Local Armed Forces + non-profit community group = fun new recreation destination in Rossland Range
By Contributor
“Chimo” is a word expressing friendship and greeting. It was borrowed from Inuktitut and adopted in 1946 by the Royal Canadian Engineers as a greeting between their members.
Now Chimo will be the name of a new day-use cabin in the Rossland Range Recreation Site chosen by a volunteer crew of Combat Engineers, both serving and retired, whom are associated with the 44 Engineer Squadron, 39 Combat Engineer Regiment (39 CER) in Trail, BC.
Although Chimo Cabin is not an official project of the Canadian Armed Forces the volunteers do bring many skills learned in both their military and civilian careers.
“This project not only allows us to exercise some of our skills outside of the regular training schedule, but also provides an opportunity to strengthen our Squadron’s ties with the community while we work together to complete our piece of this uniquely Kootenay land management plan the Friends of the Rossland Range have enabled,” says Lieutenant Bart Fyffe, an officer in 39 CER and project lead for Chimo Cabin.
In the past, 39 CER has been involved in similar projects for the benefit of local communities such as the Zuckerburg Island bridge in Castlegar, Bailey bridges in Nelson and Christina Lake, and the Black Train Bridge in Grand Forks. Chimo Cabin and it’s access trails follow in that long and honourable tradition.
The cabin is well sited. The country around it is popular with cross-country skiers and snowshoers including families and those who are just learning about winter recreation. The access trails and site location have been designed with beginning to advanced users in mind. It offers an amazing view of Old Glory and surrounding peaks, and with it’s south facing aspect is sure to get lots of sun. There are opportunities to develop many more trails and access routes around Chimo.
New, high-quality day-use cabins like Chimo have been made possible by the creation of the Rossland Range Recreation Site by the Recreation Sites and Trails Branch of the Ministry of Forests. The site is managed for the Ministry of Forests by the Friends of the Rossland Range Society, under an approved Management Plan.
The new cabins are now officially recognized as an important feature of the recreation site. The Recreation Site and Trails Branch is to be commended for it’s positive and creative response to the community’s call for recognition of the Rossland Range as a place for public recreation. As well as the Recreation Sites and Trails Branch, the Recreation Site owes its success to many dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors and donors.
For more information on Chimo Cabin and to see updates on the progress, be sure to check out their Facebook page. For more information about the Recreation Site, to see maps of the area, or to become involved, see www.rosslandrange.org.
For more information on 39 CER or to inquire about local employment opportunities with the Canadian Armed Forces, please call the Squadron Orderly Room at 250-368-2138.
