade 11, went to work in the bank, and then travelled with friends to Europe for 4 months. At the time they were the youngest people travelling that they ran into. She then moved to Pincher Creek, working part-time in the hospital. At that time she had to get money from her mother to supplement her meagre wages. Loretta began her career in Local Government as the Clerk for the Village of Natal. She was working in a part-time position at a hospital in Pincher Creek “and this position came up in Natal; and Natal at that time had about 800 people, a small village, and it was basically two streets straddling the highway, and coal used to be hauled right down that highway from one end to the other. Anyway, I applied and eventually got the job on the condition that I took a four-year correspondence course. UBC had a course out at that time, which wasn’t specific for administration – but it was economics, finance, treasury and administration to a small scale…. I’d never been to a Council meeting, I didn’t know anything about the job. But they had a lot of patience with me, the Council was pretty good at that time.” She got the Village of Natal clerk job in 1961, taking over from Jack Turner. It was a part-time clerk job but went to full-time later when she took on extra jobs like the issuing of motor vehicle licenses. After the District of Sparwood was formed in 1966, she became its first clerk, with the job title eventually becoming chief administrative officer. She worked for the District of Sparwood
until her retirement in 1996. When the municipality first moved into the District of Sparwood office, the staff was just her and two administrative assistants. “To tell you the truth I don’t know what all of these people do now. Maybe things have changed, maybe they have more responsibilities, I don’t know. Things are a lot different than when I worked. I had my hands on everything. I believed in giving out work, in delegating, but always in control.” She particularly enjoyed managing the development of land in Sparwood and then would sell the lots. “I did it all.” She liked when the District developed its own land because “we made money off of it…. The taxpayers got the benefit of that. That’s what I thought was the right thing to do…. We got millions of dollars, that’s where it came from.” Outside of work she was passionate about international travel. During her vacations she took many trips to Europe, to South America, to the South Pacific, China and Israel. She was disappointed that her health problems during her retirement years prevented her from continuing her international travels.
Loretta Montemurro
THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Sparwood Now
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C16 THE FREE PRESS, MAY 5, 2016
Sparwood Celebrating 50 Years
Sparwood Now