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2012 G u i d e
Discovering Sparwood
Golf Sparwood Maps
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J E Np aNr wA ood
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What’s in your backyard Where to Camp
What you need to know about Sparwood
What’s inside the guide!
4........................Sparwood at a glance 5.....................What’s in your backyard 6...............................Where the water is 8......5 Great reasons Jenna loves Sparwood 10......................Discovering Sparwood 12...................................Golf Sparwood 13...............Camping out in Sparwood 15........Calendar of Events-Map-Index THE FREE PRESS
The Sparwood Guide is published Once a year by: SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Jenna Jensen The Free Press, 342 2nd Ave, ART DIRECTOR: Colin Lock A Division of Black Press PHOTOGRAPHY: Jenna Jensen / Pat Allardyce Box 2350, Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0 WRITERS: Jenna Jensen Phone: 250-423-4666 Fax: 250-423-3110 PUBLISHER: Dave Hamilton All content is Copyright 2011/12 and may not be reproduced without prior approval of the publisher.
WE REPAIR ANYTHING THAT ROLLS, CRAWLS OR JUST SITS AND SWINGS.
Home of the Elk Valleys Most Experienced Mechanics
Free pickup and delivery in the Elk Valley
PERSONAL AUTOMOTIVE, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL REPAIR SERVICES
Sparwood 743 Douglas Fir Road.250. 425.6535 or Elkford 1 Front Street.250. 865.4622 Sparwood Guide - www.thefreepress.ca
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Population: 4,200 Elevation: 1,140m Incorporated: 1966 Schools: Frank J Mitchell Elementary School (K-6) and Sparwood Secondary School (7-12)
Claim To Fame: The Big Green Truck Behind The Name: Trees selected for harvest in the area were used for spars on ships. A railway stop to collect the logs onto railway cars was known as Sparwood, even before a dream of the town was born.
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What’s your
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Sparwood rests in a Valley where nature is at it’s best. With many locations to relax next to a cool river, explore some fishing holes, or take a dip in a lake Sparwood will be the water lover’s outdoor playground. • Elk River & Michel CreekFish are in abundance in the Elk River and Michel Creek in Sparwood. Cast a line below the walking bridge located on Matevic Road or explore many more great fishing spots down the edges of these clean, cool rivers and creeks. Let your legs take you to discover your next adventure.
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• Grave LakeA popular location with the locals Grave Lake is the perfect spot for those who like cold mountain water to take a dip on a hot day. The lake is perfect for fishing or to dip your feet in off the dock. Please remember: Wildlife is abundant, so be aware and use precautions. Always tell someone where you are going and a map & GPS are recommended. Wherever your travels in Sparwood bring you, leave nothing behind but your footprints. Larry Cerny with a bull trout, that he caught and released in the Elk River.
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113 Red Cedar Dr Sparwood, BC - (250) 425-6489
Sparwood Dental Clinic EMERGENCY SERVICE
Home of the burger family Delicious
Never Goes Out Of Style
FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY
IMPLANTS & TEETH REPLACEMENT
139 Centennial Square Box 1330 Sparwood, BC 250.425.7081 1.877.325.7081 sparwood_dental@telus.net www.sparwooddental.com
3-131 Aspen, Sparwood (250) 425-0345 Sparwood Guide - www.thefreepress.ca
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THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT
The Sparwood Recreation Department is not only a hub of continuous educational programs and numerous well being and fitness classes, it is so much more than that. It is a place to relax in the hot tub, unwind in the sauna, watch your children learn to swim, play morning volleyball with the girls, learn to rock climb, join the gym or enroll in almost any group, class or program you can dream of. People of any age can find something specifically suited to them. Toddlers can play in the warm, shallow pool made just for them, kids can turn into monkeys at the pool jungle gym or showcase their creativity with one of the art programs held through the
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year, teens can enjoy some evening hours in the pool, rock wall or wallyball courts when they are open specifically for them during pre teen nights, adults can choose a mild or extreme fitness class and take the family for a dip in the pool and several programs are made just for seniors, the most popular being the water fitness classes. Adjacent to the pool is an arena and curling rink always filled with residents enjoying their sport. The staff at the Recreation Department are unsurpassed in their friendliness and knowledge of the Rec Center and Sparwood which always makes time spent there much more enjoyable. Feel hungry after enjoying all that exercise, stop by Shali’s Diner and Concession located inside the Recreation Department where you can always be sure to grab a quick lunch, snack or ice cream. With so much to do at the Sparwood Recreation Department, what’s not to love?
THE SPARWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY The Sparwood Public Library is my little piece of peace. With sunshine always filtering through the windows, and many comfy quiet corners, I head to the library to escape the busy outside world and curl up with a good book or magazine. Aside from reading, the
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Library also has many programs and courses for kids and adults alike. Sections of the library are dedicated to cater to kids, teens, and adults and computers and high speed internet are always available for those who come to the library to work.
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THE HIGH ROCKS BRIDGE Walking distance to the river’s edge. The High Rocks Bridge is popular due to its close and easy to get to location but most of all the stunning beauty you are greeted with as you walk down the steps to the the edge of the river. Families can find a cool oasis during the summer heat and fishers can reel in numerous fish from the walking bridge
area. In the winter this location offers a snowy scene that is priceless. No, matter what the season is the High Rocks Bridge is one of my favourite things.
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COAL MINER DAYS I could go on for pages about what makes Sparwood’s Coal Miner Days one of my favourite things, but come out for one, and you will see for yourself. Coal Miner Days kicks off with a beautiful fireworks show and the weekend is always jam packed with something for everyone to enjoy. Coal Miner Days is a celebration of our community, our past, the present and the future.
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THE REMARKABLE BEAUTY Sparwood is very well known to be a community that is always well kept, and that can be seen no matter where your visit takes you. Residents of Sparwood take pride in their community and this allows the true Sparwood to shine through. Our community is a place where residents work as hard as they play and visitors come to enjoy peace, quiet, and of course the boundless backcountry which grants some of the best hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling and ATV’ing that can be found.
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MICHEL, NATAL AND MIDDLETOWN
Though no visual sign of these three small towns are left, they must never be forgotten as Michel, Natal and Middletown are how Sparwood really began. People from around the world travelled to this area hearing of the prospect of a coal boom and plenty of jobs. Homes, families and futures began in these newly established villages but over time they became run down and covered in coal. Sparwood, upwind of the bellowing coal dust was first used to house mine bosses, but after the government declared that the homes in Michel, Natal and Middletown were unsightly and must be torn down, many others relocated to Sparwood. Through many ups and downs the mining industry continued to grow and to this day is Sparwood’s main industry. Some longtime locals can still be found recalling their days and sharing stories of living in Michel, Natal or Middletown.
COAL MINER DAYS JUNE 8-10 Coal Miner Days is Sparwood biggest, annual community celebration drawing residents and visitors to join in a weekend filled with fun and activities. With fireworks, a parade, kids festival, slo-pitch tournament, demolition derby, soapbox derby, street market, games, and so much more, Coal Miner Days is always jam packed with entertainment for everyone. Coal Miner Days will take place on June 8th-10th, 2012.
MINING ARTIFACT TOUR & MURALS
Sparwood is rich in mining history. Through the self-guided tour, and a stroll through Sparwood there is a lot to see and learn about the early days of Sparwood. Several artifacts and educational displays can be found scattered strategically throughout the heart of Sparwood, where families and friends can enjoy the outdoors and experience this unique, blast through the past. While on the tour, or from almost anywhere in town, your eyes will probably be drawn to a mural painted on the side of a building. These murals depict people or scenes also significant in the history of Sparwood.
SPARWOOD’S SISTER CITY IN JAPAN
Kamisunagawa is Sparwood’s sister city located in Japan. The sister city agreement aimed to strive for economical, industrial and cultural exchange. The well endorsed friendship and understanding agreement was signed on September 23rd, 1980 by Sparwood’s former Mayor Frank Fairclough. Many artifacts and information on Kamisunagawa can be found at the District of Sparwood’s Planning and Development Office.
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Discovering Sparwood
THE BIG GREEN TRUCK The Terex Titan is located in the heart of Sparwood and is the key attraction of the community. The truck is one of the largest trucks in the world, and standing beside it one cannot help but be astonished at its staggering size. The Titan was built in London, Ontario in 1973 and began its service at the Kaiser Steel iron mine in 1975 and after that was sent by train to its current home in Sparwood where it consistently hauled loads of earth exceeding 350 tonnes. In 1993 the Terex Titan retired and now sits as a public monument.
Titan Facts:
Two greyhound busses and two pickup trucks can fit in the box of the Titan, its height with the box down is 6.88m and with the box raised is 17.07m, it is 20.9m long and weighs 260 tonnes, it has a horsepower of 3,300! Sparwood Guide - www.thefreepress.ca
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Golf Sparwood
At The Sparwood Golf Club
Sparwood Golf Club is B.C.’s eastern most golf course and a key attraction in the community. The course is always perfectly manicured and set in a backdrop of beautiful mountain scenery. Sparwood Golf Course will offer hours of challenging fun for all experience levels. The fairways are surrounded by tall pine and spruce forests and the signature hole # 7, par 3 offers an elevated tee, well bunkered green and a putting surface shaped with undulation from front to back. At the Clubhouse you will find a Lounge Bar with beverages, snacks and your choice of indoor or outdoor patio seating. The Pro Shop at the
course houses a shopping experience for every golfer to enjoy with high quality clothing, gear and gifts. With numerous events and challenges throughout the year the Sparwood Golf Club will bring golf enthusiasts many challenges or simply, a relaxing day in the mountains. For those who want even more of a workout - a well defined 4.5 km trail system winds around the course presenting bikers, hikers and runners with even more of the beauty that borders the course. For more information please call 250.425.2612 or visit www.sparwoodgolf.com
The Sparwood Golf Club Offers: • • • • •
9 holes Rentals Pro shop Practice facility and driving range Lessons
D IS TR I C T O F SPA RWO O D Box 520, 136 Spruce Avenue, Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0 Phone: 250.425.6271 | Fax: 250.425.7277 Email: sparwood@sparwood.ca
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Golf carts Lounge bar Great rates Great mountain views Great golf
t u O g n Campiin Sparwood’s campground’s name is a true reflection of its location. Mountain Shadows Campground offers visitors an authentic camping experience while still being only minutes from Sparwood’s town center. At Mountain Shadows Campground you will find over sixty serviced sites, internet at the office, water, power and some sites with sewer, a sani-dump, hot showers in a heated build-
ing, firewood, a play ground and convenient pull through sites. As well, steps away from the campsite is a walking trail to the Sparwood Golf Course. Mountain Shadows is open from May long weekend to Labour Day or longer. Reservations are recommended. To book a reservation call 250.425.7815. Located off Highway 3.
AIN SHADO T N
WS.ca
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Full service tent/RV site in Sparwood, BC 606 Sparwood Drive - East side of Hwy 3 near Kal Tire stay@mountainshadows.ca 250-425-7815 www.mountainshadows.ca
Campground
Come visit us nestled in the embrace of the Rocky Mountains and create memories to last a lifetime . Sparwood Guide - www.thefreepress.ca
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Sparwood Map
A weekly newspaper serving Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford and the South Country since 1898. Published every Thursday and can be viewed online at www.thefreepress.ca.
The Free Press
l a o
r Days R e n i M o k! Fernie: 250.423.7719 Sparwood: 250.425.7772
Our business is built on a foundation of quality concrete & dependable service!
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John Pundyk is one of the leading realtors in southern Alberta. He has been selling real estate in the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding areas for the past ten years.
GPI Chartered Accountants The Elk Valley’s Chartered Accountants specializing in income tax reduction strategies for business and individuals as well as other business accounting needs.
We are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles, minutes from downtown Sparwood.
The Elk Valley’s most experienced mechanics. For all of your personal automotive, commercial and industrial repair needs.
Sparwood Dental
Serving a delicious combination of great-tasting burgers, onion rings and frosted mugs of famous A&W Root Beer and much more!
A&W
Specializing in unique, on location photo shoots for singles, couples, families, and businesses. Serving Mountain Shadows Campground the Elk Valley and area. A tenting and RV/trailer site situated near Highway #3 and nestled in a cozy District of Sparwood forested setting just minutes from Sparwood, BC is yours and mine. We may be called downtown Sparwood. ‘that town with the big green truck’ or we might be that community in the beautiful Rocky MounMountain Mechanical tains, right on BC’s border.
Elk Valley Photography
Teck is the largest employer in the Elk Valley with over 3,300 employees and 5 mines including Coal Mountain, Elkview, Fording River, Greenhills and Line Creek
John Pundyk
Advertisers Index
Teck
January 1-New Year’s Day April 22nd to 28th-Arts & Culture Week June 8th to 11th-Coal Miner Days July1st-Canada Day October 7th to 13th-Fire Prevention Week November 11th-Remembrance Day December-Moonlight Madness Craft Sale
Calendar of Events
Their first concrete pour was at the top of a new lift at Fernie Alpine Resort. Since then, Garrett Ready Mix has supplied concrete for two more ski lifts, hotels, lodges, and other residential and commercial projects supporting the influx of workers and tourists.
Garrett Ready Mix
Overwaitea Foods has been serving and supporting BC communities for over 95 years. We’re BC’s very own food people – your very own food people, since 1915.
Overwaitea Sparwood
At Teck, sustainability is a core value. As we mark our tenth year of reporting on our sustainability practices, every goal we set in the future builds on our stewardship of the earth yesterday and today. Download our 2010 Sustainability Review: www.teck.com/sustainability.