Access The Valley
Welcome to Access the Valley, a community initiative supported and locally funded by the CV Foundation and the Greenways Trail Alliance. Our goal is to visit local venues and take pictures, descriptions and videos of accessible features of each place and promote them here and on the Greenways Trail Alliance. We are aiming to provide information to tourists and residents with mobility restrictions. Businesses will be added as they are reviewed.
Did You Know?
Kinsmen Beach located in downtown Invermere, has a beach wheelchair available free of charge on a first come first serve basis.
Just contact Penny or Max at Columbia River Paddle who run the local concessions for access. The rental desk that will get the chair out of storage is there most of the summer hours.
Summer hours to be posted soon.
Local Parapelegic Tanelle Bolt has started the "RAD society".
This society purchases and loans adaptive sporting equipment to people with diverse abilities in the valley, so they can participate in sports that they might have otherwise not of had the chance to. Right now, they have equipment like a adaptive trike, that give people who don’t have use of their legs, the chance to go biking on a variety of terrain, and a stand up golfer.
Let the RAD society introduce you to the world of sports, turning something that you may have thought to be impossible to possible. Tanelle is very determined to get more adaptive sports available in the valley, so keep up to date with her journey through her Facebook page.
My family and I have donated our wheelchair accessible van to the Columbia House,
Through it Columbia House Enhancement Society, that helps enhance the lives of seniors and people in the valley who may have mobility restrictions. This van is open to anyone that needs it. Go by the Columbia House (850 10th Ave Invermere, British Columbia) and get in touch with Darla to sign out the van for your choice of period of time. For your 1st time using the van, go by, sign up and bring your drivers license and your RoadStar Assistance. Let “Kate’s Van” help expand your surrounding, and give you a sense of freedom in the Columbia Valley.
A couple of years ago, Elieen Madson Primary School(EMP) got its first accessible playground.
If that doesn’t make you smile… the story around it just might…
There was a girl in Grade 3 who had noticed a boy in her school who was in a wheelchair and who couldn’t play on the playground like she and her friends could… and she didn’t like that… SO… for her birthday party.. she decided not to take presents, but donations for an accessible playground that her friend could play on.
Kids, parents, and the staff of EMP thought that was an amazing idea, and they wanted to back her up. EMP searched for grants, local and others to help fund this project and in the spring of 2013, the playground was up and ready to play on. It has a disk swing that is easy for kids with mobility challenges to get on, and a playground that is wheelchair/walker friendly.
This is such an important asset in our valley that all kids are welcome and they all deserve to play!! Way to go EMP! You are a very “special place” indeed
Smith and Anderschuck Have An Accessible Office Room
Smith and Anderschuck has a big flight of stairs to get up to its offices, however, they do have a little side room that my chair can go in for quick meetings or to sign paperwork. It may not be the most accessible building, but the staff are always thoughtful and want to help in any way they can! They suggest you call ahead so they can open the door for you!
The Valley Fitness Center now has a portable ramp
The Valley Fitness Center now has a portable ramp to assist people who use mobility devices up on the second level. This helps me, as I usually bring my chair to the gym when I go by myself, to the equipment for safety or if I can sit and do an exercise. The staff at Valley Fitness are very friendly, happy to see me, and willing to help me with anything! I need!
Wheelchair Parking and Bathrooms in Downtown Invermere
We feel so supported by the Chamber about our project. When talking with the staff, we could feel how excited they were about. The Chamber of Commerce is where tourists come for information about the valley and they provide business and marketing support for local businesses. The chamber wants to satisfy all visitors to the valley, and encourage them to come back. They have made significant investments in accessibility to the Chamber offices and conference area, with 3 accessible spots, the have lowered counters and invested in great accessible public bathrooms. We acknowledge and appreciate the Chamber of Commerce for your support of Access the Valley and investing in accessible features.
Community Spaces
More information coming soon!