FRAA Update Public Health Guidelines July 22, 2020

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Field Recreation Advisory Association (FRAA) has resumed programs at Field Community Hall, based on guidelines from the British Columbia Provincial Health Officer. 

Please visit:  http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19

Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

Keep your hands at your side when possible.

When you are out in public, keep 2 metres between yourself and others. 

‎Stay home when you are sick, even if symptoms are mild.

Cough and sneeze into your elbow or sleeve.

Avoid social activities in large gatherings. 

Field Recreation Advisory Association (FRAA) Board Meeting July 20, 2020

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In Attendance: Sally Watson, Paulina O’Brien, Kathryn Cameron

Excused: Flint Palmer, Sonya Leenders, Greg Dowman

1. Meetings, Programs and Events through the lens on Covid-19 guidelines

FRAA Board Meeting: Scheduled for August 31, 2020, 7:30 pm at Field Community Hall. Going ahead with the meeting!

Field Utility Board (FUB) Meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2020. Going ahead with the meeting!

Town Hall Meeting: Scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2020. Going ahead with a public meeting! Maximum attendance based on how many 2 meter-distanced chairs we can fit into the Community Hall. Exploring the option of live-streaming the meeting on Facebook or via Zoom, with options for questions and comments.

HIIT: Going well, either outside on the rink space behind the Community Hall or inside at Field School. Two sessions per week: Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm with Laura Penner, $6 admission, and Sunday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, group lead, no admission fee. Craig to confirm with Rocky Mountain School District #6 that school gym use by the FRAA is still allowed until the lease surrender process between SD6 and Parks Canada is complete.

Yoga Flow with Julie: One session per week on Thursday from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Field Community Hall. Admission by donation.

Public Washroom at Field Community Hall: Opened on June 22, 202 and will operate until September 30, 2020. Facility is cleaned twice a day. Maintained by Parks Canada staff.

Social Distance Party: Not at this time. We’re proceeding with caution to offer programs and hold meetings. Not prepared to host any events.

2. Constitution Update

FRAA Board will present updated Constitution at the September 28, 2020 Town Hall Meeting. Shouldn’t be too painful! Looking forward to hearing comments from community.

3. St. Joseph Project

Meeting weekly to move the process along. Requested a meeting as soon as possible to discuss two options with designer Alasdair Russell of russell and russell design. For both options the building will not be moved, but will be placed on a new foundation (full basement).

            1. Ramp access to front entrance that is not exposed to snow shedding from the roof in winter. Expand back addition to include bathrooms and only have storage in the basement. Basement access by level entrance at front and by inside stairs. This would be a simple building with multi use space and bathrooms on main floor and storage in the basement. Full basement with potential to finish in the future. Cheaper and keeps similar architectural profile.

            2. When new basement is added footprint is expanded at the rear and at front of the entrance to create additional space needed for bathrooms, kitchen facility, office and storage. This plan includes an elevator. Office can be used by bride as a “get ready room” if separate room is no longer possible. This keeps the concept of the full service facility but would be smaller and other than expanded back section and basement (front and rear) keeps the same profile.

We hope to have a new concept to present to the community at the September 28, 2020 Town Hall Meeting.

4. Kicking Horse Ski Club

Exploring options for cross-country ski trail maintenance.

5. Community Hall Maintenance and Improvements

Outdoor plug-in: Used by RV campers on Sunday, July 19 to charge their battery; they made a $10 donation when informed that the electricity they were using was the property of a not for profit group with no current revenue (no pun intended). Checked to see if it’s possible to turn off the power to the outlet but it’s on the breaker is for the whole main floor of the Community Hall, so not possible.

Change room door and windows: Flint to confirm timeline with Joe.

Bar sink tap replacement: Kathryn to confirm timeline with Miles

6. Bulletin Board 

Sonya is working on the project.

Guidelines for Community Hall use have been updated to post on the Bulletin Board and at the Community Hall. To be circulated with minutes.

7. Round Table

Seems to be an increase in amount of litter at the pond, i.e. hand wipes and Kleenex. If you spend time at the pond, please take your garbage home for disposal. Leave no trace . . .

Resident Passes are now available at Field VRC outdoor information service.

Garbage outside the kid’s room back door entrance: Kathryn to take to the dump.

CBC Radio One Reception in Field: For several months, FM 97.1 in Field has had spotty reception: cutting out intermittently, and volume levels drop off considerably or occasionally get really loud. In response to information submitted to https://cbchelp.cbc.ca/hc/en-ca/requests/new, CBC Audience Services has sent this information: 

“Currently for this site, the main transmitter is undergoing repairs. 
            In the meantime this site has been transmitting on it’s backup transmitter. 
This could be the reason why you are not getting a signal at certain times. 
            We will follow up with the transmission department and update you when possible. Thank you for your patience.”

Field Recreation Advisory Association Community Update June 30, 2020

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1. FRAA Report – Kathryn Cameron, President FRAA

Meetings, Programs and Events Review – We are cautiously starting programs again.           

  • HIIT:  (High Intensity Interval Training) with Laura Penner on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, $6 admission, and group-lead on Sunday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, no charge, outside on the paved surface (skating rink/pickleball court). Please text Craig if you plan to attend.
  • Yoga: Yoga Flow With Julie on Thursday evenings at Field Community Hall from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, by donation. Social distancing measures in place for us to flow safely and stay healthy. Mat placement will be taped on the floor. Bring your own mat 
  • Field Utility Board Meeting: Held on June 16, 2020. Information included in Parks Canada report below.
  • Town Hall Meeting June 22, 2020: The Board feels that it is too soon to hold a public Town Hall Meeting in an inside venue, so this meeting has been cancelled. Minutes of both the FRAA board of Directors Meeting and Field Utility Board Meeting will be circulated by email to the community email list and posted on the fieldbc.ca website.
  • Canada Day Celebrations normally held throughout the community on Canada Day are cancelled for 2020. However, the FRAA encourages everyone to decorate their house or yard or business, and have a family/household/bubble Canada Day barbeque to love your life, love your family and celebrate our good fortune to live in this remarkable country! 
  • Community Social Distance Street Party has been in discussion for a couple of months now. Again, the Board feels that it’s too soon to host an event but are exploring options that give us chance to get together, stay safe, visit and enjoy some music. It’s on the radar.
  • Community Hall Clean-up and Standards/Protocols: The FRAA will follow Infectious Diseases Protocols when cleaning the Community Hall after it has been used. Sally to forward guidelines to Board members.

Hall Rentals

            Elements Physiotherapy and Massage from Golden have expressed interest in renting the Community Hall one day per week during July and August to offer services to visitors and residents. The Board feels that since we are basically mid-pandemic now, 2021 is probably a better time to embark on this option. Sally to communicate the decision with Elements Physiotherapy and Massage.

            No recent hall rentals, and none on the horizon.

Landscape Contract

            Contract has been awarded to Burgess Lawn Care and Maintenance. Mowing and planting have started.

Community Bulletin Board

            Sonya presented concept. Feels that the corkboard is in good condition. Working on organization and headings. Budget of $150 approved. 

Community Garden Proposal 

            There is interest for a community garden in Field. It is a complicated process. The group is scouting potential locations with a timeline to have the community garden established for 2021.

CP Rail on malfunctions of new crossing and plans for mitigation/repair 

            This will be referred to Parks Canada for action. The new crossing has been in place since late November. The physical crossing is extremely rough/unfinished. The signal mechanism malfunctions frequently. Both need to be addressed.

Constitution Update 

            The Board members will review proposed changes by September. Proposed changes will be presented to the community and if approved will be filed with the BC Government. The changes are minimal. Sally will file the Annual Report this week.

St. Joseph Project 

  • Sally, Craig and Kathryn met with Bryan and Joanie on June 15, 200 and it was good. Basically, they have important points about the size of the project and the impact on their living space and lifestyle. The most important issue is the purpose of the project, which Craig spoke to right at the beginning of the conversation: the church restoration and renovation project is meant to bring the community together, build everyone up and not to create division or anger. We talked about setbacks, site potential and implications for the immediate neighbours as well as for the community. Long story short, it’s back to the drawing board for a smaller project, but not back to square one. A lot of work has been done that is very relevant to the project, including suggestions from the Keefer family. We have to remember too that the world has changed since we started all of this.
  • Helen Irwin has completed the first draft of the Basic Impact Assessment, and all current information has been forwarded to russell and russell design in Canmore. 
  • Owl monitoring continues. One owlet fledged in 2020, on June 24.
  • Sally to pay WSP invoice for last work done on the lot survey, covers registering info with Government of Canada.

Go International Volunteers

Ron Allen reports that there will be changes to the program this year to manage participant safety. He recommended that we put together a short list of ideas for FRAA projects. The Board identified cleaning and staining the deck, and painting the outside doors. Other suggestions?

Fireweed Hostel Closed

Owners Kim and Craig Chapman announced on June 19, 2020 that CP would not renew the lease and would take over the building. Fireweed Hostel has been an integral part of the Field Community for 14 years. This is not only a big loss to Kim and Craig, but to Field too. Fireweed welcomed local, national and international visitors, hosted family and community celebrations and made Field a better place. Thank you to the Chapman and Lucas families for giving us a remarkable, beautiful, iconic and unfortunately short-term operation. 

What’s Open in Field and Yoho – A moving target these days


2. Treasurer’s Report – Sally Watson, Treasurer FRAA

Files to be distributed July 2, 2020.

3. Parks Canada Report June 19, 2020 – Alex Kolesch, Acting Townsite Manager

  • Water/sewer/garbage rates: Rates for the 20-21 fiscal year will be unchanged, as we have reached the rate cap for cost-recovery and the remaining cost recovery amount will be subsidised by Parks Canada.
  • Outstanding invoice for public washroom use: Parks Canada had some questions about the water consumption on these invoices. Sally was helpful in providing some additional information and we will follow up on this item.
  • Contribution Agreement for FRAA: Parks Canada made some errors related to our internal processes for approval of this. The errors were corrected and the agreement is being vetted internally.  A new agreement will be forthcoming, which will allow contribution payments to be made for honoraria.
  • Traffic signals at Field/TCH intersection: Some off-highway work will begin in June or July, with the signals expected to be installed in September.
  • Community Hall public washroom: I followed up after our discussion – we will maintain and clean this facility this year. We’ll follow up when we are ready to proceed.
  • Kicking Horse Ski Club: Parks Canada will begin discussions with the club regarding the club’s funding of a Parks Canada track setting position to be in place for the 20/21 winter
  • Field Community Emergency Plan: Parks Canada is investigating consultants that can take this work on. This will likely be the most efficient approach to getting this work done. More to come…
  • Field Fire and Rescue: Parks Canada met this week with a consultant undertaking a review of the department. The objective of this review is to look at options that will result in a sustainable service in the long term. The consultant met with current and past fire department staff during his time in Field.
  • CP Crossing: Work is ongoing (as of Thursday, June 18) and we agreed we would see what the finished product looked like.
  • Fireweed Hostel: Parks Canada is now aware of the recent developments on this and will be following up with CP to understand their intentions.
  • Field VRC: Outdoor service started on June 25, 2020

4. Friends of Yoho Report June 24, 2020 – Brenda Selkirk, Manager Friends of Yoho

  • The Friends of Yoho had their 32nd AGM on June 19 with Goggle Meets. We had members from the US, Saskatchewan and Calgary joining us. We had a good 2019 with improvements, good sales and ongoing programs to see us through. The Board has renewed their positions for the upcoming year. Helen is president, Karla is vice president, Ginette is secretary, and Trisha is treasurer. Sarah and Lorraine are continuing as directors. 
  • Day to day operations due to COVID-19 affect a wide range of issues such as employment matters, fundraising, hosting events and meetings.
  • The gift shop remains closed in the VRC. We do have clothing items and magnets on the website that can be purchased on-line.
  • The Historical walking tours are not being offered this year. This is a tough decision based on the current safety of others.
  • Donations and memberships are being accepted through the website. 

6. Field Fire and Rescue Report June 26, 2020 – Patrick Caïs, Acting Chief, Field Fire and Rescue Department

  1. Call Outs –
    1.  7 in November, 13 in December, 4 in January, 3 in February . 
    1. 1 in March, 0 in April, 2 in May (vehicle fire and stand down), 3 in June (power pole fire, gaz leak, STARS landing assistance).  Total 33.
  2. Members
    1. New recruits coming with summer.
  3. New and Planned Purchases
    1. No New purchases
    1. SCBAs have been serviced.
  4. Completed Training 

No external training during this spring because of COVID 19.

In house Tuesdays night trainings stopped mid March because of Covid 19.  Members could follow on line Zoom training every Tuesday nights.  These online trainings were led by Sean Coubrough, CSRD.

  • Upcoming Training
    • Tuesday nights training resumed on June 23rd with equipment check.  
    • Focus for the upcoming summer Tuesday nights training will be fire and extrication.
  • Apparatus
    • Engine 1 (all good) 
    • Rescue 1 (all good) 
    • Rescue 2 (all good considering its age).  
  • Ongoing Projects
    • Discussions with PCA about importance of fulltime fire chief on FFRD (Fire Chief)  ongoing
    • FFRD signed a contract with PCA for the service of fire protection and anything related to fire within Yoho National Park and limited road rescue (vehicle fires and extrication only).  This contract is valid until September 30th.
    • A functional audit of the fire department is going on.  The consulting firm met with members on June 18th.  Final report is due for mid September.

FFRD has been advised that it entirely lost its mutual aid agreement with Lake Louise Fire Department (LLFD).  Until recently, LLFD was coming across the border to respond to vehicle incidents and was also automatically dispatched for structure fires.  LLFD does not come across the AB/BC border anymore.

FRAA Board Meeting June 8, 2020

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In Attendance: Sally Watson, Sonya Leenders, Kathryn Cameron

Excused: Paulina O’Brien, Flint Palmer, Greg Dowman

1. Meetings, Programs and Events Review – We are cautiously starting programs again. 

HIIT:  (High Intensity Interval Training) with Laura Penner on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, $6 admission, and group-lead on Sunday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, no charge, outside on the paved surface (skating rink/pickleball court). Please text Craig if you plan to attend.

Yoga: Yoga Flow With Julie on Thursday evenings at Field Community Hall from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, by donation. Social distancing measures in place for us to flow safely and stay healthy. Mat placement will be taped on the floor. Bring your own mat 

Field Utility Board Meeting: Scheduled for phone meeting on June 16, 2020. FRAA to send items for discussion to Parks Canada by Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Town Hall Meeting June 22, 2020: The Board feels that it is too soon to hold a public Town Hall Meeting in an inside venue, so this meeting has been cancelled. Minutes of both the FRAA board of Directors Meeting and Field Utility Board Meeting will be circulated by email to the community email list and posted on the fieldbc.ca website.

Canada Day Celebrations normally held throughout the community on Canada Day are cancelled for 2020. However, the FRAA encourages everyone to decorate their house or yard or business, and have a family/household/bubble Canada Day barbeque to love your life, love your family and celebrate our good fortune to live in this remarkable country! 

Community Social Distance Street Party has been in discussion for a couple of months now. Again, the Board feels that it’s too soon to host an event but are exploring options that give us chance to get together, stay safe, visit and enjoy some music. It’s on the radar.

2. Hall Rentals

Elements Physiotherapy and Massage from Golden have expressed interest in renting the Community Hall one day per week during July and August to offer services to visitors and residents. The Board feels that since we are basically mid-pandemic now, 2021 is probably a better time to embark on this option. Sally to communicate the decision with Elements Physiotherapy and Massage.

No recent hall rentals, and none on the horizon.

3. Community Hall Clean-up and Standards/Protocols

The FRAA will follow Infectious Diseases Protocols when cleaning the Community Hall after it has been used. Sally to forward guidelines to Board members.

4. Landscape Contract

Contract has been awarded to Burgess Lawn Care and Maintenance. Mowing and planting have started.

5. Community Bulletin Board

Sonya presented concept. Feels that the corkboard is in good condition. Working on organization and headings. Budget of $150 approved. 

6. Community Garden Proposal 

There is interest for a community garden in Field. It is a complicated process. The group is scouting potential locations with a timeline to have the community garden established for 2021.

7. Letter to CP Rail on malfunctions of new crossing and plans for mitigation/repair 

This will be referred to Parks Canada for action. The new crossing has been in place since late November. The physical crossing is extremely rough/unfinished. The signal mechanism malfunctions frequently. Both need to be addressed.

8. Field Fire and Rescue Department (FFRD)

Parks Canada has hired a consultant to audit operations. Report to be complete by mid-September. FFRD has signed a contract with Parks Canada to provide fire protection services, and road rescue for extrication and vehicle fires in Yoho National Park until the end of September 2020. 

9. Constitution Update 

The Board members will review proposed changes by September. Proposed changes will be presented to the community and if approved will be filed with the BC Government. The changes are minimal. Sally will file the Annual Report this week.

10. St. Joseph Project 

Site meeting scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2020 to discuss variance issues. Helen Irwin has completed the first draft of the Basic Impact Assessment, and all current information has been forwarded to russell and russell design in Canmore. We need engineered drawings to apply for the gas tax grant. Owl monitoring continues. We’re making progress.

11. Go International Volunteers

Ron Allen reports that there will be changes to the program this year to manage participant safety. He recommended that we put together a short list of ideas for FRAA projects. The Board identified cleaning and staining the deck, and painting the outside doors. Other suggestions?

12. Field Utility Board Agenda items to discuss with Parks Canada

  • Invoices for public washroom use and Honorarium have not been paid to date, numerous reminders have been sent
  • Traffic lights at Field Intersection update
  • Kicking Horse Ski Club proposal to fund PC position to maintain ski trails
  • Opening public washroom at Community Hall in 2020 
  • Field Emergency Plan Update timeline
  • Communication with CP Rail about plans to finish the crossing (extremely rough) and mitigate signal malfunctions that have plagued operations since November. 

13. What’s Open in Field and Yoho

Yoho Bros Trading Post: Open Friday to Sunday 9 am to 7 pm,  and Monday to Thursday 10 am to 7 pm

Velvet Antler Pottery: www.velvetantlerpottery.com open daily from 11 am to 6 pm

Truffle Pigs Bistro and Lodge: www.trufflepigs.com open

The Siding Café: The Siding Café on Facebook, closed

Emerald Lake Lodge: Open as of June 3, 2020 https://crmr.com/covid-19/

The Boathouse Trading Co. : Open daily 10 am to 5 pm https://sites.google.com/theboathousetradingco.com/emeraldcanoes

Cathedral Mountain Lodge: Plan to open August 1, 2020 https://www.cathedralmountainlodge.com/special-advisory/

Lake O’Hara Lodge: www.lakeohara.com News release April 22, 2020: Lodge not open for the 2020 summer/fall season.

Great Divide Lodge: www.thegreatdividelodge.com Call for information.

ACC Backcountry Lodges: https://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/web/ACCMember/Huts/Home.aspx?hkey=2859ab1c-3d06-42d6-ab37-5a2e0c77f2ec

Parks Canada stakeholder update dated June 1, 2020 will be circulated with the minutes.

14. Round Table

Sally to pay WSP invoice for last work done on the lot survey, covers registering info with Government of Canada.

Village of Field website, www.fieldbc.ca  is almost up to date with minutes of Board and Town Hall Meetings. To be complete by end of June. 

FRAA Outdoor Physical Distance Board Meeting May 11, 2020

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In Attendance: Sonya Leenders, Sally Watson, Kathryn Cameron

Excused: Flint Palmer, Paulina O’Brien, Greg Dowman

1. Community Garden Proposal

Submitted to Parks Canada by Sonya and Andrea. We’ll keep you posted.

2. Flower Beds at Superintendent’s Residence

Burlap protection very effective; there was not much gravel contamination this year. Kudos to snow plough operators for keeping the area relatively clean this winter!

3. RCMP Report from Sergeant Rob Haney, Golden – Field Detachment

  • Traffic Services concentrating on speed enforcement, not enforcing “essential travel only” which is a recommendation, not legislation.
  • Integrated Road Safety Unit will have a strong presence on Highway 1 between the Alberta/British Columbia boarder and Sicamous on the long weekend, starting May 14 in Field and Golden area. 
  • Discussion about Rural Crime Watch Program. Field was part of the Neighbourhood Watch Program until it was disbanded. Field is not currently part of the Rural Crime Watch Program.

4. Community Bulletin Board

Design and content in process. Focus on Community Health and Safety with information about British Columbia recommendations and orders re: Covid-19, community news and information.

5. Programs and Meetings

  • Interior Health Public Order, dated April 2, 2020 and in place until May 31, 2020, prohibits operation of “a gym, fitness centre, training studio, yoga studio, exercise room , or similar facility”. File attached for reference. So, no HIIT or Yoga for now. 
  • The Board discussed the possibility of holding a Town Hall Meeting in June. We will use our best judgement based on provincial guidelines and the risks to all people involved.
  • Field Utility Board Meeting rescheduled for May 20, 2020 by conference call. 

6. Constitution Update

Revision done February 11, 2020 to be circulated to Board for comment.