15/06/2024
https://youtu.be/5h5H5LkZ-J4
June 15th, 2024 - Today! Fort Steele is to start opening its gates to the public. FREE ADMISSIONS PAST 5pm? We hope that still exists.
Mike Turner had the opportunity to have the Great "Tink Robinson, and her Excellency, Judy Armstrong in the Cable 11 Studio. Pat Horning did a wonderful job interviewing them as they wanted to speak up about the recent changes in 1987. With all that is happening at the Fort, to prevent being stuck in the middle, Mike wanted to present to all, in 1987, what Tink, Judy, and all the Concessionaires at Fort Steele had to say about the introduction of the Gate Fees. And how they predicted the slow drop in numbers in a significant amount at Fort Steele in a matter of under 30 years with these gate fees implemented.
Even so the numbers were in the thousands weekly in 1985-1986, In 1987, once those above who decided to introduce the gate fees; everyone had a lot to say about this. With the current conundrum, of Steam engine 1077, and predictions of those in the past who stated these fees would be the beginning of the end, It sure seems like it with what we have today. The impact is obvious as to what we have today. With this video, Mike is hoping everyone would take a good listen to what Tink, Judy and others who participated to keep Fort Steele going, the mission has been lost it seems. So, with this being brought forward, their words would be taken to heart and have an official reboot, before the fees were introduced.
They had THOUSANDS of people coming weekly. Now.... we don't know the numbers easily. But guaranteed, it's a drop off from then. Please sign and share this petition. https://www.change.org/p/save-the-1077-steam-locomotive
Currently, our Beloved Steam Engine 1077 is stuck in the middle of a rock and a hard place with politics and money being in the way to keep the momentum and focus of the reasoning why Fort Steele is there. This important Historic Piece of our past, then to now, it would be a shame to see this community further crumbling because of inner disputes that can be resolved with compromise/cooperation/mediation - team work from all angles
Some factors are beyond that, including other means that are getting in the way of the Focus of what the Fort is all about, And Fort Steele, those who volunteer their time and energy to keep it running. Keeping the focus in-line. Like any community, it needs "Ebb and Flow" even so they don't have fees after 5 PM, they still significantly lost a lot of people coming to see them, by the bus loads, to cars across the street, overflowing sidewalks, and the theatre, you can hear all through the grounds no matter where you were. It's a sound that we fear we no longer will because of the disputes preventing the focus on preserving our history on a deep level.
We, visitors of Fort Steele, were greeted with smiles and enthusiasm. This has also gone, if we can't bring back the focus. If we can propose a sustainable reboot. Like many, we are all unimpressed how they, officials who thought the gate fees were a "GREAT" idea. By comparing the people who came when there, state, Why don't we pay fees? we have to everywhere in the states and there are no fees? Listen to what the Chamber of commerce Brian said, and how little did he understand the impacts long-term.
The USA method of "Charging at the Gate," has set a significant decline, "A Recipe for Disaster," one would say. President of the Chamber of commerce person then said that it wouldn't affect the community of Cranbrook, and if these gate fees are what they have to do to compete with the USA, it's quite obvious this move WAS in FACT the beginning of the End.
This is the ROOT of all issues we see before us today. We must restore, reboot, give a new fresh look at how WE as a Community can keep Fort Steele going strong for many hundreds of years if possible. Letters to the MLA's and the Government are required to support these changes. Community, we ask of your help to see how you can help. Fort Steele Needs YOU!
June 15th, 2024 - Fort Steele is to start opening its gates to the public. Mike Turner had the opportunity to have the Great "Tink Robinson, and her Excelle...
