Community
When I moved here I had the usual checklist of things required of a town. Friendly neighbourhoods with parks and walking trails. The two elementary schools, new high school and Heritage Library took care of educational needs. The Fernie District Hospital along with medical clinics, ambulance, police and fire departments ensured we would be safe and well looked after. The new Aquatic Centre, historic downtown, bars and restaurants added to the appeal and the fact there was a small town movie theatre where the owner sometimes served the popcorn helped sealed the deal!
Then you look around. You wonder how many places offer a ski resort 5 km. away or world class trout fishing in the river that runs right through town. Mountain biking and hiking trails winding through the forests and mountains that surround you. Every outdoor activity at your doorstep, not to mention fresh air in your lungs and wildlife in your front yard.
And yet, for all these things that define Fernie, it is the sense of community that grabs you. When you are part of a small community, whether full-time resident or part-time visitor, you feel connected. People are here because they want to be, not because they have to be. Fernie is home to approximately 5,000 people and it is these people that make it such a special and unique place. A place where people chat in the grocery store or let you go first at a stop sign. A place where half the town turns out for the Soapbox Derby, Taste of Fernie Festival or the Fernie Run Around Half Marathon and you know most of them. A place where getting involved in local organizations or issues means your voice will be heard and it’s impact felt. A place where people look out for each other.
These are great times to be in Fernie. A town that prides itself on it’s heritage and history while looking forward to growth and opportunity, Fernie is a throwback to a simpler time of community values and unhurried lifestyle. More than words, Fernie is a feeling that has to be experienced to be understood. Please take your time exploring the Links section of my website, I hope it begins to give you a feel for what Fernie is all about. Enjoy!