Early on the morning of Friday, May 2, the Cooke Creek bridge, on Mabel Lake Road, was taken out when tons of logs and debris came roaring down Cooke Creek, along with the weight of nine million gallons of water, causing mass destruction.
Directly in its path lay the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre (KICS). The centre is an integral part of the community, as well as a popular place for tourists.
The Kingfisher Interpretive Centre assists more than 100,000 salmon from egg to fry, and releases them to their natural life cycle in the wild of the Shuswap River well and strong. Community volunteers do most of the work harvesting salmon eggs and maintaining the hatchery, but the centre also creates employment for several community members.
The centre is also a popular place for students in the region to learn about the salmon.
In the wake of the flood, the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre is desperately in need of repairs.
In order for the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre to be restored, the trails must be restored, the berm needs to be re-established, water lines need to be repaired and the contents of the hatchery lab equipment must be replaced.
This equipment includes: a television, office supplies, desk, educational materials and a watershed model.
To help raise funds, a special Salmon Sensation Dinner Fundraiser is planned for Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Riverside Community Hall, 3784 Trinity Valley Road, Enderby.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with a cash bar. The salmon dinner will begin at 6 p.m. with a live auction and entertainment to follow.
Tickets are $50 (includes $25 tax receipt), and are available at Ashton Creek Store, Tony O’s Outfitter in Enderby and Bean Scene Coffee House inVernon.
Or buy tickets online at www.kingfishercentre.com/programsandevents2.html.
Donations can also be made to www.kingfishercentre.com via Paypal or mail a cheque (payable to Kingfisher Interpretive Centre Society) to 2550 Mabel Lk Rd., Enderby, BC V0E 1V5
For more information, call Shelley at 250-838-0282, or check out the website at www.kingfishercentre.com
