Initially opened in 2005, or shortly after, as Pothole Park the park was rebranded as a BC Spirit Square and reopened on May 15, 2010. B.C. Spirit Squares are parks now found in communities throughout BC, created to help celebrate BC150 – the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858.
The park's major feature is a natural amphitheatre which has been adapted to the staging of outdoor events such as movie showings and concerts. Arrayed around the seating area of the amphitheatre are many large stones which may be used for seating for those who choose to not sit on the grass. The "Stage" area has been equipped with electrical outputs for the use of the performers. Other than that this is an all natural amphitheatre, a truly beautiful little venue for such things as "Music in the Park" events.
Behind the amphitheatre are washrooms and benches, near which is a bronze statue of David Thompson, extraordinary explorer, cartographer, surveyor and fur trader and his wife Charlotte Small, daughter of a Scottish born fur trader and a Cree woman. The two were married on June 10, 1799 when Charlotte was thirteen and David was twenty nine. They remained lifelong companions. Travelling with Thompson on his voyages of discovery, Charlotte proved invaluable to him as she was fluent in English, French and Cree, and also able to decipher related dialects of other tribes. With her native appearance, she was able to move freely among the natives they encountered in their travels and easily gain their trust.
Though we have encountered many statues and other monuments in honour of David Thompson, this is the first we've encountered which includes Charlotte, a woman who simply does not receive her fair share of recognition for her contribution to the exploits of David Thompson.
The statue itself stands atop a heavy four sided concrete plinth with plaques all around and bronze reliefs on each side, each depicting an event in the travels of David & Charlotte.
Pothole Park in downtown Invermere is a small but lovely green space that is busy during the year with various community events.
The name ‘Pothole Park’ may seem rather odd to one who has never seen it but when you do, you’ll always remember the name. For it is sunken into the ground, below the surface of the street. Once a wild space with a small forest, some wild grasses and not much else, the District of Invermere, in 2005, took the initiative to turn it into a space to make the community proud and it definitely does. With a pathway around the perimeter of the space, a tiny bridge, large rocks that serve perfectly for seating, an outdoor amphitheatre and well-maintained washrooms, Pothole Park really shines.
It is the venue of choice for such events as Summerlude, Movies in the Mountains, Valley Appreciation Day, the Invermere Light-up Festival at the beginning of the Christmas season, etc. On a summer day, the park is a great place for family picnics, a gentle walk and letting the children run off their excess steam.
From the Town of Invermere
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