Come On, Come All
Revelstoke, Balfour and Invermere are creating spaces where everyone can participate and belong.
Lifting Up Patrons
“For over 12 yearsI’ve been getting around by wheelchair, trikes, a scooter,” says Revelstoke resident Chris Miller. “I don’t walk, I roll.”
Like Miller, many Columbia Basin residents have differing needs related to mobility, vision or hearing when it comes to fully accessing community spaces and participating in activities. To lessen barriers, organizations across the region are improving buildings and outdoor spaces, making it easier for everyone to join in.
As a history aficionado, one of Miller’s frequent destinations is the Revelstoke Museum and Archives.
“I love looking at everything at the museum, but Brown Bag History is definitely one of my favourites.”
However, there was a challenge.
“Our program room is on the second floor because there’s not enough space on the first,” says Cathy English, Curator. “We realized we were excluding people.”
The museum received Columbia Basin Trust support through its Basin ARTS program, which helps museums, galleries and live-performance venues become more accessible, welcoming and inclusive. The Trust also offers similar programs for libraries through Basin READS and children’s recreational spaces through Basin REACH.
“The funding we received from the Trust was primarily to help install a lift,” English says. It also supported the addition of an accessible washroom.
By increasing accessibility and inclusion, projects like this help ensure everyone has places to gather and connect. A community where everyone can take part is a community that thrives.
Miller says the new lift is “a necessity for someone like me, for parents with strollers and for anybody who has accessibility challenges. It’s a game changer.”
Play Without Limits
In the West Kootenay community of Balfour, residents work out at the fitness centre while children climb and slide at nearby John Roos Spirit Park.
Recently, the Balfour Recreation Commission upgraded the playground by adding accessible pathways and ramps, adaptive play equipment and barrier-free surfacing for children who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers.
“We had recycled rubber surfacing installed,” says Julie Poetsch, Administrative Assistant. “There’s also a sensory system with a wheel and bells, and a fun mirror.”
The safe, welcoming environment has encouraged more people to participate in outdoor play. Poetsch says the commission has seen multigenerational families using the park, with people of all ages benefiting from the accessibility features.
“The new additions to the playground are especially awesome for families with younger kids,” says resident Britteny Larsen, who lives nearby. “When my kids were smaller, there were times when the playground felt too advanced, so the new equipment makes it more family friendly for people of all ages.”
Turning A New Page
On Saturday mornings, children gather at the Invermere Public Library for storytime and crafts. On weekday afternoons, members of a cookbook club meet to share food and discuss their latest read. These are just two of the ways the library helps bring people together.
To improve accessibility, the library has purchased mini-players that read stories aloud, expanded its e-book collection for those who find digital formats more accessible and acquired noise cancelling headphones for visitors who may be sensitive to sound.
As of this fall, they are offering loanable sensory support kits and cognitive care kits to support seniors with memory loss.
It has also launched a bookmobile.
“Bringing the library to the people definitely has value,” says Blair McFarlane, Director. “The idea is to create equitable access to library services because not everybody has a vehicle, and public transport can be quite limited.”
Overall, she adds, “We want to know about how our layout works for families and other visitors. We’re very flexible about adjusting our programs as we get feedback.”
