10 years ago (2003): Canal Flats residents voted to incorporate into an official village municipality, with more than 70 per cent in favour of the move. “We look forward to working with the people of Canal Flats on the transition to village status,” said Regional District of East Kootenay chief adminstrative officer Lee-Ann Crane. A total of 357 of 550 eligible voters cast ballots, a turnout that pleased organizers. “Estimated voter turnout is 65 percent which is really good compared with normal voter turnout of about 20 to 25 percent,” said Ms. Crane. The would-be village still needed approval from the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services to officially incorporate. The formal creation of the village was expected to occur in June 2004.
20 years ago (1993): Former councillor Chuck Blanchard was unofficially declared mayor in the Invermere municipal election (winning by a wide margin), but the exact composition of the council was in suspense and a recount was scheduled after two candidates earned an equal number of votes for the fourth and final council spot. The preliminary result of the of the poll had Amanda Hubbard, Fred Thode-Hamilton and Jim Le Bourdais sitting on council with Janice Hamilton and Mark Shmigelsky tied for the final spot. If after a recount a tie still existed, it was to be broken by drawing lots, according to chief election officer Bill Lindsay. “We’ll pull their names out of a hat or something,” said Mr. Lindsay. Voter turnout was low at 484. “I think we’ll have a good council,” said Mr. Lindsay. He attributed the lower-than-normal voter turnout to vote fatigue following a recent federal election.
30 years ago (1983): Panorama Ski Hill ushered in a new era when it began using its brand-new snow making system. It was the first time the hill had ever used artificial snowmaking and had installed the system amid much anticipation in late August. The system was touted as one of the most extensive in the world and was projected to greatly extend the ski season at the hill, making it last from late November until early May. Fairmont Ski Hill was also busy snowmaking, using a system it had installed several years previously.
40 years ago (1973): MLA James Chabot was the guest speaker at the Windermere District Chamber of Commerce meeting at Radium Hot Springs Lodge. The meeting drew at crowd of 60. Mr. Chabot discussed the Farm Income Assurance Act, the Transportation and Communication Act, the new Labour Code and the land freeze and amendment to the Assessment Equalization Tax Act.
50 years ago (1963): Highway construction in the Windermere District was moving forward rapidly, according to a repot of work underway by MLA James Chabot. United Contractors was awarded the contract for the Radium mile-hill, the Sinclair Creek fill and the renewal and the upgrades of the improvement of the highway from the junction to the park gate. The contractors were hard at work and were perparing to keep at constructio right through the entire winter.