By Steve Hubrecht
[email protected]

The annual report from the district of Invermere’s department of leisure services shows that 2020 was certainly a unique year, but one in which the district did its best to adapt to the pandemic and, where possible, hold socially distanced events.

“Events were cancelled but new ones were created that allowed people to get together at a safe distance. 2020 was the year that was constantly changing, and we all continue to adapt to these circumstances,” wrote Invermere leisure services manager Cortney Pitts. 

The pandemic and the cancelling of events last year came just as the use of the three-year-old Columbia Valley Centre by the public was on the uptick, enough of an uptick that the district had bought new equipment for the benefit of the various community groups using the centre.

“The Columbia Valley Centre had seen significant increase in usage within the last year with many evenings and weekends being fully booked with events and activities. A variety of user groups were also utilizing the hall during the weekday,” wrote Pitts. “New equipment was purchased for the Columbia Valley Centre, which included a portable stage, piping and draping and, most recently, purchased furniture for the rooftop patio.”  

The first two and half months of the year, prior to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Columbia Valley, proceeded much as they usually do, with the district successfully hosting most of its winter events, such as the annual Snowflake Festival in January and Coffee Fest in early March, and even adding some new ones, including the Whiteway Winter Challenge in January, Family Fun Day in February and a James and Jamesy in the Dark performance in early March.

The Snowflake festival had an “incredible turnout,” wrote Pitts. The Whiteway Winter Challenge saw more than 50 people ski, skate or run their way around a 12-kilometre circuit on Lake Windermere. Family Fun Day was held at the Columbia Valley Centre for free. It included giant games, giant inflatables, an obstacle course, hot potatoes, hose hockey, inflatable ski balls, sumo suits, arcade games, face painting and much more. Turnout for Fun Day impressed Pitts, who said at times it was “organized chaos, with children and parents in every part of the hall.” James and Jamesy in the Dark was the first professional theatre performance in the Columbia Valley Centre and drew 70 people to the unique act, which was a blend of performance art and comedy. The 2020 Invermere Coffee Fest was the seventh edition of the annual event.

In spring, COVID-19 hit, forcing the cancellation of many events for the rest of 2020, including the Easter egg hunt, Valley Appreciation Day, Mountain Al Fresco Dinner in White, Movies in the Mountains, downtown trick or treating, Oktoberfest, Light Up and the Santa Claus Parade. Confirmed bookings at the Columbia Valley Centre that had to be cancelled included Fire Vixen Puppy Love, a Red Dirt Skinner concert, three weddings, the annual Big Book sale, the 49th annual Firefighters’ Ball, the Winter Wonderland Market, the 7th annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival, the Magic of Christmas Craft Fair, and comedian Mike Delmont, among others. Recreation programs at the Columbia Valley Centre that could no longer run at the centre included Invermere judo, Zumba, mom-and-tot fitness and play, baton twirling and air rifles.

“After local parks, amenities and facilities were closed in late March due to COVID-19, leisure services became part of an online outdoor spaces group with other parks and recreation staff in the East Kootenay. This group discussed various topics such as the statutes of opening plans for skateparks, washrooms, ball diamonds, spray/splash parks, and other areas. We discussed both challenges and opportunities,” wrote Pitts.

The department also facilitated the start of the community ambassador program, which was designed to help encourage physical distancing and general safety guidelines while promoting the safe use and enjoyment of local amenities and programs. “This program was quite well received from both our residents and visitors,” wrote Pitts.

The leisure services department also helped with communication and event logistics on projects including housing needs, the Athalmer land purchase, the Shuswap-district of Invermere Friendship Agreement, and efforts jointly run along with Columbia Valley economic development officer Ryan Watmough, the College of the Rockies and the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy to draft a project proposal to use the Columbia Valley Centre as a student hub where post-secondary students could come to study.

Pitts was able to develop several new socially distanced events that follow pandemic protocols through the summer and fall, including a virtual dance party in July, a ‘backward’ parade/decorating contest for Canada Day, drive-in Banger Bingo in August, drive-around Oktoberfest music in September, the Great Scarecrow competition and tour in October, a live-stream of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Invermere, a shop-local and tree decorating campaign in late November, and a tour of the town by Santa in December.

The virtual dance party brought listeners across the Columbia Valley together digitally, listening to music, making requests and participating in contests. The Canada Day decorating contest drew 27 participants. The drive-in Banger Bingo had 50 cars and mixed tailgates, car horns, 1980s music and, of course, bingo. The Great Scarecrow competition had 55 entrants (all of which Pitts described as “amazing”). The drive-around Oktoberfest music featured local bands playing ‘oom-pah’ music as they made their way around Invermere on a travelling stage. The Santa tour saw the big guy in red along with an elf make their way through town on the same travelling stage.