Given that this is where the main beach is located, we're guessing that Kinsmen Park is also the oldest park in town. Being on Lake Windermere with two hot springs nearby, Invermere is nothing if not a tourist town, seeing a huge influx, mostly of Albertans from over the mountains, both in the summer for fun in the sun and in the winter for skiing, snowboarding and even skating on the World's Longest Ice Skating Trail, right here in the park.
This could explain the need for a new beach house in the park in 2012. From winter to summer of that year the new beach house took shape, opening in the summer, in time for summer rush of tourists.
Built with many eco friendly features (see the sign in the gallery for details), the building contains a concession, wash rooms, changing rooms and commercial space. At present
Columbia River Paddle occupies a corner of the building, renting canoes, kayaks and paddle boards. They also offer both guided and self guided tours of the Windermere Lake area.
While construction was ongoing the Invermere Valley Echo dropped in, publishing an article on the building in May of 2012.
You can read the article below
Construction of new Kinsmen Beach building on schedule
by Steve Jessel - Invermere Valley Echo
posted May 23, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Construction on the new Kinsmen Beach amenity building has been underway since February and with each passing day, the building gets closer and closer to adding even more vibrancy to the overall Kinsmen Beach area.
The building is well on schedule for its June 18 substantial completion date, according to District of Invermere (DOI) manager of building and protective services Kim Leibel, at which time the washrooms will be ready for public use.
“(We want) the building to reduce the impact on the environment, and to have it be self-sufficient one day,” Leibel said.
To this effect, the building will come flush with a number of eco-friendly design choices meant to reduce environmental impact. The building will utilize three to four solar panels to heat all the water in the building and, as a whole, the construct will hold carbon-neutral status. Leibel said the contractor working on the design of the building had a whole host of further eco-friendly ideas, but due to budget constraints, not all of them were able to make the cut.
When completed, the building will feature a patio, wi-fi access, changerooms, the afore-mentioned washrooms, an equipment storage area and a space for community groups to use, and the entire building will be fully accessible. Leibel said the district is currently seeking expressions of interest for the kitchen and a small rental area, and that now would be the time to apply so that any necessary design changes could be made.
“Since the development of the Whiteway in 2008, Kinsmen Beach has become the prime year-round venue for outdoor community activities,” said Gerry Taft, mayor of the District of Invermere in an April release. “The new amenity building will increase the enjoyment of those wishing to experience Lake Windermere and the recreational and social benefits it provides.”
Leibel said the idea is for the Kinsmen Beach area to become similar to Pothole Park, in that the district will be able to hold similar events in the future, such as movie nights and live music. The 1,800 square foot building has seen costs increase as construction has proceeded, but Leibel said it’s only because of the new features that were constantly being added. Leibel also noted that this building, when completed, will be the first building in the DOI to have cameras installed, as the previous amenity building was a frequent target for vandals.
From the Invermere Valley Echo