Community spirit keeps Field thriving

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Posted: November 5, 2025

Building connection and belonging in the heart of Yoho

“Field is so extraordinarily beautiful—you never get over it,” says Katrina Froese, Chair of the Field Recreation Advisory Association (FRAA) “Even with its challenges, I feel lucky to live here.”

The all-volunteer FRAA board keeps the social and recreational heart of Field beating year-round. Like many small, unincorporated communities in the Basin, Field relies on volunteers like Katrina and her board to nurture connection and belonging.

But Field is unique: it sits within Yoho National Park, where all land, facilities and infrastructure are managed by Parks Canada. That means even simple community projects come with extra steps.

“Because Field sits on federal land, every project means layers of red tape,” said Katrina. “Even building a simple playground can take years of coordination.”

With support from the Trust, the Field community gym has seen a revitalization with new equipment including a treadmill, weights and rowing machine, providing more opportunities for residents to get active while staying local.

Formed in 1985, FRAA owns and operates a community centre and a seasonal rink/court, and leases the gymnasium in the former Field Elementary School that is now a Parks Canada administrative building. For the community’s 150 year-round residents, these spaces are at the heart of local life.

The community centre hosts events, a children’s playroom and weekly playgroups. Outside, volunteers maintain a multi-use court that becomes a skating rink each winter, home to pick-up hockey games and a popular January tournament.

While Field offers world-class outdoor recreation, many residents wanted more indoor options, especially through long winters.

“We have a mix of retired people and young families,” said Katrina. “Some don’t drive, and winter roads can be tough. Seasonal workers who come for Parks Canada or hospitality and tourism-related jobs can’t always get to Golden. If you don’t ski or drive, what can you do for your well-being? We knew we needed to expand our gym.”

As part of the Trust’s work with the Field Recreation Advisory Association, the Kids Room at the Field Community Centre has seen the addition of new educational and sensory-friendly toys to create a more inclusive and welcoming space for families.

Once little more than a few weights and a ping-pong table, the community gym has been transformed with support from Columbia Basin Trust. New equipment, including a treadmill, Stairmaster, rowing machine, additional benches and a functional trainer, has helped attract new members and generate revenue to sustain FRAA operations.

“The equipment came in this spring and the response was incredible,” said Katrina. “Before we had 10 memberships; now we have 30 to 40 year-round, and up to 60 in summer when seasonal staff are here. Field has so little for residents, and this adds so much back into our community.”

Partnership in action

The Trust also helped fund new educational and sensory toys for the children’s playroom and a snowblade to maintain the community rink.

“Each improvement, whether it’s gym equipment, toys for families or the new snowplow blade, means a lot,” said Katrina. “It can be difficult living here with so few services, so being able to create shared spaces for health and connection is such a gift.”

Located behind the Field Community Centre, the community rink is a popular and well-loved activity hub. As part of their work with the Field Recreation Advisory Association, a new snowblade funded by the Trust will help keep the rink clear this winter for weekend games and annual tournaments.

The partnership began when a Trust staff member from Golden visited after hearing about Field’s annual “Yoho Blow” event. “She saw that we were underserved and wanted to support what we were already working on,” says Katrina.

Today, the Trust’s five Community Liaisons work directly with communities to understand local challenges and support projects that enhance well-being. For Field, that relationship has been invaluable.

With recent projects complete, FRAA is now turning to its next major initiative: renovating the historic St. Joseph Church as a community space for arts, culture and gatherings—and as a new revenue source.

For Katrina, these efforts go far beyond the facilities themselves. “Community spaces like our centre, rink and gym mean everything to Field,” said Katrina. “We rely on ourselves to get things done. By understanding what we need and what we are striving to achieve and supporting us in those efforts, the Trust has been tremendous for us.”

Lead image: Katrina Froese (centre) is Chair of the Field Recreation Advisory Association. The all-volunteer organization has been working with the Trust to grow activity and social gathering opportunities for their community. Columbia Basin Trust photos

Columbia Basin Trust