The question should have been, if we build it, will you support it?
The answer, so far, has been NO.
In 2019, a small but determined group of volunteers set out to transform a bare patch of land into something extraordinary, a vibrant, multi-use fairground built entirely by and for the community. With no blueprint but big dreams, the Tumbler Ridge Days Society rolled up its sleeves and got to work. What followed is nothing short of remarkable.
Over the past six years, volunteers have invested thousands of hours and over half a million dollars in grant and sponsorship funding to create a space that now stands as a proud symbol of what community spirit can accomplish. There was no pre-existing infrastructure; every beam, board, and fencepost was installed from scratch:
- A 30×40 performance stage and matching pavilion.
- A sea-can bar with fully fenced beer gardens.
- Two 40-foot sea cans for storage, plus three additional sheds.
- A whimsical, one-of-a-kind Prehistoric Park with towering dinosaurs, a sandbox, playhouse, helicopter, ponds, and an outdoor theatre.
- Renovated on-site building, major landscaping, and the planting of 60 trees.
- A fully fenced perimeter; over $22,000 in fencing alone.
These efforts have turned the fairgrounds into a vital cultural and recreational space. Iconic community events, such as the Fall Fair and the Halloween Haunt, have become beloved annual traditions. This year, the society partnered with other non-profits to bring additional events to the grounds, including the Emperor’s Village event to wrap up the final Emperor’s Challenge route on Babcock Mountain and the second annual FMX show.
The fairgrounds even had a sustainable source of income, the Monkman RV Park, which has operated smoothly for six years. The society was even able to withdraw its Grant-in-Aid request, because revenue from the park could support continued operations. Despite this, the Monkman RV Park has been up for sale for eight years. When the society inquired as to why, when it was operating effectively and for the good of the community, the ultimate response was, “We don’t know, it’s been that way for years.” The District owned two campgrounds in town, but why was this the only one for sale?
Although we knew the RV Park was for sale, the actual sale of the park was a shock, and our contract will now be terminated with the District with two weeks’ notice, and a withdrawn Grant-in-Aid request.
But while the community came together to build something meaningful, municipal support has not kept pace. Despite the fairgrounds being a proven asset and the home base for Grizfest, a major cultural event, the Society has received no grant funding from the District of Tumbler Ridge in the past five years, including the last two years when our grant request was to restore Grizfest. Council voted against, and the motion was defeated. Even requests for basic event support, such as equitable liquor pricing or assistance with grounds maintenance, have been met with bureaucratic hurdles. The Society is still expected to pay the District to mow the grass on property that benefits the entire community.
The reality is this: without meaningful support from local leadership, volunteer-led initiatives like this one are simply not sustainable. Passion and dedication are powerful forces, but they cannot replace funding, manpower, or policy support.
As the president of the Tumbler Ridge Days Society for the last nine years, I have recently stepped down from the board, a decision that reflects not just personal exhaustion but a broader frustration shared by many involved. It’s hard to keep building when every step forward is met with a wall.
There was a time when Grizfest and other community events benefited from a strong partnership with the District. Before 2017, the District had a dedicated staff member whose role was largely focused up to 80 percent on supporting Grizfest, while Public Works handled much of the logistical and physical setup.
However, at the year-end meeting that same year, the then-CAO informed the Tumbler Ridge Days Society that, due to a perceived lack of board members, the District would be taking over the festival. This declaration, made without consultation of the board, was met with deep frustration and concern. For a municipal staff member to attempt to seize control of an event built and sustained by volunteers for 17 consecutive years was seen as a serious overstep.
Plans were even brought forward to the town council, which was ultimately shut down, the takeover attempt failed, but the damage to the relationship had already been done.
Since then, the dynamic between the Society and the District has shifted. What once felt like a collaborative effort has too often felt like an uphill battle. Despite the Society’s proven track record and increasing self-reliance, it has felt as though seeking independence came at the cost of municipal support.
This isn’t a call for pity. It’s a call for partnership.
The fairgrounds are a living example of what’s possible when volunteers are empowered, not obstructed. The work is already done. The vision has already been realized. The question isn’t whether it can work; it already does. The question is: will the community and the District choose to stand behind it?
If we build it, will you come?
We hope this time the answer is yes. Because this isn’t just about one board member, one festival, or one plot of land, it’s about what kind of town we want to be, and what we can accomplish when we work together.
Above photo: Lydia and James from the Mechanical Botanicals at last year’s fall fair performing on the stage built for Grizfest.
