As many as 300 visitors will arrive in Creston next week, many of them delegates to the 2014 Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) convention and annual general meetings.
“Planning to host this conference has been a huge undertaking by our staff and council,” said Mayor Ron Toyota. “It is a great opportunity to show off our beautiful Creston Valley and provide a memorable experience for our guests.”
The Creston and District Community Complex will be home base for the conference, which starts with an AKBLG executive meeting and registration on April 9, and runs through April 11.
Delegates spend all day Thursday at the community complex. Following the opening ceremonies, keynote speaker Stockwell Day takes the stage. Day’s 25-year political career included stints in the Alberta legislature and Canadian Parliament.
Tours for delegates and guests will showcase Creston’s infrastructure and tourist attractions.
“We are trying to showcase the Creston Valley experience with tours that we have organized around the area,” Bhar Sihota, the Town of Creston’s research and legislative analyst, who also sits on the organizing committee.
The tours kick off on Wednesday morning with a tongue-in-cheek pairing, with guests touring Columbia Brewery and then heading off on a short ride down the hill to see the recently upgraded wastewater treatment plan.
“This tour is especially appropriate because Columbia Brewery is a major contributor to the operation of the wastewater treatment plant, as well as being a great corporate citizen,” Toyota said.
Another group will board buses that will take guests westward for a visit to Wynnwood Cellars, followed with a tour of Wynnwood (formerly Wynndel Box and Lumber), the sawmill that for more than 100 years has been a major employer and community supporter. Winery co-owner Michael Wigen is also a director of the family-owned and -operated sawmill.
A third tour takes visitors to Erickson and Lister. The first stop is Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, for a sample of award-winning wine. Next, guests get an up-close look at Kootenay Meadows, where the Harris family produces a selection of award-winning cheeses from milk produced on their organic farm.
A fourth tour takes guests to the Creston flats for a tour of the dairy operated by Wayne and Eileen Adams, then for a walk around the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area.
While delegates are busy in meetings on Thursday, spouses can take a guided walk around Creston’s downtown core or take an art journaling class from Creston artist Brandy Hunt.
A Western-themed social event is scheduled for Wednesday night in the huge tent at Creston Flats Stables, where a barbecue dinner will be served, followed by entertainment by the Daniel Huscroft Band. On Thursday night, the Creston Room will be the scene of a dinner and entertainment by Timebenders.
The conference adjourns on Friday at noon following another morning of business workshops.
“There is a great economic benefit to our community when we host an event of this scale,” Toyota said. “Hotel and motel rooms are booked, restaurants get busy and businesses should see unfamiliar faces as our guests and spouses get out and explore the town.”