Tourism Fernie 2025 Annual Report
Recreation Complex Facility & Visitor Information Centre
As highlighted in the Message from the Chair earlier in this document, Tourism Fernie has been researching, planning and investing into future tourism needs and opportunities. Two main projects in 2025 were the development of a Phase 1 Fernie Recreation Feasibility Study and continued collaboration and formal discussions with the Fernie Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fernie regarding the future of the Chamber building and Fernie Visitor Centre.
Recreation Complex Facility – Researching the Opportunity
Tourism Fernie is dedicated to exploring the opportunities and future potential for developing sports and recreational infrastructure. This initiative aims to modernize outdated facilities, enhance community access and service offerings, and create economic benefits by hosting tournaments and events. In late 2024, Tourism Fernie contracted GGA-Architecture to conduct an initial phase feasibility study in 2025. GGA, along with their partner, Orange Crow Leadership, worked together to fulfill the study, which was recently completed in early 2026 including results from a survey conducted with local businesses and organizations about facilities in Fernie.
Initial vision concept by GGA
Tourism Fernie will continue to invest through 2026 in further research and concepts with community partners and stakeholders with an aim to solidify a next phase feasibility study to seek investors, partners and funding for the next stage of facility planning and development.
Tourism Fernie continues to support and work alongside the Elk Valley Field House Society on their recreation facility development scheduled to break ground in 2026.
Visitor Info Centre & Economic Development
2025 furthered steps between Tourism Fernie, the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fernie on the intention to transition the Chamber building lease and VIC partnering agreement from the Chamber to Tourism Fernie, including an MOU to support the effort and investment in the process by the organizations. It is expected that the official agreements will be confirmed in 2026 with the Chamber staying within the building and partnering with Tourism Fernie and the City of Fernie to support community economic development. The broader intention is to develop the site into a modern and innovative facility to support the visitor experience, community and economic development.
34 Report for 12 month fiscal period of January – December, 2025