Katey Taylor

One of the hottest topics in town at the moment is the construction taking place. When I look across the river from our home, I see Everwild Fernie Nordic Spa and Hotel being built. From the top of Swine Flu, the residential and commercial development in downtown Fernie is impossible to miss. And as I ride my bike or run towards Coal Creek, the ground is being prepared for a childcare facility and residential housing.

It’s amazing to see, and while there are varying opinions on these projects, one thing is certain – they will all have a positive impact on Fernie.

The Elk Valley Family Society (EVFS) has been key in providing diverse housing opportunities in Fernie and Sparwood, and Katey Taylor is instrumental to these new projects and many already completed. As I have only met Katey at the ground breakings for openings of these developments, it was so lovely to have a chat and to learn more about her and how she became the Executive Director at EVFS. 

Katey is originally from Winnipeg, but her parents moved to Fernie when she was 13 years of age. 

“The main thing was there were 40 consecutive days that were -30 or colder. And they wanted to live in a neighbourhood that didn’t feel like thay had to lock their doors,” Katey tells me. 

Her uncle was really into skiing and had experienced Fernie and were considering moving here. Katey’s family decided to join them on a ski trip, and they all ended up moving here. 

“We caravanned the whole family and moved here in 1997. You could walk down the street and know everyone,” she remembers. 

Katey and her sister spent most of their time at the ski hill growing up. 

“It was a funny time to be in Fernie as not many people we knew skied or snowboarded, and I thought we would have a whole crew. My sister and I are only a couple of years apart so we were snowboarding buddies. My mom worked at the hill, so we went up with her, snowboarded for the day, and came home with her. It was great.”

After high school, Katey decided to travel, living between Scotland and London for a few years, which is where she met her husband, Luan. 

“Luan is from South Africa and was on a working visa, so we went there for a year to travel and worked on his immigration papers. Once he had his citizenship, I realized I had been away from home and family for too long. When you grow up here, you don’t recognize how special it is but having lived in other places I realized how great Fernie really is and we moved back in 2004 to be closer to family,” Katey tells me. 

Katey started working at Fernie Lodging Company, and Luan at Fernie Home Hardware. Her parents had flipped a few houses and Katey and Luan thought it would be a great way to build equity and to get into the housing market. Her parents loaned her the downpayment and the couple bought their first home. 

“We were very, very broke but rented all of the bedrooms and were able to pay them back. We didn’t do a lot during that time as we were building for the future. We bought a house in the Annex where we lived for six to seven years, but my husband ultimately wanted to live on an acreage, so we moved to Baynes Lake and have been there ever since with our son who is 11.”

Katey had been mostly working in hospitality but was trying to figure out a career that would earn more than minimum wage. She was interested in interior design and social work and completed a course online in Urban Land Economics at UBC. She was halfway through the program when she saw a position posted for Fernie Family Housing and Elk Valley Family Society. Their current ED was looking for an assistant as a property portfolio manager, and Katey’s diploma was exactly what they were looking for. 

“I finished the last couple of courses and started working for them. It was the perfect combination of what I had done schooling for that also included the social aspect. I have always liked being a helper and trying to find solutions for people. It aligned with being able to go into work and make a difference. It is super rewarding,” Katey says. 

When Katey became the ED, she continued to lean on her predecessor, and they still have a great friendship. 

“Having such a great mentor and to be able to run things by her was amazing. It took a long time to feel like I knew what I was doing – nearly seven or eight years. There are so many aspects to this position - understanding residential tenancy rules, how building and maintenance runs, funders, funding programs, every building has different funding sources… it is super complicated,” Katey tells me, and her list of the many elements she is involved in feels like a lot!
EVFS has seen substantial expansion the last few years. Their original project, and at the heart of their operations was the 11-unit Chrysalis House in Fernie, built in 1998 offering second-stage housing for women and children fleeing violence. Next, they took on the 40-unit Veneto Place in Fernie, built in 2013. This development includes affordable housing and housing for seniors and people with disabilities. 27 of the units are owned by EVFS and 13 by BC Housing, which are managed by EVFS. That same year, Sasko Manor in Sparwood was added to their portfolio which is 18 units of rent-geared-to-income housing for seniors and people with disabilities who can’t live on their own. Then in 2025, the first phase of Timbers Landing was developed, offering 30 units of affordable housing and rent-geared-to-income housing for families, seniors, singles and individuals with disabilities.

Projects that are currently in the pipeline include Timbers Landing Phase 2, which is 32 units of mixed-market residential geared towards low-to-moderate income households; Childcare and Affordable Housing in Fernie, a 27-unit development near the Aquatic Centre with over 50% of units available at below market, affordable rent, plus childcare space for 100 kids leased by a childcare provider; and the Old Firehall in downtown Fernie, which will have 44 units for mixed incomes, plus ground floor commercial space managed by Ryan Frazer (one being the new office for EVFS). 20-30% of these units are at more affordable rates, with other units at market rates. 

The first phase of Timbers Landing was a great opportunity for EVFS and their partners to show what they could do. They invited Fernie and Sparwood council members for a tour along with EVR. 

“That’s when the District of Sparwood offered the land next door for phase two. It just happened to be in a time where there was funding available from organizations like CMHC, BC Housing, CBT… it ebbs and flows and we have to cast our net out,” she tells me. It is obvious that Katey always has her finger on the pulse and is well-versed in managing many moving parts. One challenge EVFS must deal with, like most non-profit organizations, is the upfront costs associated with big projects like these. 

“Fortunately, we have great partners like EVR and work with New Commons, a non-profit developer from Vancouver that has been instrumental in us being successful,” she adds. 

With so many projects in the pipeline, and more units to manage (they will go from 100 to 200 in the next couple of years), Katey and her team will continue to have a lot on their plate, but as she says it is very rewarding for them as they are lightening the load for so many people. At the top of their to-do list is developing their policies and procedures, creating a financial plan and ensuring they continue to have a strong board with good governance. And for those interested, they are currently seeking more board members, particularly a treasurer and directors at large.

When Katey is not working, she’s a mom.

“So that’s really where I spend most of my time – with my family. My parents are around and I’m fortunate to have them and to spend quality time together. We enjoy travelling as a family and would like to do more of it. With my son growing up, I’m also trying to figure out what my outside interests are!” she tells me. 

When it comes to why she values supporting others and being part of a non-profit organization, she says:
“These are your neighbours! If we want a strong and supportive community, we need to be helping everybody across the board. Being a part of an NP is a great way to make sure nobody is left behind!”

Thank you, Katey. For those interested in learning more about board opportunities with EVFS, email @email.

1. When did you first arrive in the Elk Valley and what brought you here?
1997, and my mom and dad brought me here! As a young teen it was living in a place I could snowboard every weekend. 

2. Who do you remember first meeting?
Probably my more vivid memories would have been Tiny, the mayor and his shop! 

3. Do you remember your first general impression of the Valley?
I was still youngish but remember it being really beautiful. My mom would spend so much time staring at the mountains that she would get lost! 

4. What keeps you here?
I think family and just the community. It’s interesting when you talk to people, friends who live in the city. Their lives 
are so packed with scheduling and driving between sports. Fernie has that way of bringing you back in time. It’s simpler. It’s a beautiful way to grow up. 

5. Do you have a favourite pastime?
I would say my favourite thing to do is be out at a lake or out on our property with a campfire, spending time with family and friends and letting the kids run wild and play.  

6. What time of the year do you love most and why?
Probably the fall. We still have some warm weather and it’s quieter in town. 

7. Where do you see or hope to see Fernie and the Elk Valley in five years?
I hope for it to continue to be an inclusive community where people can afford to live. I look forward to seeing some intentional development. Still moving forward but taking into consideration everyone’s thoughts and opinions, not changing too drastically and providing for everybody. 

8. How do you start your day or what is one of your daily rituals?
Panicking to get out of the door to get to the bus on time! It’s an early bus pickup – 7:30am!

9. Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.
I have two dogs, Timber is an Irish Wolfhound weighing in at 150 lbs, and Maple is a Mini Dachshund weighing in at 8 lbs. Big and small we love them all. 

10. Quote to live by: In a world where you can be anything, be kind.