50 years ago (1969):
Local MLA James Chabot officially opened the first aquameet at the Radium Hot Springs aquacourt. Calgary’s Don Sinclair helped organize the meet’s 40 swimming events, which drew participants from Vancouver, Calgary, Kimberley, Radium and Invermere. Kootenay East MP James Byrne was on hand to give out the first awards of the competition, in the early afternoon. A dance was to cap of the day’s joyful fesitivities.
45 years ago (1969):
The Windermere Valley Ski Club was gearing up for its first general meeting. The club planned its first meeting to involve Dieter Kindl to show his latest helicopter ski film and were planning a Nancy Greene League for their little skiers and coaches for the racing team.
40 years ago (1974):
David Thompson Secondary School hosted two badminton clinics coached by leading Canadian professionals such as Vic Conley, who competed both nationally at the 1972 Canada Winter Games winning bronze and internationally at the 1972 Thomas Cup Match against Peru, along with local, Greg Paul, two-year representative of B.C. at the Canadian National Championships.
30 years ago (1984):
Invermere’s very own Don Rozell was the lucky winner of Lotto 6-49 worth $2,655,251.90, the valley’s first two million dollar ticket winner. The ticket was purchased from Dave’s Book Bar, where he had bought five tickets every week since Christmas. His plans with the money? Don said that he was going for “a long vacation in a hot climate” and intended to purchase a house in Invermere when he returns.
20 years ago (1994):
Banff Centre for the Arts implemented an outreach program to a number of communities in both Alberta and British Columbia, Invermere included, to expand musical talent. A collection of internationally acclaimed musicians paid four visits to our community to help with the development of the communities potential musical talent.
15 years ago (1999):
Larissa Dutcher, Michelle Williams and Jo Pandachuck posed all prettied up and primed for the deals at the Garden Market IGA’s Midnight Madness. The ladies were all dolled up and ready to enjoys the nights music and festivities to countdown the millennium.
10 years ago (2004):
Lieut. Chris Sanders was killed in an explosion while aboard the Chicoutimi, one of the four submarines leased from the British government for $750 million in 1998. Questions were brought up about the outfitting of proper gear and technology to Canadian troops.