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Local Sappers Raise the Roof on Chimo Cabin

Contributor
By Contributor
November 8th, 2016

In the wettest October ever recorded in the Kootenays, volunteer crews made up from serving and retired members  of all ranks of 39 Combat Engineer Regiment (39 CER), members from 531 City of Trail Air Cadet Squadron, and members of the local community affiliated with 39 CER have succeeeded in getting Chimo Cabin ready for use this winter — though there is still finishing work to be done.

“Despite unfavorable weather for the last few weeks our crews stayed focussed and did what needed to be done to finish what we set out to do – work with the Friends of the Rossland Range to construct a backcountry cabin, ready for the community to enjoy this winter,” says Lieutenant Bart Fyffe, an Officer with 39 CER and project lead for Chimo Cabin, “and by the looks of things we got done just in time.”

Chimo Cabin was named after the word “Chimo” which was derived from the Inuktitut greeting “saimo” (saimu) meaning “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Peace be With You,” and in 1973 was adopted by the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE; nicknamed “Sappers”) as the greeting and cheer of the Corps.  The name “Chimo Cabin”  fits  a project involving a welcoming public access backcountry cabin completed by local Sappers. 

 Chimo has some unique features that users will enjoy. A small ante-room at the entrance provides space for dry storage of wood and splitting kindling as well as an area to hang up outer layers.  Local travellers have already nicknamed this area the “Officer’s Mess”.  Inside, visitors will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the valley and Old Glory summit with the large windows and glass door installed on the south end.  A nearly new wood stove that was generously donated heats up the room.  A set of small cabinets and counters, stocked with cookware and cleaning supplies, have been added for convenience.  First aid and fire extinguishing equipment are readily available.  The cabin is completed by a covered deck on the south side offering an amazing view of the surrounding terrain.  Included in the construction plan were an outhouse and woodshed.   

Although the cabin is functional, there remains some work to complete.  Construction will continue in the spring with front stairs and interior finishing as priority tasks.  For now, Chimo is  open for visitors to come and enjoy.

“This was an excellent project to work on and we were happy to have been given the opportunity by the Friends of the Rossland Range Society (FORRS) to be a part of this uniquely Kootenay management plan for the Rossland Range Recreation Site,” says Fyffe.  “We look forward to continuing to build our relationship with FORRS and local communities through projects like this.” 

For more information on FORRS, the Rossland Range Recreation Site Management Plan, and to see updates on other projects being completed, be sure to check out the website at http://www.rosslandrange.org

To see pictures of the construction of Chimo Cabin, check out the facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/chimocabin/

39 CER is now hiring for Engineer Officers and Combat Engineers, Supply Technicians, and Mobile Support Equipment Operators with 44 Engineer Squadron in Trail, BC.  Call 250.368.2128 or stop in at the AGH Kemball Armoury at 1990 7th Avenue, Trail BC V1R 3C3 on Thursday nights from 7:00pm to 10:00pm to speak to a recruiter.  For more information check out the website at http:// www.forces.ca.

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