Waneta Sunshine Rotary

About Steve
At our meeting on January 22nd Mayor of Fruitvale Steve Morissette gave us a snapshot of what’s going on in our community. Steve was born and raised in Fruitvale graduating from JL Crowe High School in 1975. He apprenticed as a red seal automotive technician, running Apple Automotive until he went to work the School district as an auto technician. When the Trail School board amalgamated with Castlegar he was promoted and eventually became head of operations, in charge of everything except education. In his career he built three new schools and demolished the old ones. He is very proud to have helped recycle 95% of the demolition of JL Crowe, avoiding sending it to the landfill.

He has been married to Kelly for 43 years and they had 5 boys, one of whom died from SIDS and four grandchildren. when he retired early he set up classic car restoration from his workshop. He was ready to run for council when he was asked and after one term he ran successfully for mayor and is now half way through his term.

Fruitvale
In the 1890s Beaver siding was the first stop after the border and depended on lumber and railways. The name was changed to Fruitvale to promote the area

Steve ran on a platform of being more transparent and financially stable. He is pleased that this is happening with more communication to taxpayers. In January of 2020 the village held an open house to present their masterplan for the proposed Middle school project, at 8am on a Saturday and 70 people attended.

Most communities across Canada have a sustainability deficit in terms of infrastructure. Upgrades are needed and it means applying for grants to finance projects. The village has worked to make the garbage and water services pay for themselves.

An increased tax base would help pay for the upgrades needed, more businesses and residential. The village has purchased land beside the creek by the liquor store with the intent of adding a park to the Memorial hall. With upgrades to the hall it will be used for outdoor weddings. It will also attract people downtown and boost businesses.

Creekside park retaining wall is crumbling and needs replacement. The plan is to put in a community garden as part of the project.

Phase 1 of the middle school housing development will be 4 duplex units on Columbia Gardens road together with a childcare centre in conjunction with Beaver Valley nursery school who will operate it. Phase 2 is the demolition which will cost 1.5 M$ for which the village is pursuing a grant with BC housing. The third phase is 28 housing units where the middle school now stands. There will be no single family dwellings. The childcare centre is really needed in the valley as there is a dearth of childcare spaces. Part of the project is the revamping of Haines park which at present is only used a few months of the year. to make it usable all year there will be walking trails and a water park together with benches. The beer gardens structure will get a new roof and there will be a stage. This will make the park usable most of the year with a permanent venue for musicians and performances.

Scott Wetherford of Atco Lumber is working with Burlington Northern to amend the lease so that a replica train station can be built adjacent to the tracks. It would have a small meeting space as well as display are for the historical society. Beaver Valley recreation will manage this together with the park siding school which will be moved downtown. We want to build a vibrant active downtown area to attract businesses and families to live in Fruitvale.

Other initiatives the council is undertaking are to make Fruitvale the first West Kootenay Living wage community (at $18.85 per hour). They are considering a resolution to bcome carbon neutral.

Another new business venture is the Renewable energy project starting up 8km E of Fruitvale. It will use waste wood to make natural gas and create 30 to 35 permanent jobs.