On Monday August 31, 2026 community members, supporters, funders and project coordinators came together for the official groundbreaking ceremony of the new EVR Summit Centre adjacent to the Fernie Aquatic Centre.
The facility, developed and operated by the Elk Valley Field House Society (EVFHS) with construction by Elevate Construction Partners, will provide a much needed indoor recreational and gathering space for residents of the Elk Valley region. The project cost will be just over $4,000,000.
The Centre will feature a multi-use indoor space for a wide range of recreational, sporting and community needs since the unexpected and prompt closure of the Fernie Community Centre two years ago. This facility project was championed by a group of citizens and community groups immediately upon the City's closure of the Community Centre which had caused much distress and disappointment throughout the valley.
The new EVR Summit Centre will be three times larger than the Fernie Community Centre, offer over 4,000 hours of community use within a 18,000 square foot space. The project team is aiming for an opening winter 2027.
For more details visit https://www.thesummitcentre.com/
Additonal funders and donations are still needed to support further elements of the Centre. Donate Today!
The EVFHS is grateful for all the community support and project funders to date, including the land by the City of Fernie under a long-term 60 year lease to EVFHS. The Fernie Academy has also provided a three-year $2,000,000 loan to allow for immediate construction while fundraising and grant work continues, including an application for federal funding under Pacifican.
Confirmed funders to date includes:
- $1,000,000 Elk Valley Resources (EVR)
- $525,000 Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI)- Provincial Tourism Funding via the City of Fernie
- $500,000 Columbia Basin Trust
- $40,000 Tourism Fernie Society
- $10,000 Fernie Youth Soccer Association
- $10,000 Peacock Hospitality (Owners of the Fernie Fox Hotel)
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Signage and shovels for EVR Summit Centre Groundbreaking Event
Local youth celebrating the Groundbreaking Event for the EVR Summit Centre
Heidi Gravelle Chief for Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqǂiʾit First Nation
Community members at the EVR Summit Centre groundbreaking event
EVR Team at EVR Summit Centre Groundbreaking Event
Mayor of Fernie Nic Milligan at EVR Summit Centre event
Project Team Shovel Dirt Signifying Start of Construction