The Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting at the Blackbird Coffee House in Coleman on Wednesday, March 9th.
Directly following lunch being served, Terri Lorrain of the Pinkest Little Town in the West committee spoke to members about the work the committee is doing to fundraise for the Wild Pink Yonder breast cancer trail ride, which kicks off this year in the Crowsnest Pass.
Lorrain said the committee has set a goal to raise a minimum of $50,000 for the ride this year, and encouraged business owners to get involved in the project.
The title of Pinkest Little Town in the West will be awarded to the community which achieves a combination of the most money raised per capita and the most “pinkifying” throughout the town.
This year 23 communities are participating, and the winner of the contest will be awarded a free concert for their efforts.
Lorrain said some possible acts the committee would like to see come to the Crowsnest Pass include Paul Brandt, Terri Clark, and Nickelback.
“I want to encourage us all to get behind this super cause,” said Chamber President Rick Breakenridge. “Events like these encourage tourism and help businesses flourish.”
Next up, Mayor Bruce Decoux updated Chamber members as to the Municipality’s progress in addressing economic issues and solutions in the community.
He said Council is utilizing the aid of the economic task force to assess the economic needs of the Crowsnest Pass, before solutions can be determined.
Decoux said Council’s main priorities are currently the economy, the Crowsnest Centre, the River Run properties, duplication of municipal services, Hwy 3, land development, and water issues, and that Council hopes to have answers to some of these problems by next fall, although it will take time.
“There is no magical answer to any of these problems,” said Decoux. “They are all compromises.”
He also encouraged members to read the book, “Thirteen ways to Kill Your Community”, written by Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths and award winning journalist Kelly Clemmer of the Wainwright Star Chronicle and Wainwright Review.
“The book provides a cornerstone to ensure your community is sustainable,” said Decoux.