Bellevue Mine Gala Fundraiser a huge success

Bellevue Mines Executive Director Crystal Potts-Jensen at Gala fundraiser
C. Davis photos

Chris Davis

The MD McEachern Community Complex in Bellevue was the site of the Teck-sponsored third annual Music for the Mine Fundraising Gala for the Bellevue Mine held on Saturday evening, March 29.  The event was very well attended, with both ladies and gentlemen attired formally for the occasion. Cocktails and a chance to bid on numerous silent auction items was followed by an entertaining Family Feud style competition, a delicious dinner prepared and served by Country Encounter Hospitality, and then by speeches and recognition awards.

One of the highlights of the evening came when  Lethbridge-East MLA Bridget Pastoor appeared on behalf of Premier Dave Hancock to announce a $20,579 Government of Alberta grant towards the Mine's plans for a new interpretive centre.

This gorgeous chandelier served as a centrepiece for the event

Bellevue Mines Executive Director Crystal Potts-Jensen has been in her position for seven months now, after signing on last September.   "I have a Bachelor in Business Administration and they were really looking for someone to take care of the day to day operations of the mine, and that has been my job," she explained.  "My biggest love for the job is marketing."

Detail from silent auction item -  a ceramic Burmis Tree donated by the Pass Pottery Club

Last November Bellevue Underground Mine announced the move from a May to September operation to being open year-round.  "It's open year round now, it's in it's first year, and it's actually been pretty good."

"In the winter months we run on the core staff that we have, which is me, Penny Rinas, our Gift Shop Manager and Facility Administrator, and Elaine Hruby who is our Museum Contractor."

Jordan Erlendson taking the tour
(file photo)

Potts-Jensen explained the reason for the fundraiser.  "The funds go toward the new interpretive centre.  What we are housed in right now, they built that in 1989, and it was supposed to be a temporary solution.  Our visitor numbers have been increasing a lot over the last three years, so to bring in a group of 30 and bring out a group of 30.... we need space."  Last year's Fundraising Gala raised enough funds to purchase blueprints for the new Interpretive Center.

"We're looking at different options, including whether or not we might be building up against the wall of the mine."

"The mine portal that was built needs to be preserved over the years and updated.  So we applied for a grant with the Alberta Historical Research Foundation.  Hopefully that will allow us to redo the portal as well as maintain it, because that is the eye-catcher of our site."

Crowsnest Pass Ecomuseum Trust Society President Rean Knight and MC Steven Brown

As for the very evident success of the fundraising gala, Potts-Jensen lays that squarely on the desk of  Crowsnest Pass Ecomuseum Trust Society President Rean Knight.  The society runs the Bellevue Underground Mine. "She's the mastermind behind this gala. It took her 9 months and 500 hours to mastermind this event."

Although Crystal Potts-Jensen is relatively new to the Bellevue Underground Mine, she's not a stranger to the area, but rather is somewhat of a prodigal daughter.  "I lived in Pincher until I was 8 years old, and my parents were Dutch, so we moved back to Europe, and I lived there for 24 years.  I came back three years ago.  I wanted to move back to Pincher it's my hometown.  I moved to Bellevue a month ago, but it's the same area. I went to St. Michael's.  There's a lot of history here, in this area. I like it, it's beautiful here.  I love it in the Pass.  I remember Frank Slide (from childhood).  Even the sight of it has a big impact."

Potts-Jensen seems very pleased with how things turned out.  She's definitely a fan of the Bellevue mine.

"People should visit at least once a year, it's just an awesome experience."

MC Steven William Brown

Steven Brown is one of the interpreters at the mine.  He acted as MC for the Gala.  "It's nice when you clap, because then I know I got it kind of right, and you at least know sort of what I'm talking about," he told the audience at one point.  I've known Steven since he was employed as a summer student at the Tourism desk of Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, working alongside me, several years ago.  In addition to being an exceedingly bright young man, he's also a multi-talented entertainer, and the Gala gave him a chance to shine.

"Why am I in the mines?  It's cozy down there," he told me after his MC duties were concluded.  He's currently working towards a history degree at the University of Lethbridge.   "I graduate in April, then I have no idea."

"I may go to France for 7 months to help teach English in a high school.  That will be fun.  And terrifying as well, I don't speak French very well.  After that I might come back to the mine for another season.  It's a great job, I love the job here, I get to talk about history, and I get to talk, and I love the sound of my own voice, and I get to show off my knowledge."

Lethbridge-East MLA Bridget Pastoor addressed the crowd after dinner, saying she was speaking on behalf of Premier Dave Hancock.

Lethbridge-East MLA Bridget Pastoor

"It's interesting to think that 100 years ago men went down into the dark of the Bellevue Mine, with nothing more than a head lamp to make their living.  I have been fortunate to have a place at Lee Lake for the last 47 years, so I have personally been down in that mine many, many times.  When we have guests, for the summer, and I say you have to bring your long johns, they have no idea why they would bring long johns in the middle of summer. Once they have been down into the mine, they understand what I have been talking about."

"One of the priorities of any society is to make sure that people are well educated.  The ability to imagine another way of life, to relate to another persons reality, is a fundamental aspect of true education.  That's one of the many reasons that we  revere the Pass."

"Another reason is we owe a debt to those that came before us.  How many of you owe your existence, and all the opportunities that you enjoy to someone that spent days in that Bellevue Mine, and perhaps gave their life in it as well?"

"Tonight we're here to honour those people and their families, and to raise funds to make sure that more visitors can learn the Bellevue Mine story. To make sure that more people can go down into the past, and walk the tunnels and get that true sense of reality of a century ago."

"In doing so, we also realize that sharing the culture of the Bellevue Mine, the whole story of the coal mining past, has a role to play in the economic future of this region."

"Culture and tourism are important industries, no less so than mining and forestry, oil and gas."

"It's essential that we have pride in the history that sets this region apart in Alberta, and in western Canada, and tell the world about it."

"Please realize that the work that you do to keep us in touch with the lessons of our history is a source of pride for all Albertans."

Pastoor then delivered the news that many in the crowd were hopefully anticipating.  "Finally, to help you continue that work, I'm pleased today to announce a grant in the amount of $20,579.00."

"That's the best part of being an MLA.  When I know that tax payers dollars are going to the right place, it's fabulous.  Congratulations to all of you, because I know how much work goes into this, and I know how hard it is in small communities.  But that's what we're about.  Small communities make it happen."

"Congratulations to all of you, and good luck."

Coal Association of Canada President Anne Marie Hann was the final speaker of the evening.

Coal Association of Canada President Anne Marie Hann

"Thank you very much for having me here this evening, it's certainly a pleasure and a honour to recognize and participate  in the hard work and recognition of the Bellevue Mine Museum, and interpretative center that you are trying to expand so you can accommodate more visitors here."

Hann acknowledged the efforts of the organizers and volunteers.  She then spoke of the changes that have occurred in the mining industry since 1961 when the Bellevue mine closed.

"As you can appreciate anyone who would be going through an active coal mine today would certainly have a different experience than they would have going through the Bellevue Mine."

"I am proud to say that in Canada, we have 24 operating mines, that are operating under the highest standards of environmental health and safety in the world.  There are very strict regulatory environments by the governments overseeing our activities.  As a result, mining, and coal mining in particular has one of the best safety records of all industrial activity in Canada at the moment."

"We have to be ever diligent in every activity that we do.  For employers and workers I'm delighted to see that the primary emphasis for everyone involved is to see that every worker goes home safe at the end of the day."

"Thank you very much for having me here this evening.  To the work of the Society,  and to the Bellevue Mine, thank you for teaching us about our past.  Because of your efforts and because of what we have learned, we are a much better industry going forward today."

Interpreter Stephanie Lanting and society President Rean Knight

Steven Brown wrapped up the formal part of the evening by thanking the volunteers and the event sponsor, Teck.  "We cannot thank you guys enough for all your donations, and your hard work and your support that helped to put not only this event together, but also the Bellevue Underground Mine in general."  He then presented a gift of appreciation to a Teck representative, and another to Rean Knight, who took the opportunity to thank the Board of Directors, the staff, and the volunteers.  "A big round of applause for everyone that helped out, thank you very much."

MetroBeat

After that, Calgary show band MetroBeat took to the stage, and within moments the dance floor began to fill as they mined their extensive repertoire of classic songs from the 50's to the present.

Related link: www.bellevueundergroundmine.org

amended March 2