Amplify East Kootenay – Fernie Fox Hotel

Amplify East Kootenay is providing a showcase for businesses throughout the region.

Today, we look at the Fernie Fox Hotel in Fernie.

Why have our listeners nominated this business? – “The owners of the Fernie Fox, Jeremiah and Marina Pauw, are always looking for ways to support local initiatives, events and community members. The Fernie Fox is a local business that is truly socially responsible; this is reflected not only in their commitment to the betterment of Fernie but also in their support of local initiatives, families and events.”

How do listeners feel this business has amplified the community? – “The Fernie Fox has donated educational funding to help support post secondary education of their employees and their children, provided funding to the Elk Valley hospital for a new ultrasound machine and support efforts to reduce carbon emissions by installing a plug in for electric vehicles at the hotel. Overall, I feel the Fernie Fox sets a high standard for business operation within Fernie and the Elk Valley. The owners live in Fernie and are actively engaged in making the community better, by whatever means possible.”

The Fernie Fox Hotel is an independent hotel operated in the Elk Valley by the Pauw family.

It was previously the Super 8 hotel and has been operating under its new name the Fernie Fox since April of last year.

Owner Jeremiah Pauw says the change has allowed revenue from the property to stay local to the community.

“I feel this gives us a much better insight into what the community is experiencing and what we can do to support it,” Pauw says. “We are firm believers in supporting local and do whatever we can to support other local businesses, organizations and events.

Management at the Fernie Fox Hotel are also dedicated to the community, with a budget of $25,000 per year for local causes and events.

This includes support for youth sports clubs, trail building, cultural events and student scholarships.

Pauw says despite the challenges of the last year with the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel has done what it can to support community efforts and residents.

“We have offered free lodging to any of our front line workers or health service workers that need to self-isolate,” Pauw says. “We’ve also donated $5,000 to the East Kootenay Foundation for Health in their drive to bring an ultrasound machine to our valley and we’ve given away $10,000 worth of scholarships to two local high school students in pursuit of a post-secondary education.”

Pauw says the hotel also has strong connections to the outdoors and is close to the trail network in Fernie Provincial Park, with all the amenities needed for those looking for a mountain biking vacation.

The Fernie Fox Hotel is located at 2021 Highway 3 in Fernie near the Dairy Queen.

You can learn more about the amenities they provide at the Fernie Fox Hotel’s website.