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Council updated on Heritage Panel Project
Kimberley City Council Report
By Nowell Berg
On January 12, City of Kimberley council held its regular bi-monthly meeting. The first for 2026.
Councillors Sue Cairns, Kevin Dunnebacke, Diana Fox, Woody Maguire, Jason McBain and Sandra Roberts were present along with Mayor Don McCormick.
An archive of the meeting can be viewed on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel. Watch it here.
Kimberley District Heritage Society
Carol Fergus and Marie Stang presented an update on where the Kimberley District Heritage Society is at regarding Interpretive Heritage Panel Project (IHPP).
Fergus said, “We wanted to launch this project into our community because of the rich heritage that we have and continues to grow. It’s important to remember and celebrate the foundations in Kimberley so that it is not lost.”
Fergus added that “the story-tellers are diminishing in Kimberley.” By that she meant the people who were active in the community in the early 1900s are no longer around “to tell the stories.”
The wealth of knowledge in the museum is “totally amazing.” She urged anyone who has not taken a tour of the museum to do so.
The project intention is to install six heritage information panels this spring. She told council that 2026 is an ideal time for the project to “kick off” because this year is the 130th anniversary of Kimberley’s founding.
The society is working with the city to “determine where the best sites are.” The first two sites have been identified. One at Cominco Gardens, which the city has approved, and the other the Marysville school, which has also been green lit by the School Board.
Military Ames has indicated it would be willing to supply funds for a panel at the Memorial site downtown.
Other locations being considered include Northstar Mine, the Platzl and the cuckoo clock.
Funding raising to date has generated $12,000. A current fundraising initiative is the Put Your Mark on History campaign where companies and others can donate a minimum of $500 and get their name on a panel. This campaign has raised $1,000 so far.
The next fundraising project is called Kimberley Clue which will be a “huge outdoor community game of clue using Kimberley historical characters, locations and possible murder weapons.” The game will take place Feb. 16 with help from Kootenay Orienteering.
Fergus told council the biggest challenge for the IHPP is the increasing cost of materials. She noted that current estimate for a 36” x 36” panel is $5,000.
Reiterating the notion that local history and heritage can be lost, Coun. McBain, “It’s a wonderful idea and hope it continues on for quite some time.”
2026 City Grants Allocation
Last October (2025), the city began receiving project/event applications from eligible non-profit organizations.
Pam Walsh, Manager of Community Development and Communication, said of the applicants, “It’s a good mix of events. Lots of different projects for ages and programming right across lots of different demographics.”
Walsh noted that, “20 applications were deemed eligible.”
Three councillors (Fox, Maguire and Roberts) and two staff make up the Grants Evaluation Committee. Having made their decisions, council is required to approve the committee’s decision and dispersal of funds.
Total funds available were $60,000, which were distributed across the applications.
The largest grant went to Kimberley Search and Rescue ($6,000) for avalanche rescue equipment. Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook received $5,000 for the Kimberley food connectivity project.
Six groups received $4,000. They are: Events from Myrtle Mountain, Pride Society, Seahorse Swim Club, Skating Cub, SPARK Youth Centre and Summit Community Services.
Council also approved a $500 travel grant to Quinn Unger for the Stratton Mogul Nor Am Cup Finals in Vermont, USA, in March.
Kimberley city council assembles twice monthly starting at 7 p.m.
The next regular council meeting: January 26.
e-KNOW file photos
e-KNOW
