Scott Hayes | [email protected]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chetamon Wildfire raised an important issue of power supply at Alpine Summit Lodge. That issue is fixable, but at a certain cost.听
When the wildfire burned the ATCO lines and Jasper鈥檚 power went down, all the approximately 40 residents had to be moved. This past spring, the threat of power loss reemerged as the wildfires near Edson burned on.听
While Alpine Summit has a generator, it isn鈥檛 nearly large enough to offer stability and security during such trying circumstances.听
鈥淲e started getting a lot of calls from the families of the residents. Even though there's a generator there鈥� it's a very small generator,鈥� said Helen Kelleher-Empey, vice-chair of the Evergreens Foundation, the not-for-profit organization responsible for the management of Alpine Summit and four other seniors鈥� lodges and several apartment residences throughout west-central Alberta.听
鈥淭he current generator is so small it just leaves on some lights in the common areas and a couple of plugs, but the seniors can't come out of their rooms from upstairs because the elevator won鈥檛 work.鈥�听
The problem is compounded with the pressure and anxiety that comes every time the staff must move the residents.听
鈥淭here's a lot of stress on them,鈥� Kelleher-Empey said. 鈥淭hey become fearful.鈥澨�听
The residents and their families have requested a quote for a bigger generator. That quote came back at $160,000.听
鈥淭hey're not cheap,鈥� Kelleher-Empey said.听
The foundation has just started a fundraising campaign to bring that equipment into reality. Kelleher-Empey听argued this is a necessary upgrade.听
鈥淲ith all this climate change, these catastrophes are happening more and more.鈥�听
Specific fundraising efforts, such as silent auctions and other individual events, are being planned for the coming weeks and months.听
Kelleher-Empey suggested that people pay attention to Alpine Summit Lodge鈥檚 social media at as details emerge.听
For now, cash or cheque donations can be submitted at Alpine Summit (make cheques to Shelby McQueen-Osborne) and e-transfers can be submitted via [email protected]. Include the memo note 鈥淕enerator Donation鈥� for either method. Credit card donations can also be accepted on the organization鈥檚 website at .
