A good place to be meeting

The Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre has become a key facility to the community as it hosts a variety of events

1 of 3The Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre is a stunning and welcoming facility. — Photo courtesy Grant Sharam

2 of 3The architecture and lighting of the centre provides a wonderful background for all sorts of events. — Photo courtesy Grant Sharam

3 of 3Grant Sharam looks forward to continuing to discover the potential of the centre. — Photo courtesy Grant Sharam

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In the three years since the Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre opened it has seen conferences, performances, numerous weddings and even the occasional lobster festival. Yes, the venue has proven to be a flexible asset for the community as it has also hosted trade shows and ski movies, and will be the home of the 2014 Dirtbag Festival.

“Originally we looked at the place as meetings and conventions and some training. (Now) we’re getting such diverse requests for things like ski movies and receptions and fundraisers,” said Grant Sharam, manager for the centre. “It has played a role in drawing the community together for various celebrations . . . The diversity of interest in the conference centre has surprised us all.”

Complementing the many functions of the facility is its athlete training centre, which was purpose built for disabled ski athletes. The 2013/2014 season will see three related events and the centre could continue to play a growing part in athletic events as it makes a great registration point or staging office and is well set up to host awards dinners.

Located at the Kimberley Alpine Resort, the Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre is set right next to the ski hill and in the midst of accommodation. There is also a golf course within walking distance. Additionally, the venue has good audiovisual technology available along with catering by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, parent company of Kimberley Alpine Resort.

“When people enter the building they are impressed by the architecture and the lighting. When they leave the building they unanimously praise the food,” said Sharam.

The Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre has already seen success with events from outside the region and looks forward to continuing to offer the venue for groups from out of province.

“The conference centre is such an important element of our economic growth,” said Sharam. “Beyond skiing and golf, the conference centre is our most vital link to attract people to Kimberley . . . Bring your organization to a place like Kimberley and it is visually stunning but, more importantly, it is away from your day-to-day life. So the effects of what you’re trying to achieve are far greater. Your team bonds better when they are in a destination far from home.”

Regardless of the event, the Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre is a great venue. It anticipates hosting more local festivals and has seen everything from bridal fairs to the annual Green Building Conference.

“I think one of the things that we are happy about is the diversity of interest in the centre,” said Sharam. “Our main focus has always been, and will probably continue to be, conferences, conventions and trade shows. But the exciting part is that we are getting such a diverse range of interest in the facility and discovering how adaptable the venue is for all sorts of different purposes.”