By Steve Hubrecht
[email protected]

Drainage problems north of Pothole Park often create havoc after big rainfall

Invermere council and staff have agreed to help deal with drainage problems that regularly result in flooding in the block of commercial buildings immediately to the north of Pothole Park.

Property owner Jim LeBourdais was at a recent Invermere council meeting to discuss the matter, and noted that ongoing weather-related flooding often occurs behind 503 7th Avenue, right in front of the Back Door Wine Cellar, Oneberri Innovations and Omatt Enterprises. 

LeBourdais explained that runoff flows from the west, off the site, and quickly overwhelms the drainage system that exists, writing that “the ‘band-aid solutions’ put forward have all failed.” He was quick to commend district staff for coming to the scene very quickly once called, but pointed out that by that point it is often too late to avoid water coming into the building.

When flooding does happen it is expensive for everybody involved — both LeBourdais and his tenant businesses. “We can’t buy flood insurance for anything less than a $10,000 deductible because they (the insurance companies) know the history of the area and of that building,” added LeBourdais.

The hailstorm last July resulted in particularly bad damage to the building (LeBourdais termed it “a horror show”), but even smaller, more normal rainstorms create big issues, he said.

“There’s been no real effort to solve the problem in a meaningful way. I would like something done. It is your water (overflowing from the drainage system),” said LeBourdais. “I know the district is busy, and there are a lot of things going on…but I don’t think it would take a lot of time to fix this…I get questions from my tenants constantly.”

Invermere council members were very quick to agree that flooding is a problem and that something needed to be done. Council gave direction to staff to formally investigate the problem and create a report on potential solutions.

Councillor Gerry Taft noted that the raised gravel parking lot to the west of the commercial block is technically municipal property, and that putting it under lease may be one way to raise funds to pay to fix the drainage issues.