By Steve Hubrecht
The Invermere Business Committee (IBC) is hoping to set up a pedestrian-only area in downtown Invermere again this summer.
A half-block stretch of 12th Street near the cenotaph plaza and post office was closed to vehicles from mid-June to early September, and picnic tables with umbrellas, wooden lounge chairs, flower beds, a food truck, sidewalk chalk and lawn games added.
The move followed more than a decade of occasional talk about a pedestrian-only main street. That talk always prompted a swift outcry from main street business owners fearful of losing customer parking spots and seeing a subsequent drop in business.
The IBC proposed closing part of 12th Street instead as a compromise. (The closure spot is next to main street but does not actually block it.)
Although a few valley residents wrote letters of opposition before last summer’s closure, worried about impeded access to the post office, in the end the move proved popular with a wide array of local business owners, with local municipal officials, with visitors and with local residents.
During a recent Invermere committee of the whole meeting, the IBC asked for a longer timeframe for the closure; from mid-May to the end of September.
IBC member Sarah Eastick wrote that “in September folks were out enjoying the picnic tables and it gave a signal that it was still summer and we are open for business.”
Eastick outlined the IBC would like to have music in the area this year.
“We did have an attempt (at music) last year but it did not work. We would like to continue working on that to add to the great ambience the chairs, tables, and umbrellas provided.”
Part of 12th Street in downtown Invermere was closed to create a pedestrian-only space last summer. Organizers hope to do so again this summer. Above are visitors Gerry and Margot Hilman who love the idea.
Gerry and Margot Hilman love the idea of a closed-off pedestrian area in downtown Invermere.
PHOTO STEVE HUBRECHT
