Still going... but slowly!

Here we are. It is almost the end of 2009. We're still progressing, but slowly. We have re-routed some electrical and plumbing to make the front space as wide open as possible.

Last week we had flooring installed. We chose custom milled fir flooring. The planks are 6" wide, are tongue and groove and were pre-drilled then screwed to the floor - seriously solid flooring!Note the spelling - my neice, who loves animals, was a little alarmed when she overheard a conversation as she imagined fur flooring. I assure you, we will not be skinning any rabbits for our floors!

Seeing the flooring has really inspired me with ideas for the layout in the front. I struggled for quite a while. I wanted the space to really reflect how much we cared about the building, to make a positive impression for people walking past. I really hope people will like what I have come up with - my goal is to honor the past, infuse some modern design and thinking outside the box (like a metaphor for what is needed in Crowsnest).

So here is a quick picture showing the flooring. I also threw in one picture of the finished suite's entrance at night. As much as the expenses for the building have gone waaaaay beyond anything I budgeted for, the reward has been well worth it. Our former financial adviser got very upset with me because I was willing to throw so much money at the building. My argument: I'd rather spend my money on the Bellevue Building, to make a difference (I hope), to feel immense personal satisfaction, and PERHAPS make money off it someday than invest in faceless corporations run by greedy executives.

A long process

So here we are. The exterior is finally starting to look like something. This started with a sketch almost a year ago after 2 years of trying to figure out what this building could become.

Still to come is stain on the rear of the building. Not sure about the color yet - and the weather is too cool for any stain until spring so we have time to think about that. The front entry picture is to show the detail of the pot-lights that highlight the old tin ceiling tiles.

Next up: front suite and commercial space. All new floors, framing, electrical, plumbing, door, windows, bathroom - at least with a list like that it should be cheap.

Stay tuned for upcoming pics.

Have we made a difference yet? Who knows. We have had a number of people offering some very positive feedback. We have seen the hotel across the road take the first steps towards cleaning up.

I have included some pictures to get an idea of how things look heading into an early winter.

Things are looking up

Mine has been one of the many voices out there talking about the need to clean up, the need to paint and primp things. Well, as Andrea and I often do, we drove around the area a couple weekends ago. I have to say, this amazing spot in the Rockies is changing for the better. The overall look and feel is starting to be one of a small town with appreciation for mountains, the outdoors, history and charming individuality. I ask all those who have been complaining for a long time about the need for more general community pride - drive around, take a look, try to remember the way things looked just 5 years ago.



And in a related note. Here's the update for our place in Bellevue. Remember, our building was 1 part 1927 cool historic commercial building and 2 parts ugly additions from the '50s and '70s. Well, now the building keeps that 1 good part and adds 2 parts almost completely reconstructed (new structure, wiring, plumbing, flooring, roof...). In the end we'll have (this weeks plan at least) 1 bachelor pad, 1 larger 1 bedroom unit, 1 larger again 2 bedroom unit. For now the focus has been the bachelor pad so we have a place to stay when we are down to do work and on making the place look and feel inspiring from the outside.
So...

Next step the remainder of the new roof is installed including the tin wrapping around the back. At that point I'll be able to complete the installation of the siding - don't want to have it exposed to excessive rain. Then, the interior work on the front and rear suites gets rolling. I believe Paul and Robert have me booked in for "when the weather gets too bad for all the outdoor jobs they have lined up". Fair enough - just nice to have great guys we can count on.

Now... at some point I have a new mountain bike trail to build. I just want 5 full days, my chainsaw, a pick axe and a macleod.

What is Crowsnest Pass?

I am an owner of a small retail shop. A bicycle shop to be exact. The statistics for the bike retail business does not paint a rosey picture. The number of bike shops in North America has been declining steadily for about 20 years. The number of large chain box stores has obviously been increasing. To keep a viable business and to compete against box stores I know I have to do a better job - better than I used to do and better than what the competitors are doing now. I am a keen reader of anything touching upon the psychology of the consumer and the market - especially stuff that helps the little guy compete in a market jammed full of big guys. I'm a keen observer - always remarking or critical of business operations. I'm in my 7th year of business, we're in the grasp of a serious recession, half the people out there think exercise is something to be done a their Wii, we have an aging population and my business is thriving. I will allow this success to go to my head and call myself somewhat of an expert in business and Marketing. I'll even be pompous and say, if you haven't started a business with virtually nothing, built up that business, experienced the challenges and sleepless nights, been up against strong, wealthy competitors and succeeded - unless you've gone through it and created something successful, you don't know squat.

So now that I'm the expert, I'm going to offer free, expert ideas for Crowsnest Pass. Why? Well, I hate waste. I hate "throw away society". I like things that are authentic - people, places, whatever. It all culminates in a place called Crowsnest Pass - an authentic place, with authentic people, with a chance to save and celebrate its history rather than wasting and losing it.

So my title to this post is "What is Crowsnest Pass?". This is the question any business or person has to ask themselves before they can either improve or work with what they have. For this purpose, I'm going to consider the Pass as a business; one that needs an identity, needs direction, needs to know its strengths and its weeknesses and one that needs to know how to compete and essentially take business away from its competitors. If anyone says a town isn't a business, I say wrong. This town is a struggling business. It is losing population and soon will lose services if things don't get fixed. Crowsnest Pass needs to attract visitors, businesses and residents. As I have pointed out, I am an expert and I say for Crowsnest to compete, it has to find a couple things that differentiate it from other little towns then enhance those things then get the image in people's heads that Crowsnest Pass is about something - now what is that something?

We need to find our niche. Yes we're in the mountains and yes there is nature around and yes you can do stuff here but I would argue that none of these features are outstanding when compared to our competitors. There are more spectacular mountains, more prestine wilderness, world class ski hills, immense trail networks with great signage, watersports etc. But the places with these things have been exploited to the point where there is no remaining soul. The Pass has history and soul - sell that and let our mountains, recreation, scenery - let that all be icing on the cake.

Municipality: without knowing the details of the formation of the municipality all I can do is comment about a couple things. The word "municipality" is the least charming description I have ever heard for a place. Hamlets and Villages are romantic, Towns have history. Cities are impressive but the word Municipality creates no emotion and is just a corporate description - if anything, I hear municipality and I think about property taxes - not a great emotional connection. Municipality is a corporate description and should be lost from any and all references to the area.

This brings up a competitive advantage for Crowsnest (note I do not use the word "Pass"). For the sake of subtle suggestions in marketing and product naming. Crowsnest is, in fact, a place where baby crows stay - Crows are tough, glizzled animals yet nest is a very welcoming image. Pass is a way to get through or over something. Lets keep the message: tough grizzled place I'd like to stay, from now on, this is "Crowsnest". Sorry, I got off track. Competitive advantage; within Crowsnest we have 5 distinct towns each with their own story, history, tragedy, personality. Rather than being a municipality and wiping the personality from Crowsnest, how about playing with the richness of these 5 towns (and couple surrounding Ghost Towns too!). Seems ironic that Frank, the smallest town in Crowsnest is the one with the best known story and biggest tourism draw. There is so much to draw from: 3 remaining commercial areas that could each be attractions on their own (after some well thought out restoration and business stimulus - especially in Bellevue). The tragedy of Frank Slide, the tragedy of the Hillcrest Mining Desaster, the only woman hanged in Alberta, Bellevue shootout, the almost tragedy of forest fire, heroic fire fighting, the multiple fires in Coleman and Bellevue, the plane crash by Coleman, the numerous old mining sites, the cool creations in the creek above Flummerfelt, the wind, crooks stealing piles of money from investors with promise of fantastic returns and Las Vegas style resorts (oops got off track). This is interesting stuff when presented well you know!

The new pathway system - I sure hope the talked about 27 km of trail happens! where else could a family go and explore 5 different towns, each with their own story from the comfort of a bicycle - not worrying about being hit by cars, while riding through areas of beauty, tragedy, history, shopping, exploring. Perhaps us mountain bikers can build some sections of adjacent singletrack off-road trails so the thrill seekers can get some extra thrills along the way.

Do you see where I'm going with this? We need a strong story - a way visitors can describe Crowsnest in a few short sentances. We become a place to go to, not drive through.

To Be Continued... must go work.

Old school optimism - new school research. Be Happy.

I just spent some time cruising through my old posts. I guess I must be seen as the goofy optimistic guy in Bellevue by now. As far back as I can remember, optimism and dreams have guided me. I don't know if it is cause or effect but I'm getting awefully close to 40 years old and I'm pretty darned happy with where life is and how life has unfolded for me.
I listened to a converstation about a super-interesting study on CBC radio last week. The study's purpose was essentially to see if optimistic, happy people see things differently than those who have a more negative twist. The study went like this: 2 groups were established. The members of group 1 were shown happy pictures like puppies and babies (I assume rare, non-crying babies) and other "feel good" stuff. In group 2 the members were shown sadder stuff, not brutal stuff but just sadder - like people crying and stuff. After viewing these photos, the members of each group were shown an image on a page. In reality the page had a central, high contrast image that was surrounded by a lower contrast, subtle larger image. Those people who had looked at the sad images only saw the focused image in the center. Those who looked at happy images immediately saw that there were 2 distinct images. The conclusion: happy, optimistic people actually see their surroundings in a different way - they see more than their sad counterparts.
This study only touches on the impact of happiness and optimism. I'm sure somebody will do a study that finds that happy, optimistic people have more to be happy about in the end. A positive attitude attracts positive experiences. Someone will discover that health is improved by having a positive outlook. Someone will find that he who finishes with the most happy experiences is better off than he who finishes with the most stuff.

Paint and a Pane of Glass Anyone?

This is the view from my little window bench paradise. I can gaze at my favourite mountain - yup, that one behind the buildings is my favourite. It ain't spectacular but from its summit I can look back down at Bellevue, Frank, Blairmore, Hillcrest, Turtle Mountain, The Slide, The Prairies, see eagles soaring overhead, explore old mine-workings and I can ride my bike all the way down from the top. That is one inspiring lump of earth!

Below my beloved mountain is my beloved town of Bellevue. How can the owners of all those beautiful little commercial buildings just leave them the way they are. Bellevue's little downtown is about 20 gallons of paint, one pane of glass, and a few hours of focused effort away from being something amazing. We already have the ice-cream shop who know how to keep a building's charm intact and I'm sure would love to fuel the effort. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SOMEBODY! Everyone complains that the municipality does this or doesn't do that. Bellevue could be the inspiration of the Pass and all through the efforts and passion of the residents/building owners. Does anyone want to start a "Beautify Bellevue" fund/association/group/club?

I received the following email a few days ago and have heard a great deal of promising feedback about what we're doing. The momentum is starting. Change is near.

Greetings,It is so refreshing to find someone with a dream that is willing to work on building something here in Bellevue, and in the Pass.We need more people like you. We bumped into Paul last weekend in Stone's Throw - has there seems to be a lot of curiousity about what is going on in downtown. Also it is great to see someone that can appreciate the heritage factor. That appeal is what makes places like Ft. Macleod stand out. A Qwikee Mart does not have much heritage value to it. We moved here because of several of the reasons you stated on your brainstorming.It is nice to see someone with some faith and optimism!
I wish you every success!

1 Day Weekend

Another weekend "Passed". The regular routine; drive down Saturday night, stay up late to try and absorb all the little things that have changed then try to sleep with all the excitement. This weeks visual change was the window bench. Robert and Paul, I think, questioned this silly idea of setting the one large window in the middle suite out enough to create a little spot to sit inside. My mind's eye could see it and knew it was a must. Now that it is done Robert and Paul seem to realize what we were after and the little chunk of extra space means so much when dealing with such a small suite.

Our motive on all 3 suites is quality of space not quantity. The world has enough large box houses covered in pastel stucco with measurements suited more to schools than families. Our idea of quality space is providing visual interest, warmth through natural colour, ergonomics and catering to those subconcious senses that know when a place is inviting. We are struggling more and more with motivating ourselves to leave on Sunday nights - I think we have, if nothing else, designed a place that makes us feel relaxed and inspired. 1 down - 2 more suites to go.

a great ride and more excitement about the building

The long weekend just passed. For me a long weekend means 2 days off in a row. I can't believe I have been somewhat a prisoner to my business for 7 years now - I own the keys to my own prison cell was something I heard from a retail shop owner years ago.

Anyways. I choose not to whine about my business. I own a bicycle shop that is doing really well - making a living while surrounded by one of my biggest passions is pretty awesome.

Saturday finished off a pretty dismal sales week in the shop in a pretty good way - as in we did almost enough on Saturday to make up for a slow week. It also meant the trip down was delayed and we only arrived in Bellevue at about 10:30PM Saturday night. Andrea and I stood in the parking lot just stunned gazing at the ever evolving shape of our building. After 2 years of driving up to the same beat-down, leaking, begging-for-mercy building it is surreal to see something slightly different, something more attractive every week.

During the week I had a little chat with Robert (one of our super-reno dudes) and we decided the boardwalk at the rear of the building was so nice that we'd go the full length. Andrea and I had been looking at all these ideas for finishing the crappy, utilityesque concrete and it wasn't until the chat with Robert that continuing the boardwalk was the perfect idea.

We are now patiently awaiting the arrival of our roofing material and we also need to figure out what we want (and can afford) for siding all the new construction.

Sunday rolled around and we headed to Stone's Throw (who have a pretty rad new website by the way) http://www.stonesthrowcafe.ca/ . We met up with Mike (the other main man at Bike Bros. http://www.bikebros.ca/) and his wife Adrian and little dude Isaac for great grub. We met up at the Bellevue shack and Mike and I decided to tackle Great Riddance. We are manly men who like pushing our bikes for 2hrs plus for 30 minutes of great gravity-fueled fun. See the pics for yourself.

The weather on Monday was aweful. Neither Andrea or I cared because we had (still have too) lots to do with the building. Andrea put sealer on all the fir trim which made it even more beautiful while I got to pull out a hammer and start removing the miscellaneous nails and chunks of wood stuck to&in a couple of the beams in the front section of the building. A great visit. Leaving was hard. Getting harder every time.

new pictures

Facad, slowly coming along...
The boardwalk/deck makes the rear suite start to feel a little tastier. Funny how the mind sometimes can't compute how a small change in layout or appearances will change the overall impression. Stepping up onto the boardwalk then into the future rear suite fell like so different - $400 worth of wood making so much difference in overall feel.
Crowsnest Pass feels like it is at a similar metaphoric stage. I don't know where that magical $400 (metaphoric of course) needs to be spent but the Pass is so close to having that initial impression that knocks people's socks off. Like this building, the foundations exist, the changes have started and for the most part there are a few cosmetic changes on the way to totally transform things. These are exciting times for all of us who have always seen Crowsnest Pass through the rose-colored glasses - glasses half full with optimism.

Just an update on the building

What a change. Saturday night, after an absolute gong-show day at the shop (yup people are still buying bicycles) Andrea and I got rolling at about 7:00PM. The roads were quiet. There was no snow or ice. Our biggest challenge was handling the weeble-wobble van - being driven because we grabbed a log bed. I will take this opportunity to say the Chevy Astrovan is perhaps the most useful minivan - tons of room, yet it is also perhaps one of the biggest pieces of gas-gulping crap ever produced. (I'm secretly thinking I might be jinxing my relative good luck with the van that was once a money swallowing lemon, but has become a very valuable furniture/appliance carrier).

We made it home to Bellevue by 9:30. We had the great fortune of the radio dying a number of times which forced us to hear re-runs of the news, then some CBC stuff on AM.

Showing up in Bellevue has become our self induced surprise. We make a point of not talking too much to Robert and Paul, the awesome dudes doing the reno, because don't want to know what to expect. It is great having 2 guys to work with who totally "get" what we're after so they just kinda run with the project.

This is what we arrived to see (exterior pics) and how far we were able to get on final touches on the interior (not exterior pics).

Brief Thought...

Problem: Bellevue's old downtown is a ghost town. Buildings have been sitting for years with plywood covered windows, peeling paint and no commercial tennants. Bigger problem is that these buildings are probably being neglected leading to serious damage.

The commercial zoning of these buildings in an area with no demand for retail space makes these buildings virtually impossible to sell - nobody can get money from a bank no matter how cheap the space is.
Is there a type of zoning that will allow people to officially live in the fronts of these spaces while still leaving the opportunity for business use in the future? If the bulk of these old buildings were rezoned to allow residential use in the storefronts could the municipality tell people, "yup, you can live in there but you have to restore your building to a heritage standard - essentially forcing people to restore the fronts in exchange for zoning that would make living in.... and convince banks to allow financing of"
Imagine just a couple of the old store fronts fixed up. Signs of light and life at night in just a couple storefronts. Nice heritage colors. Next thing we have turned Bellevue's old downtown back into a beautiful spot where maybe a little shop or 2 and a cafe would want to be. A beautiful, authentic little piece of paridise in the mountains. Sounds better than letting these buildings and the history they represent fall into disrepair.
There are people out there with dreams of finding their own personal mountain paradise. These people want to live idealistic lives. They want to be a part of a community. They want to be a part of something funky and fun. Bellevue's old downtown could be alive with color, light, life, personality, celebration of history, ideas. I know there are people who will find this crazy. Please let what I'm doing in my old building give some idea of the possibilities we have in Bellevue. This old forgotten downtown could help attract new types of residents, inspire new ideas, bring more visitors who will export better impressions of the Pass. This place used to be a coal mine. It is now a gold mine of possibilities.

Quick building update

First unit: almost done.

Front and rear unit: need doing.

Facad: happening...

Cost: adding up fast

Reward: priceless.

Great Fun

So Sunday came around this week and guess what? Off to Crowsnest. On the agenda: look at progress with the building, attend a meeting with a bunch of holiday home owners, stuff ourselves at Stone's Throw and go for a late season XC ski.
1. The building is coming along. We can actually imagine sleeping in a bed, with a functioning bathroom in a civilized version of the indoor camping we have been doing for 2 years.
2. We met some really nice people with great ideas. Felt really great chatting with a group of people who's goals revolved around creating great experiences for visitors to Crowsnest Pass and trying to convince people to continue visiting in the future. You can see some of these places at: http://www.crowsnestpassholidayhomes.com
3. It is always my favourite part of visiting the Pass. Steve (Stone's Throw) and I have a gift for acting like 10 year old best-buds whenever we get together. There is nothing wrong with acting like an idiot and just laughing sometimes.
4. XC skiing: This should be a post on its own. Cross Country skiing for many is supposed to include perfect track-set conditions or it just isn't fun. The tracks were a mess but I had an awesome time. People tend to get upset when conditions aren't what they expect - enjoyment is only possible for them if everything goes as expected. Well for me in this case, I was laughing my ass off because the skis were impossible to control, there was too much grip in a couple spots and none in all the other spots. I was surrounded by a beautiful day, nature and the coolest forest anywhere. It wasn't a conscious decision like "this sucks, but I must be more positive and have a good experience." This was a tiny example of living in the moment and appreciating the fun of the unexpected in beautiful surroundings. Hey, kinda like a life lesson. Hmmmm?
Perhaps my next post will have to include a V8 engine or a motorcycle before people start thinking I'm a little fruity.

Update of the building

Just wanted to give a visual update of the progress. I don't want to say too much about what the plans are - I prefer to surprise people with pictures. As you can see (if you have amazing vision), there are new windows in the rear of the building. There is also a new, wood construction, well insulated, hurricane strapped/framed rear third of the building.

There is an extremely large beam that we discovered when the lath&plaster ceiling was removed - the ceiling was destroyed and had been hidden above a TBar ceiling. Glad to see the TBar go. Happy with thoughts of exposed massive beams overhead.

The second picture is a teaser of the middle suite. It is now completely painted and awaiting fir t&g flooring and a kitchen install.

My next blog will be a charity blog asking for donations towards the ongoing renovation of a 1927 commercial building in Crowsnest Pass. Boy, is this more rewarding than RRSP contributions!

That Thing

So yesterday I drove down to Bellevue to paint in interior of the "middle suite" in the building. Of course, I ran into a snow storm - the 5th one I have driven through in the last 5 weeks of back and forthing to the Pass. If anyone out there is a son or daughter of Mother Nature, could you please take out the garbage, do the dishes or clean your room - your mom is in a bad mood!
One of the benefits of doing a 5 hour round trip on a regular basis is that you become very relaxed and tend to do some soul searching (or you think about business) - this time it was soul searching.
What is it about Crowsnest Pass, I was thinking. Well as strange as it sounds because I tell anyone who will listen that the scenery is amazing, there are these forgotten parts of history, the mountaing biking is great etc.. The one thing that really has put Crowsnest Pass over the top is the people. For Andrea and I we first met "locals" when we became instant friends with Steve and Jessica at Stone's Throw - through them we met more people and through them even more. The people, especially those who have made a conscious life-choice to move to the Pass seem to have a few great things in common - I will make a list because I don't put much thought into my posts and this is as close to organized as I can get.

1. Non-materialistic: people know there is more to life than a bigger house, larger vehicle, a better this or fancier that. This is so refreshing.
2. Lifestyle seekers: there are people who want to live in an outdoorsy town because it is cool or represents some sort of status and there are those who absolutely love the outdoors and want to immerse their lives in it - I think we all know which applies to those in the Pass.
3. Passion for Community: I have yet to meet people with so much interest in their municipal politics. This is where I put a positive spin on how "locals" see it. I know everyone I chat with has serious misgivings about the current state of municipal politics in Crowsnest - partly because things are a mess and partly because people actually notice its a mess and care enough to talk about it. The attitude in most towns is "who cares about politics." Sure there are political issues but the point is that the people really care!
4. Willingness to Help: Be it trailbuilding, volunteering with events or helping when someone's (in this case, mine) building has been damaged in a storm - many of the people I have met are extremely generous with lending a hand. I was going to start listing people who I have noticed lending a hand but it includes too many people whos names I don't recall.
5. That "je ne sais qua". Jeez people are great to chat with, are welcoming, generous, funny - all combined - it is great people.

The relevance of this stuff comes full circle for me. When I was 8, my parents moved the family from South Africa to Canada. My dad at the time was 38, my mom 40. While my parents absolutely love Canada and appreciate the great lives we have all had here, I know they have one regret about the move. They left behind a group of friends who all had that "something special" kind of friendship. As a small child I could even tell. Groups of families 4x4ing in the mountains of Lesotho or hiking or going to nature reserves - me and my parents were surrounded by like minded people. Since moving to Canada, I know my parents missed it and so did I - not feeling much of a connection with people (or not often at least). So here I am. I'm 38; the same age as when my dad left those friends and that place behind. I'm realizing I have found that place where people like me feel at home.

I am now going to grab a power tool and make some noise - far too "feely" for me.

Taking Steps

We are taking steps to move to Crowsnest Pass. The building we love is both a potential home and potential income. We are spending money like there is no tomorrow and developing our old Brazzoni Building and turning it into Minestead - Holiday Vacation Homes.http://www.minestead.com/

I love creating logos and graphics so now you have to look at this:

Finally we can quit whining and start doing things that help add some charm to Bellevue while getting us one step closer to being able to move.

How to save a shrinking community

Crowsnest Pass is amazing, beautiful, full of historic charm, and experiencing a decline in population. I want to suggest some ideas with my usual lack of logic or order to bring population back to Crowsnest Pass.
1. People need to move here. Wow, and you thought these would be intellectual insights and instead you get the obvious "duuuhhhh" answer. Sometimes the obvious has to be stated.
2. Why do people choose to move? If we can figure out people's motives, we can try to meet them.

• Job opportunities.
• Entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Lifestyle/Ideals.
• Be close to family
• Get away from an unpleasant place
• Facilities: athletes go where they can train, families go where their kids can be kept busy etc.
• Educational Institutions.
• Health. Special clinics or to escape pollutants, allergens.
• Affordability.
• Cool factor.

3. For almost all people, they simply can't just move somewhere - they need to be able to make a living.

4. Business has to be created to bring outside dollars into the region. Tourism brings in outside dollars but has to attract the customer to the area. For true economic benefit, businesses that sell products or services to far reaching and varied regions are most desirable.

5. Crowsnest Pass should work at attracting educational institutions to the area. Say a branch of SAIT or UofL. I'm sure there are niches with education - what are they? What unique features of the Pass would be of interest educationally?

6. Bring education and you lay the foundations for future families and short term prosperity. We all know students are poor yet they throw around money like crazy - great for the area. We also know students need jobs - allowing local industry an endless resource of skilled and unskilled labour.

7. Chase a dream or two. Find a couple things that Crowsnest Pass could be world famous for - besides wind and mountains that fall over. I personally think Crowsnest Pass could be a mountain bike mecca - seems like a tiny thing but research the economic impact of mountain biking on places like Moab, UT, Fruita, CO, Downieville, CA, Kamloops, BC or Whistler, BC. With the proximity to Calgary, Crowsnest Pass could be the most easilly reached affordable cycling mecca in North America. Adventure racing: We already have Full Moon in June, Sinister 7, Trans Rockies etc. Extreme Sports; build facilities for the crazy youth to learn their skills.

8. Now I'm tired: brainstorming done.

How does this work?

I'm not much for blogging. This is my first attempt and I thought after putting my heart and sole (and at least 45 minutes of my valuable time) into this thing - I thought I'd have people emailing saying how they love old buildings or some other flavor of feel goodness.
So how does someone like myself get the message out? Where are other people who love cool old buildings and cool old towns? I know you're out there, when Andrea and I walk around places like Butte, Montana with our jaws dropped in awe we see a few others doing the same. Or Downieville, California - besides being a mountain bike mecca it also drags people from hours away to marvel in its gold-rush-era coolness.
WHERE ARE ALL YOU PEOPLE? Come join me in Crowsnest Pass - lets buy all the unspoiled old buildings and turn this place into heritage eye candy.

Lovin' old commercial buildings

There is something about old-west mining era commercial buildings. There is a generous serving of these buildings across the Western portions of the US and Canada. Unfortunately, many of the areas with these buildings have dying communities where the younger citizens head towards the big cities for education and jobs.

This is my place in Bellevue, Alberta. I bought this in 2006 - basically with no idea of what to do with it but I couldn't stand to see it unappreciated and deteriorating (and the area is basically beautiful and inspiring.)

The original portion of the building was constructed in 1927 by an Italian stone mason with the last name Brazoni. This is one of a couple masonry/brick constructed buildings in Bellevue - the owner had seen much of the town burnt to the ground twice in the previous 25 years.

Since buying the building Andrea (my much better half) and I have started to try to breath some life into the exterior of the building. A frustration I still deal with daily is that the building, if placed in any trendy shopping district would be appreciated, dressed up and making us money. Unfortunately, Bellevue's old downtown is moving toward being a ghost-town. If I had millions of dollars I would buy all the buildings, restore them to their former glory and I'm sure could make financial sense of it all because the town could be such a great tourist trap (while hopefully passing along an appreciation for the history and beauty of so many of these types of towns).

So this is what the building looks like now. The building is my big red & tan bank account - as in, that is where I put my money. Still no "grand plan" but like my business, I can't help but feel like anytime you do something based on passion the money will follow eventually. I'm definitely not working on this place to sell it - much more imagining the place being restored inside and out and hopefully inspiring the surrounding building owners to do the same. At the moment, plans have us converting the space into 4 residential suites with a small commercial space (maybe a gallery/studio) in the front. What time, economic recession, money, trades-workers and dreams will allow is the big unknown.

Hopefully this blog gets some direction

What the heck am I doing here blogging. My business website needs updating and I'm the only person I can afford to do it - so I really should get my ass in gear and do that. I don't know if, after looking at a couple blogs, I feel like I need to pay back the blog world with some words of my own. Who knows.
In the future I imagine whining about owning a bicycle shop, then being thrilled by it. I might talk about how I hate our throw away society and constant push to own more stuff, bigger stuff, stuff that needs plugging in. Then to throw a wrench into the works I'll talk about my love of old buildings - especially commercial buildings and how if I could I'd buy them all, restore them and help budding entrepeneurs put together awesome business plans then occupy my old buildings and put the malls and box-stores out of business.
My thoughts are a tossed salad - one day you get lettuce the next you get tomatoes then cheese then onions. My life is awesome.