Ramblings and Musings - Clearwater at a Crossroads: Let’s Build a Heart

Last week, I wrote that Clearwater is at a crossroads, and I meant it. We’re in a pivotal moment, one where we can either drift along, scattered and disconnected, or come together with purpose and build something that lasts. 
 
So, this week, I want to talk about what that might actually look like. 
 
To move forward, Clearwater needs something it’s been missing for a long time: a heart. 
 
Not a metaphorical one, we’ve already got plenty of heart in our people. I’m talking about a physical, walkable, vibrant downtown core. A true centre. A place where locals gather, visitors linger and the spirit of our community comes alive. 
 
Right now, Clearwater is spread out, disjointed, three town centre, none of which truly feel like the beating heart of the community. Let’s be honest: from the outside, we’re starting to look a bit like a truck stop with a view. 
 
But that can change if we dream a little and plan a lot. 
 
Imagine a downtown district where everything is within a 10- to 15-minute walk. Where you can pick up your mail, grab a cinnamon bun, chat with a neighbour and visit the health centre all without firing up the truck. 
 
Local businesses line the walkways: cafés, bookstores, art shops, bakeries. Pop-up spaces let micro-businesses test the waters. A small business incubator, supported by Community Futures or similar programs, helps locals launch ideas without being buried in startup costs. 
 
Above the shops? Affordable rentals and office space, especially for seniors, folks on fixed incomes, and those who want to live in the heart of their community, not on the fringes of it. 
 
In the centre of it all: a plaza, an amphitheater, public art, a community fireplace. Twinkling lights in winter and a stage for music, storytelling, market days, and all-season festivals. A place where people gather not just to spend money, but to share life. 
 
Clearwater’s original branding, ice, rock, water, mountains could shape the aesthetic. Murals, stone and woodwork. Interpretive art reflecting the land we love and the cultures that call it home. Not just a town centre a Clearwater town centre. 
 
And right alongside it? A community health centre that’s accessible, visible and connected to daily life not tucked away out of sight. The possibilities are endless. 
 
But more than buildings and business, this vision is about belonging. 
 
In today’s world, families are often spread across provinces, even continents. Our “new family” is our community, our neighbours, our friends, the folks we see in the grocery store or wave to on the trail. 
 
We need a place where those relationships can grow. Where people can gather without needing a reason. A place where loneliness isn’t the default. 
 
Other towns have done it. Revelstoke. Nelson. Fernie. They’ve built town cores that reflect who they are, and it shows. People want to live there. Young people stay. Tourists spend more than just a night. 
 
Clearwater has all the ingredients the wilderness, the people, the heart. What we need now is a recipe. A roadmap. 
 
That means long-term planning. Identifying where the downtown should be. Creating infrastructure that supports it. Being proactive about zoning, design, investment, and accessibility. Pursuing grants. Building partnerships. Talking openly about taxation and smart incentives and most importantly having a vision. 
 
If we want developers, investors, and community champions to come to the table, we need to show that we’re serious. That we know what we want this town to become, not just in five years, but in twenty. 
 
Yes, it will take time. It won’t happen all at once. But every thriving community started with a bold idea and a few brave first steps. 
 
Last week, I said Clearwater was at a crossroads. This week, I say: let’s choose the path forward. Let’s start building the kind of community that reflects our values, our spirit, and our sense of place. 
 
Let’s give Clearwater a heart, one that beats for everyone.  Participate in our upcoming Official Community Plan (OCP), bring your dreams and dream big.