In a presentation to the District of Invermere council Staff Sgt. Marko Shehovac of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police gave a year-end report to councillors regarding 2010 in the Columbia Valley. Shehovac said that calls for Invermere were down by almost 100 from 2009. This was a pattern of decline seen in the Villages of Radium Hot Springs and Canal Flats as well. Going into 2011 the detachment has two top priorities which have been brought up during many meetings with groups in the area and the detachment. Both drug and alcohol abuse and visibility are key areas for the detachment. In a handout to those in attendance the RCMP say they have had some recent success in regard to their focus on prolific offenders in the area.

Shehovac also felt it was important to thank the many groups who have worked with the detachment.

“The detachment cannot have success in keeping this community safe without our valuable volunteers,” Shehovac said.

A question of height was brought up in regard to a new building which could be going up on the corner of Westside Park Drive and 13th Avenue.

A request has been brought forward to council to permit The Rocky Mountain Land Company Ltd. to proceed with the development of a two story structure with a maximum height of 9.4 metres on their C-3 neighbourhood commercial site at 2144 – 13th Avenue. The building proposed consists of commercial development on the ground level and six apartment style residential housing units on the second story.

Council received a couple of letters from people in the vincity that pointed out some concerns about noise and traffic issues along with one letter questioning how the height would affect the visibility of the mountains in the area.

Developer Barry Brown-John was on hand and answered questions about the development for council who voted to allow the height amendment for the structure.

There was also an appointment made to the library board as Peter McIsaac was added to the board for a one year term.