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(Left to right): Ryan Wilhelm, JCI Kootenay & Cranbrook Chess Club member; Markus Brown, President, JCI Kootenay; Kaylyn Gervais, Manager, Community Relationships East, Columbia Basin Trust; Mayor Lee Pratt; Hans Dekkers, Cranbrook Chess Club and Peyman Pezeshki, Cranbrook Chess Club. Photo courtesy of the City of Cranbrook.

Cranbrook, BC (January 28, 2021) – The parkette - a great new community gathering space downtown, next to City Hall on 10^th Avenue South is now officially complete, thanks to partners including JCI Kootenay, the Cranbrook Chess Club and the Columbia Basin Trust.

The parkette is another important piece of the City’s ongoing effort to actively enhance Cranbrook’s downtown core.  Other initiatives over the years have included the downtown patio bylaw, permanent art placements, the sculpture walk and community events like the Fall Festival and Winter Blitzville.

“This is a great addition which makes use of a previously wasted space. The tables will provide a nice place to play chess, checkers or other board games while enjoying the weather and fresh air,” says Mayor Lee Pratt. “Thank you to the Cranbrook Chess Club, JCI Kootenay, and Columbia Basin Trust for their partnership and contributions toward this project.”

The parkette space had fallen into significant disrepair and was identified by staff as an area of high potential for improvement to help further revitalize the downtown. The parkette now has a complete resurface of the area in stamped concrete, a covered pavilion, outdoor furnishings, landscaping, and perimeter screening.

“JCI Kootenay is proud to have been part of developing this space into a place people can gather,” says JCI representative Ryan Wilhelm. “We are incredibly happy with the way the parkette turned out and we look forward to the many years of enjoyment this space will bring the community.”

“Improving and enhancing multi-use spaces creates a community asset where people can gather and meet in a comfortable and safe place,” said Will Nixon, Columbia Basin Trust Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits. “As well, outdoor public spaces, like Cranbrook’s new downtown park, help support the social and economic well-being of communities. This park will be well used by locals and visitors alike.”

The total project cost was $99,964. The City of Cranbrook contributed $21,500 to the project including in-kind contributions from the Public Works department. Special thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust for their contribution of $75,000 through the Outdoor Revitalization grant, along with donations from JCI Kootenay ($3500), the Cranbrook Chess Club and for $8300 in in-kind contributions from local businesses Fabrite Services, TriKon Precast and Kootenay Granite.