Community Services 411

[ Back ]

EMERGENCY SERVICES:

Area A presently has two fire departments, one in Wynndel and another in Riondel. Residents are working to develop a third for Crawford Bay/Kootenay Bay. There are three sets of first responders, in Wynndel, Boswell and Riondel. Of those, Riondel is equipped with a Jaws of Life. Call 911 for these.

HEALTH SERVICES

Area A falls within the boundaries of two hospital districts, one in the East Kootenays (Cranbrook and Creston) and the other in the West Kootenays (Nelson and Trail). There is a small Health Centre in Crawford Bay with a doctor in attendance two days a week, home health nurses and a physiotherapist. East Shore Community Health Centre 250-227-9006

In Riondel, there is also a Red Cross group that lends items needed during recuperation (wheel chairs, canes, raised toilet seats, etc.). Contact Lauren Salviulo at 250-225-3252.

SCHOOLS & LIBRARIES

A new K -12 school is being built in Crawford Bay, and is expected to be ready for January 2009. We are especially proud of our vegetarian school lunch program, which serves exceptionally delicious food. The community is working to ensure the new school will have a wing for community events, plus space for a day-care facility.

Kootenay Lake School District 8 (Crawford Bay School) 250-227-9218

There are two reading rooms in Area A, one in Crawford Bay at 16234 King (250-227-6960); and another in Riondel, at the Community Centre, 1511 Eastman Avenue (250-225-3242)

POST OFFICES

Riondel, Crawford Bay, Gray Creek and Boswell have full service post offices. In Riondel, it is at the Riondel Market, 1504 Eastman Avenue. In Crawford Bay, it is located off Hwy. 3A, behind the Crawford Bay Store. In Gray Creek it is located at the Lakeview Store. The Boswell PO is on the east side of Hwy 3A in Boswell.

PARKS

There are two provincial parks in Area A: Lockhart Creek near Twin Bays, with a beach and campground, and Pilot Point near Kootenay Bay, with an extensive trail system and camping accessible by foot and boat. Several more parks are being planned that will ensure continued public access to the Area's splendid beaches and forest trails. Boswell, Crawford Bay and Riondel also have community parks which host soccer games and celebrations during the year. The Boswell and Crawford Bay parks are maintained and operated by volunteer boards.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

There are two transfer stations in Area A; one in Crawford Bay at 16798 Crawford Creek Rd. In the winter (Nov 1, 2008 – Mar 7, 2009), it is open from 9-3 on Sundays and Tuesdays. In the summer (Mar 7, 2009 – Oct 31, 2009), it is open 9-3 on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

You can access the recycling bins at the transfer station at any time. These are for paper and cardboard, food cans, glass and plastics. Items such as soda/beer cans, recyclable orange juice cartons, beer/wine bottles can be recycled on Sundays behind Crawford Bay Store. You are paid for these items, but you must know the exact number you are returning.

The second transfer station is in Destiny Bay, 12549 Hwy. 3A. It is open year-round from 12-4 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Recycling bins for glass, cardboard & plastic are also available at the Gray Creek Store; in Riondel at the Community Centre at 1511 Eastman Avenue; and in Wynndel at Wynndel Food & Gas, 5128 Hwy. 3A.
For more info, see: http://www.rdck.bc.ca/environmental/waste/waste_disposal/landfills_transfer_stations.html
Electronics can be recycled in Nelson, at the Nelson Leafs Bottle Depot, 120 Silica St. (250-354-4922) They are open 7 days a week, 10-4:30, except holidays. For more info on BC’s electronics recycling program, see: http://www.newgen.ca/resources/BC_Electronics_Recycling_Program.aspx

RIONDEL COMMISSION OF MANAGEMENT

Riondel is the only East Shore community with an elected municipal body which oversees the community’s facilities – the Community Centre, water supply, and recycling. Its offices are in the Community Centre at 1511 Eastman Avenue. 250-225-3262. www.riondel.ca

A recreation committee oversees the municipal campground, golf course and curling club.

CHURCHES

In Riondel: Most Holy Redeemer is the Catholic Church, located on Eastman Ave. (250-428-2300) Riondel Community Church, Eastman Ave. – 250-225-3246/250-225-3540

In Crawford Bay: Harrison Memorial Anglican Church on Crawford Creek Rd. (250-225-3576 for info) and the Kootenay Lake Community Church, 16190 Hwy 3A, 250-227-9444 This church also has a youth organization.
In Boswell: St. Anselm’s Anglican Church on Hwy. 3A. Services are the first Sunday of each month. For info, call Sharon Lymbery, 250-227-9448.