Tilley Memorial Park
Tilley Memorial Park, located at the southeast end of Columbia Lake, has a boat ramp, tables and washrooms with wheelchair access, and a beautiful beach area. For many years, the beach was a Provincial park until the Province considered closing the area. A group of residents known as the Beach Committee offered to take care of the park in order to keep it open for the public to enjoy. Upon the incorporation of the Village, a request was made to the Province to transfer ownership of the park to the Village and after a lengthy process, ownership was transferred in 2010. A “Name the Beach” contest was held and the beach was officially named “Tilley Memorial Park” in memory of John and Ann Tilley, a family with a long history of community service in Canal Flats.
Fees: Boat Launch & Parking – $25.00 per day
Parking only – $5.00 per person to a maximum of $15.00 per car (5 years and under free)
Payment options: Cash and Debit only
*Dogs are not allowed on the beach, but they are welcome to join you on your boat.*
Canal Flats Arena
The arena was constructed in the early 1970’s. A major renovation which involved new ice surface, boards, and bleachers was completed in 2013. A $900K upgrade in 2018 has seen new insulation added to the building envelope – which extends the season by 4-6 weeks. Additional enhancements include a new accessibility entrance, more dressing rooms, and a gussied-up exterior appearance.
In 2023, the arena renovated the concession and now serves hot food items such as burgers, chicken strips and fries. The Upper Deck is open during tournaments or special events.
The arena has 6 dressing rooms and an official’s room. The arena is home to minor hockey and figure skating associations as well as offers public skating, youth and adult shinny. It is available to rent for private functions as well as other minor hockey associations. Schedules and fees are found weekly in the Canal Flats Newsletter. For more information, please contact the arena manager at 250.349.5617 or arena@canalflats.ca
Location: 4925 Burns Avenue
Open: Mid-October to late March
Canal Flats Civic Centre
The Canal Flats Civic Centre, located at 8911 Dunn Street, was originally built in 1968 as part of the Centennial Project. The building was expanded in the 1980s and now includes the Senior’s Centre and the Food Bank. The Canal Flats Civic Center Committee hosts a variety of community events including Bingo, Community Christmas Party, Halloween Family Dance, and Canal Days. Available to rent for private functions such as weddings, funerals and parties.
Seating capacity 250. Small stage. Sound system. Fully-equipped kitchen, fridges and a freezer. Bar area for serving drinks. Tables and chairs.
For rental information, please contact the Village office or see the Canal Flats Civic Centre Rental Policy
The completed Canal Flats Civic Centre Rental Agreement can be sent to village@canalflats.ca.
Other Recreation
- Village amenity – Canal Flats has a ball field, soccer pitch, and bike park.
- Lussier Hot Springs & Whiteswan Provincial Park
- Fishing – Kootenay River, Columbia Lake, White Swan Lake, Finley River, Whitetail Lake
- ATV – Backcountry trails into some of the most breathtaking terrain can be directly accessed east of the Village. The East Kootenay ATV Club organizes rides starting from Canal Flats. Contact: Wally Pike, 250.342.3226
- Camping –
- Black Sheep Camp(Canal Flats), Whiteswan Provincial Park including the Lussier Hot Springs
- Golf – the Columbia Valley is home to nine golf courses located between Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs in the Columbia Valley (within 40 minute drive from Canal Flats).
- Fairmont – Fairmont (Riverside and Mountainside Courses), Coys Par 3
- Invermere/Windermere/Panorama – Copper Point (Point and Ridge Courses), Greywolf, Eagle Ranch, Windermere Valley Golf Course
- Radium – Radium Resort (Springs and Radium Courses)
- Kimberley/Cranbrook – there are additional courses within an hour (south) of Canal Flats: Golden Golf Club – Bootleg Gap (Kimberley), Kimberley Golf Club, Trickle Creek Golf Resort (Kimberley), Shadow Mountain (Cranbrook), Wildstone (Cranbrook), St. Eugene (Cranbrook)
- Birdwatch – the wetlands at the south end of Columbia Lake provide a home for a large variety of bird species. From hummingbirds to the great grey owl. From blue herons to bald eagles. There are 268 species of birds documented in the Columbia Valley (Src: Columbia Valley Bird Survey, 1993).
- River Raft – Kootenay River Runners
- Hiking/Mountain Biking Trails – there are extensive backcountry trails in the Columbia Valley
- Mountain Climbing – Mount Sabine, or “Old Baldy” to the locals, is located just north east of town and has a number of established rock-climbing routes.
- Ski – Fairmont – 15 minutes north, Panorama – 45 minutes north, Kimberley – 45 minutes south
- Other – the Blue Lake Forestry Education Camp is well known for the high quality experiential education that it provides for students, summer campers, and special groups.