By Keith Powell
Fairmont Hot Springs: Large Scale Hangar Project Under Construction
The 6,005-foot Fairmont Hot Springs airport (CYCZ) is a busy place these days with the construction of the large-scale private multi-storey airplane/jet hangar under construction at the south end of the landing strip. This is the largest construction project the small airport has seen since it opened 1986.
Though the airport does not have regularly scheduled flights it is increasingly popular with private and fractional jet and luxury aircraft service. Local residents report frequent arrivals and departures of luxury private aircraft and jets to the airport. Red Deer-based builder Scott Builders is in charge of building the new private hangar.
It would appear that no local building permit was issued by the RDEK for the project. One Regional District staffer indicated that airport lands and infrastructure come under federal jurisdiction. Director of Operations Tex Deagnon couldn’t elaborate on any details of the project other than to say that the hangar is privately owned and is a private development.
The airport is operated by volunteers of the Columbia Valley Airport Society. The Society received $242,528 from the Province of BC in 2021 for runway revitalization and other upgrades.
Cranbrook: Murray Shellborn New Manager at Alopex Couriers
Murray Shellborn, longtime production manager and a minority owner at Koocanusa Publications, left the publishing company last fall and moved into the logistics business. Murray is now the general manager at the Alopex Couriers depot in Cranbrook.
Alopex Couriers is based out of Powell River, B.C. The company’s Cranbrook facility has 15 employees, with the majority of these being delivery drivers. Alopex Cranbrook offers daily delivery of packages and freight throughout the East Kootenay as an official agent of UPS.
Fairmont Hot Springs: Dream Ranch Job?
How did you miss this dream job? Last year, the remote Royal Antler Ranch west of Fairmont Hot Springs advertised what some might call their dream job.
The ‘help wanted’ ad read, “One of British Columbia’s most pristine and privately owned historical ranches is seeking a responsible and result-driven couple to manage a smooth running facility so the owner’s family can enjoy it as if it were a 5-star resort. The position requires MOVING into the property and being able to TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY for ranch facilities operations. A remote ranch with no cattle located near the Invermere/Radium Hot Springs area in British Columbia. Contract for 5 years. Separate fully renovated housing provided on the property for the ranch managing family. Own 4x4 transportation is a must. This is not a position for everyone. You need to love the mountain and remote living lifestyle and be very efficient in all works to be able to succeed. Own 4x4 transportation is a must. Full-time with a salary of $72,000.00-$84,000.00 per year. The position requires a service approach: at all times the owner’s family needs are the priority. Do you have experience dealing with demanding clients?”
The high-end Royal Antler Ranch is a historic 1,286 acre ranch that sits eight miles west of Fairmont Hot Springs. It was purchased by foreign owners about a decade ago for over $15 million. Albertan Dan Coughlin was awarded the full time manager position in April 2023. A previous estate manager of the ranch, Denis Ryzhov, also managed a fleet of high performance aircraft which included a Bell 407 helicopter, a Pilatus PC-12 single engine plane and a luxury SR22T Cirrus aircraft.
Invermere: New Shell Gas Station Now Open
A new full-service station gas/convenience store opened last fall. The station is located at a high visibility location just off of busy Highway 93/95 is now in full operation at 4,900 Athalmer Road in Invermere. The store is open 24 hours-a-day and is managed by Gurpreet Singh.
The modern fuel stop sits next to the recently opened McDonalds restaurant in the PrairieWind Business Centre. In addition to a convenience store and multiple gas pumps, the Shell station offers an ATM and is a lottery outlet.