The Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meting on Feb. 8. About 150 gathered at the Sandman Hotel to attend the event.
One of the big announcements of the evening was that the new Chamber of Commerce Building — The Confluence — will be ready for occupancy by the end of March. This $6.7 million project has been in the works for many years. The 7000-sq.ft. building under construction at 1995 6th Ave. will host the Chamber, the Visitor Centre, an Economic Development office, Destination Castlegar, a 50-person capacity board room and community-use spaces.
The project has recieved about $5 million in grant funding from various government agencies and other organizations.
Stuart Ady stepped down at the organization’s board president and handed that role over to local realtor Jo-Ann Bursey.
The Board of Directors for 2023-2024:
• Stuart Ady - Past President (Ernie’s Used Auto Parts - Owner)
• Jo-Ann Bursey - President (Century 21 Executives Realty Ltd.)
• Hedin Nelson-Chorney - 1st Vice President (Tailout Brewing - Owner)
• Stewart Doney - 2nd Vice President (Innov8 Account Manager)
• Jane Charest - Treasurer (Sandman Hotel - General Manager)
• Marc Conacher (Windborne B&B - Owner)
• Margeaux Bauman (Kootenay Valley Water & Spas - Owner)
• Marcella Chernoff (Goat FM - Executive)
• Kerry Clarke (Selkirk College - Vice President)
• Kassie Morrison (Little Bear Golf Course - Owner/GM)
• Kathleen Elias (Kootenay Society for Community Living - Executive Director)
• Josh Bellamy (Mercer Celgar - Managing Director)
• Joanna Swanson-Kutasewich (WorkBC - Senior Manager)
The Chamber’s staff team includes Tammy Verigin-Burk (executive director), Ashley Costa (membership and visitor centre manager), Andrea Ryman (Destination Castlegar marketing coordinator), Christina Allen (business recovery advisor) and Cym Lamont (bookkeeper).
READ MORE: City of Castlegar says it did not receive an offer from BC Housing for former Rona site