A Positive Take On Things

With the election looming and the past actions or inaction of the current council weighing heavily upon us, there has been a lot of negative talk lately about the Crowsnest Pass.

Today I want to talk about all the positive that the Crowsnest Pass has to offer.

We live in one of the most beautiful places in Canada. It boasts majestic mountains and pristine rivers. The Pass has numerous beautiful lakes and awesome camping. It has great fishing and numerous other outdoor recreational opportunities.

We are lucky to live in the Rocky Mountains, in a place that hasn't been turned into a National or Provincial Park. The plus side of this, is more freedom and we actually own our land/property. We have a right to vote, to make decisions regarding our town and land.

Other things we have that we should be thankful for, include the following -

We have many outdoor pursuits, such as:

ATV/Quadding (Quad Squad)

Downhill Skiing

Cross Country Skiing (Crowsnest Pass Cross-Country Ski Assoc.)

Snowboarding

Tobogganing

Snowmobiling (CrowsSnow Riders Association)

Swimming (community pool, lakes and rivers) (Pass Piranhas Swim Club)

Cycling

Hiking

Caving/Splunking

Climbing

Baseball/Slo-Pitch (Minor Ball & Pass Slo-Pitch League)

Tennis

Golfing

Soccer (Minor Soccer)

HorseBack Riding (Turtle Mountain Riding Club)

Rifle/Gun Range (Crowsnest Gun Club)

Hunting

Mountain Biking

Lacrosse (Minor Lacrosse)

Walking Trails

White Water Slalom

Ball Hockey

Track & Field (Passtrak)

And Indoor Activities:

Ice Skating - Indoors and Out

Figure Skating (Skating Club)

Ice Hockey (Minor Hockey, Ladies & Old Crows Recreational Hockey)

Curling (Crowsnest Curling Club)

Indoor Rock Climbing

Yoga

Tai Chi

Pottery (Pass Pottery Club)

Basketball

Bowling

Martial Arts

Weight Training & Fitness Gym

Women's Gym

Dance

Swim Club

Movie Theatre

Adult Badminton

Taekwondo

Indoor Pistol Range (Pistol Club)

We are fortunate to have the following programs and events in place:

Adult Education Program

Adult Literacy Program

The Literacy Foundation

Women's Resource Centre

Parent Link Centre

Community Health & Mental Health Services

Boys & Girls Club

Indoor Playground

Brighter Futures

A.A.D.A.C.

F.C.S.S.

Three Senior's Centre's

S.P.C.A

Block Parent

Community Choir

Citizen's On Patrol

Gymnastics Club

Crowsnest Conservation Society

CNP Allied Arts Association

CNP Weight Lifting Club

Communities In Bloom

Rum Runner Days

Thunder In The Valley

Crowsnest Pass Symphony

Ducks Unlimited

Mason's (Sentinel Lodge)

Shrine Unit

Hillcrest Miners & Literacy Club

Historical Society

Kananaskis Pro Rodeo Society

Knights of Columbus

Mountain Fiddlers

Elk's

Lion's Club

Order of the Royal Purple

Road Watch in the Pass

Royal Canadian Air Cadets

Three Legions

Sole Survivor Foot Race Society CNP

Taoist Tai Chi Society

Kidsport

NIT (Nippon Institute of Technology)

Amature Radio Club

Cancer Support Group

We also have the following facilities:

Albert Stella Memorial Arena (Blairmore)

Allison/Chinook Cross-Country Ski Trails

Ball/Soccer Complex (Hillcrest)

Bellevue Community Campground

Blairmore Elk's Hall

Climbing Wall (Blairmore)

Coleman Museum

Frank Slide Interpretive Centre

CNP Art Gallery

Rocky Mountain Lane's - Bowling

CNP Community Swimming Pool

CNP Golf & Country Club

CNP Municipal Library (Blairmore)

CNP Sports Complex (Coleman)

Dairy Road - SportsField

Hillcrest Ball Diamonds

Hillcrest Fish & Game Hall

Indoor Playground

Lion's Hall (Blairmore)

MDM SportsField

HAS SportsField

ISS SportsField

Pass PowderKeg Ski Hill (Blairmore)

Polish Hall

Lost Lemon Mine Campground

Allison /Chinook Lake Campground

Random Camping

Orpheum Movie Theatre

Food Bank

Two Veterinary Clinic's

Three Optomotrists

Two Doctor's Offices (one in Blairmore and one in Bellevue -with about 7 doctor's)

Three Dental Offices

One Denturist

One Chiroprator

Four Pharmacy's

CNP Hospital

Long Term Care Centre

York Creek Lodge

Tecumseh Mountain Manor

Two Second Hand Stores (Bagatelle & Women's Resource Centre)

Four Day Care Centre's

Bellevue Mine Tour

Ten Church's

Four Fire Hall's

And the list goes on.......

The point being that we have a lot of great things to do and be thankful for.

The Crowsnest Pass people are a special breed of people, as well. They are kind and generous. They are willing to lend a hand and help each other out. We have a great volunteer base.

We have some awesome and unique local businesses.

We are lucky to have a couple of good developers, who have put a great deal into this community.

Our hospital is efficient and the staff friendly. We are lucky to have no line-ups or long wait times in emergency, or for certain procedures.

The Crowsnest people take pride in our valley and it's rich history.

The people who live here are hard working and equally hard playing. We enjoy life and all this place has to offer. We know that it is a special place to live and raise a family.

We respect nature around us and enjoy what it has to offer.

We are proud of our heritage.

The Crowsnest Pass is a very special place. It has a lot of good to offer. Let's never forget that. Let's work together to make this place even better.

There are still many more things that we can improve upon. Things that can make this place an even better place to live. Things that can attract the next generation to stay and raise a family.

The Crowsnest Pass depends upon it's people and it's leader's to ensure a bright and hopeful future.

Remember this, when it comes time to vote, on Monday October 18th. Who do you want to lead us into the future??