As a relative newcomer to the Creston Valley, Kala Hooker has made a big impact in a short time.
When this mother of four made the move to Creston in 2020, she knew immediately she needed to get involved in the community.
During her time here, she has served in different positions on several boards and organizing committees. She has tremendous experience working with organizations to support organizational change and change management.
At the same time, she also stepped in to volunteer and support elected representatives with the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK). She is the alternate director for both Areas B and C. This is an unelected, uncompensated volunteer position that has her attend meetings, connect with community groups, and support the vision of the area directors when they are not available.
She has worked closely with RDCK staff members and the Town of Creston's mayor and council on a number of initiatives related to economic impact, access to water ways, and Resident Directed (REDI) Funding through the Columbia Basin Trust and RDCK. For the past four years, she has chaired the REDI program for Area B. She developed a method following the REDI guidance to score applications on the impact and benefit to residents. She also led the committee – which included representatives from Yahk, Canyon, Lister, and Erickson – and helped create a fair and transparent process that has awarded close to $200,000 to a number of community groups.
Hooker loves sports and, in her previous community, she was recognized as a local sports hero for supporting high school girls play rugby. She coached a team from Smithers to the BC Summer Games. In Creston, she has turned her eyes to women’s soccer.
For the past four years, she has organized women’s soccer, creating an organization with a board able to leverage community funding for organizational and infrastructure improvements. Through this work she helped co-ordinate the training of dozens of soccer referees for high school and adult soccer games all throughout the Interior. Women’s soccer has grown to over 30 members and she has visions of creating a league to elevate competitive play in the valley.
Another organization that held Hooker's attention was the Creston Valley Minor Hockey Association.
In the fall of 2023, at a meeting of Creston Valley Minor Hockey U18 Parents, they expressed interest in holding the Provincial Hockey Championships. Hooker supported a letter writing effort to BC Hockey to convince them Creston was an ideal location. As 2024 was the town's centennial, it was the perfect way to celebrate.
In March 2024, the tournament hosted 200 players, parents, delegates, and BC Hockey staff from every region of the province and also brought thousands of dollars to local hotels, restaurants, and stores for a week.
Not only that, she also led the concept, design, building, and opening of a 60-foot ice sports legacy project in the Creston and District Community Complex.
This project started with community meetings to identify stories of local sports heroes. and
"So many volunteers helped bring this vision together, showcasing the power of community spirit and collaboration," said Nicole Nixon, as she presented the award during the Blossom Festival opening ceremonies.
Hooker formed partnerships with individuals and community groups like the Creston Valley Museum to curate and collect materials for the display and also led fundraising efforts that raised over $150,000, including cash and in kind donations to pay for materials and the installation.
In March 2025, 100 Years of Ice Sports officially opened in the stands of the Johnny Bucyk Arena.
“The idea is we're creating a legacy of storytelling, sharing our history, and letting people know about all these great people that have contributed to it," said Hooker.
