C6 | The Mountaineer | Rocky Mountain House, AB WILDERNESS VILLAGE ANNIVERSARY Tuesday, July 8, 2014

www.rock-e.ca

Members are guaran-teed 180 nights camping each year. Firewood is provided to campers, and there is even a tow-ing service available to members who do not have a truck, or do not want the hassle of haul-ing their RV to and from the park all year. Mem-bers can choose to store their RV in the park.

While the majority of members come from across Alberta, long-time manager Ron Web-ster says the Town of Rocky Mountain House is important to the park too.

“We spend and invest in Rocky, we employ from Rocky. Wherever and whenever possible we buy from Rocky,” he says.

The park gains about fi ve new members per year. Retiring members can choose to transfer their share to a friend or family member.

“There was a high de-mand for new member-ships, so a few years ago the board of directors established a reasonable price that met market

demand and didn’t un-dervalue the park.”

New members can

expect to pay a one-time $26,900 membership fee, plus $750 in annual dues.

RESORT: Members enjoy many amenities

BY LAURA BUTTONEDITOR

Marilyn Brookless and her husband bought into the park in 1983, and eagerly became share-holders during the 1989 membership drive.

“I can’t believe it’s 25 years, and how the park has progressed since then,” she says.

“I just love it out here.”Brookless has many

fond memories of raising her family at the park, and poignant ones too. She held a memorial ser-vice at the Chapel in the Woods, because it was a special place for their family.

“It’s so serene in there, no matter what the weather.”

Her husband passed away in 1991, but she and her children continued camping.

In 1997, she added another happy chapter

to her Wilderness Village memories.

“I remarried in the Chapel out here; it was a wonderful day,” she says.

Watching her children forge lifelong friendships from the park is another highlight of her 25 years. She has no doubt these friendships wouldn’t have occurred if it wasn’t for Wilderness Village.

Paul Wright, along with his wife, Heather, is another long-time member and part of the original group of 525. He volunteers his time every summer to con-tribute to Sylvester’s Carnival, the annual children’s carnival held every August, as well as hosting activities for the children throughout the summer. He says it’s his way of giving back to the park, “because my kids grew up here and turned out to be model citizens,” he laughs. He recalls

when his children were young, campers would take turns keeping an eye on all the youngsters. Some days there would be a herd of children on the Wrights’ RV, other times they’d converge on another site.

“It’s a very safe park,” says Wright.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary, Wright

created a Wilderness Village-themed activity book and treasure hunt to entertain younger members during the an-niversary celebration.

His children are now grown and are members in their own right. His family have three life-time memberships.

“We’ll be here for a long time yet,” he says.

Rocky Mountain House

Co-operative Association Ltd.

Highway 11

403-845-2841

www.rockycoop.com

Congratulations

on your25 th Anniversary

25 YearsCelebratingCelebrating

Ph.: 403-845-26264804 - 48 St., Rocky Mtn. House

ROCKY FUNERAL HOMEAND CREMATORIUM

on celebrating your 25th Anniversary

SIGNS & GRAPHICS

4527-47 AvenueRocky Mountain House

Call 403-845-8954

Wade Noble & Partners LLP

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Ph. 403-845-3226

Best Wishes

for your 25th Anniversary!

403-845-4545

Plumbing - Hot Water Heating

Heating and Air Conditioning

Happy 25th Anniversary!Congratulations!

We are honoured to be part of your 25th Anniversary.

403-845-3155

CONGRA TU L A T I ON S

It’s a pleasure to wish you ourbest for continued success!

Ron Webster has been managing Wilderness Village for 19 years.

A pair of bears guard the entrance to the resort. The bears were carved by chainsaw by a travelling artist from B.C. Rocky’s Ron Lepard rebuilt the old log fence at the entrance to the park last year.

Paul Wright created a special 25th anniversary-themed activity book and treasure hunt to entertain younger members during the anniversary celebration.

Marilyn Brookless has been a member since the very beginning. She holds many poignant memories from Wilderness Village.

Many memories over the past 25 years

CONTINUED FROM C5

The Chapel in the Woods – an open air chapel – has hosted weddings and memorial services. Every Sunday afternoon throughout the summer, members of the Rocky Ministerial Association are invited out to lead short services.

PHOTOS BY LAURA BUTTON | THE MOUNTAINEER

The Brignall family, made up of Chris, Alishia, Keenen, Ryan, Ewan and Audrey, have been members for two years. The Brignalls chose Wilderness Village as their country getaway because of the towing service. They leave their RV at the park, and staff tow it to and from their campsites.

Bryce Freman, Brandon Lestos, Sean Jones, Brady Breschini, Will Lestos and Bradly Foreman make use of the BMX track at Wilderness Village.

Janice Lea owns JKL Trail Rides and Petting Zoo, which operates from Wilderness Village.

PHOTOS BY LAURA BUTTON | THE MOUNTAINEER

Madison Krease, Colton Krease, Charlie Demers and Gabby Demers take the plunge at Wilderness Village.

PHOTOS BY LAURA BUTTON | THE MOUNTAINEER

Clint McGregor is the head of Resort Patrol. He and two others are responsible for security matters within the resort. “It can be frustrating at times dealing with 400 different types of attitudes. The trick is knowing when to smile and when to get stern,” he says. McGregor has been a member for nine years. For the past seven summers, he’s worked as resort patrol. “It’s just a fun summer job,” he says.

Rebecca Lipsey, Katie Anderson, Jessica Oscar and Amie Lipsey are four of the Fun Shack leaders this year. They plan daily activities and crafts and weekly theme days throughout the summer.

Non-stop fun for children and youth