Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce
Meeting of April 9, 2008

Present:  Tanya Thibodeau (Gateway Gazette), Betty Paul (Pegasis Spirit of the Earth), Gord Tomte (Pegasis Spirit of the Earth), Tanis Downey (Cataract Creek Clothing),
 Dianne King, Mike King (MWK Consulting), Abraham Ma (Coyote Moon), Pat Lothrop (Diamond Willow Retreat), Lynne Tonita (Characters & Curios), Ron Sandul (Sandul's Pharmacy),
 Barry Williamson (Town of Turner Valley), Jason Spicer (Pharmasave), Deidre Spicer (Pharmasave), Glenis Currie, Grant Sinclair (Compass Rose Electric),
 John Kirinic (Dundee Securities), Barb Froud (Webby Inc), Randy Gibson (Diamond Ridge Developments) and Gary Vickery (Diamond Ridge Developments)



Meeting was called to order by John at 7:08pm



Signage Committtee - Tanis reported they have presented preliminary to both councils.  They have discovered that there are several aspects to the issue.
  Presently working on a quick and dirty presentation to go back to councils with. 

Mike suggested it would be a good idea to have some of the store front businesses in the communities on this committee to get their prespective.

Suggested that if we can come up with a well thought out intelligent idea where the municipalities agree that Alberta Transportation will probably come on board.
  Barry suggested that Monique LeBlanc of Community Futures be contacted as she was involved in the planning of the down towns for Black Diamond and Turner Valley.



John had invited Patterson Group out to speak to the committee along with representatives from the municipalities of Black Diamond, Turner Valley
 and Longview.  Billboard signage was discussed and the framework was laid to make something happen.  Patterson brought up recipicole billboard signage for the area.
  These billboards are 10X20 and can be designed to fit with the communities themes.  If billboards were to go up that would be determined by the municipalities.

Bylaws would probably need revision.  We would require a business process for the municipalities to give up the necessary property.



Art Walk - The ad hoc committee has met and come up with good ideas.  Would like to see happen August 11 - 16, 2008.  Plan to do a call out to artists
 to volunteer to submit their work.  Will approach businesses to display work.  There would be many artists with many mediums.  Art in the Park would occur on
 the Saturday where the public would be able to see the artists produce their work and be able to purchase directly.  Suggested charging
 a $20 registration fee to solidify the artists committment.  Proceeds to go towards promotion and a local charity possibly
 Friends of the Legion.  Discussion on how the chamber will benefit and how are we going to say it was successful.  Tanya from the Gazette is prepared
 to step up and sponsor the event.  The committee has already approached Sheep Creek Arts Council.

Tanya suggested instead of any left over proceeds going out to another charity that they stay with the chamber as it is also a not for profit organization
 and it would help get other activities off.  Need to contact other communities on how they operate their events.  John to meet
 with the committee to set p a framework and get them working on a budget.  Bart to set up an online registration form once the committee advises what they want.



Suggested running a new logo contest.  Barb suggests that we have a look at the logo that the chamber had produced when the tourism action plan was done.
  It ties in the communities and the Heart of the Cowboy Trail.  Barb to check with Diamond Valley Clothing Co to see if they still have it.



Glenis Currie Approached Barb regarding a $100 donation to go towards Wayne Page's retirement from Alberta Community Development.  Wayne has worked
 tiredlessly for many local organizations and the municipalities over the years helping them
work together and become viable.
  Barb discussed with the executive and they are in favour of doing something as long as we are recognized
  Moved by Barb to go ahead with the $100 donation towards Wayne Page's retirement, seconded by John and carried.  Barb will work with Glenis on this.



Fundraising - committee is excited about a greater event with entertainment charging $75 - 80 per person for a night out.  Proceeds back to the chamber.



Business Retirement - Tanis representated the Chamber at the retirement of LAB and Home Hardware owners last weekend.

The Chamber provided 2 cakes for the event that was well attended by the community.



Tourist Info Center - suggested possibly partnering with the municipalities.



Diamond Ridge Developments Presentation - A Conservation Community. Working on a vibrant local economy
65 Acres in the MD of Foothills between
 the Town of Black Diamond and the Town of Turner Valley.
This will be a high density development not multiple small acreages that are usually close to urban centers.

The developers have an attitude of conservation - land, water and energy.
Looking to preserve the old coal mine and possibly
 set up an interpretive center with help from the 
communities.  They will be implementing a more advanced water management system.  Using the water for life

process.  Complete on site wastewater system.  There will be 150 units with less than 2 1/2 units per acre.
Water can be supplied to the site and enough
 water for 150 units 250gal/day/unit off existing wells, they will be using less than 1/2 the water that is available.  They have already identified unique plant material
 and efforts are being used to maintain.  30% of land base will remain green.  Each lot will have a hydrant for outdoor non-drinking use (fire protection, car washing, etc).
  Late fall 2009 at the earliest for ground breaking.  They wish to help existing commercial not compete against it.



Broke for networking time.



Meeting adjourned 9:05pm

Next meeting May 14, 2008

7pm

Flare and Derrick, Turner Valley (tentative)



[Close Post-It] 





Don't forget the 

    Monthly Meeting 

  7:00pm 

  Flare N Derrick

  

June 11th, 2008

A Chance to Network with Local
 Business & Municipalities




[Close Post-It] 



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