By Keith Powell
Creston: Town Names New Market Park Project
On June 20, the Town of Creston held a naming and opening ceremony with yaqan nukiy (Lower Kootenay Band) Chief and Council to officially announce the name of the market park project: “ʔak̓uǂni”. ʔak̓uǂni, pronounced ah-kooth-nee, means “journey” or “the act of paddling” in the ktunaxa language, and is the root of the word “kootenay.”
"We are proud to name the park in the Ktunaxa language, honoring the cultural heritage of the yaqan nukiy. Incorporating yaqan nukiy features into the park represents our commitment to celebrating and preserving their history and culture,” said Creston Mayor Arnold DeBoon.
The Town of Creston collaborated with yaqan nukiy in developing the park’s features, including the plantings and gathering circle. The installation of a large tipi marks the first on land within the Town of Creston in over 100 years, marking an important step towards truth and reconciliation.
Cranbrook: CFEK's Sean Campbell Leaving Organization
Sean Campbell, general manager at Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK) and the Ground Floor Coworking Space in Cranbrook is leaving the organization. He said in a recent Kootenay Business interview that he is moving to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island.
Community Futures focuses on rural development while collaborating with other business lenders, educational institutions, non-profits, and community governments to enhance the local economy.
Sean Campbell has been general manager of CFEK since May 2013 and before that he held a senior banking position with HSBC Bank.
Cranbrook: Creston Orchard Opens Outlet in Cranbrook
Harpreet Singh (pictured left) and his crew from Marar Orchards in Creston have opened a new location along Victoria Avenue at 2001 Kootenay Street North in Cranbrook.
"It will feature all our freshly grown and harvested fruits and produce from our Creston orchard, plus we have an extensive line up of south Asian grocery and seasoning items."
The Marar location in Cranbrook held a grand opening celebration on Thursday, June 26th and Harpreet said they appreciated the great turnout from the community of Cranbrook.
"Our motto is that we sell what we grow," says Harpreet. "Ninety per cent of our fruits and produce are grown on the Creston farm and in our orchards."
Sparwood: New Pizza Hut Comes to Sparwood
A new Pizza Hut carry out and delivery outlet, which has eight or nine employees, has recently opened in Sparwood's Centennial Square.
Owner and general manager Puneet Rana says the positive response has been a little overwhelming since opening in the middle of June.
"We were expecting 60 orders a day and we are averaging almost 200 orders a day," he said. "We are getting customers from Sparwood and all over the Elk Valley, like Fernie and Elkford, stopping by our new location."
Puneet Rana says that the new Sparwood Pizza Hut is owned by a group of Alberta-based investors who also operate Pizza Huts in a number of other communities including Fort McMurray and Coaldale. It is located at 109 Centennial Square in downtown Sparwood, and is open 7 days a week, 10 am to 10 pm.
