CENOTAPH COMMOTION Any disruption Cenotaph Park construction is causing local businesses will not be compensated financially by the District of Invermere. Photo by Dan Walton
By Greg Amos
Special to The Pioneer
Council is denying a request for compensation from one Invermere business property owner who will be affected by this falls re-development of Cenotaph Park, the triangle-shaped park found at the intersection of 12th Street and 7th Avenue in downtown Invermere.
After receiving the letter from Pierre Delesalle, the landlord of the Consign It Store and the Rockies Dollar Shop, and landlord and owner of the Canterbury Inn, council unanimously agreed to respond and explain compensation would not be given. The decision came after the District of Invermere consulted its legal team about the situation.
If you do open that door, a lot of people will come knocking, noted Councillor Justin Atterbury. Mayor Taft noted the project has been delayed to avoid impacting the peak July and August tourist season, and pointed out the Station Pub had to contend with a similar road construction impact last summer.
Though parking on that side of the street will be closed during construction, the sidewalk will remain open, said chief administrative officer Chris Prosser at the meeting.
It took me two years to find tenants for that property, and only then after having to split the space in two and offer substantially reduced lease rates, wrote Mr. Delesalle in his letter. I hate to think how long it would take to get them leased again.
