The Kootenay Carshare Cooperative aims to provide affordable transportation to all community members. With the recent purchase of a 2003 Mazda Protégé 5, the carshare will be extending its operation to the top of Gordon Road with a new location at the Alpine Lakes Suites.
“We see this as an opportunity to develop our sense of community at Alpine Lake Suites,” says Ray Stothers, the manager of the Alpine. “Residents can pitch in to purchase a membership or join under the low income program.”
The carshare will be hosting an information session called Carshare Conversations on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the guests and community room at Alpine Lake Suites (1102 Gordon Street, Suite 307, Building B).
“We are looking forward to coming up with some creative ways of collaborating with residents and neighbours,” says Colleen Matte, Kootenay Carshare Co-operative manager. “We can use existing tools like the rideshare website to organize the shared use of the carshare vehicle.”
The purchase of the Mazda Protégé was a great deal for the cooperative. A young family had to sell their vehicle for financial reasons. In return, they received access to 11 vehicles including cars, vans and trucks. There will be some adjustment to their lifestyle, having to use their electric bicycle to access vehicles, but they will still have the freedom of car ownership.
For more information about the Kootenay Carshare Cooperative visit their website at carsharecoop.ca or stop by their office at 410-B Hall Street, Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.