“Field, BC is so extraordinarily beautiful—you never get over it,” says Katrina Froese, Chair of the Field Recreation Advisory Association (FRAA). “Even with its challenges, I feel lucky to live here.”
The all-volunteer FRAA board keeps the social and recreational heart of Field beating year-round. Like many small, unincorporated communities in the Basin, Field relies on volunteers like Katrina and her board to nurture connection and belonging.
Unique challenges in a National Park
But Field is unique: it sits within Yoho National Park, where all land, facilities and infrastructure are managed by Parks Canada. That means even simple community projects come with extra steps.
“Because Field sits on federal land, every project means layers of red tape,” says Katrina. “Even building a simple playground can take years of coordination.”
Spaces that bring people together
Formed in 1985, FRAA owns and operates a community centre and a seasonal rink/court, and leases the gymnasium in the former Field Elementary School that is now a Parks Canada administrative building. For the community’s 150 year-round residents, these spaces are at the heart of local life.
The community centre hosts events, a children’s playroom and weekly playgroups. Outside, volunteers maintain a multi-use court that becomes a skating rink each winter, home to pick-up hockey games and a popular January tournament.
Expanding recreation options
While Field offers world-class outdoor recreation, many residents wanted more indoor options, especially during long winters.
“We have a mix of retired people and young families,” says Katrina. “Some don’t drive, and winter roads can be tough. Seasonal workers who come for Parks Canada or hospitality and tourism-related jobs can’t always get to Golden. If you don’t ski or drive, what can you do for your well-being? We knew we needed to expand our gym.”
Once little more than a few weights and a ping-pong table, the community gym has been transformed with support from Columbia Basin Trust. New equipment, including a treadmill, stairmaster, rowing machine, additional benches and a functional trainer, has helped attract new members and generate revenue to sustain FRAA operations.
“The equipment came in this spring, and the response was incredible,” says Katrina. “Before we had 10 memberships; now we have 30 to 40 year-round, and up to 60 in summer when seasonal staff are here. Field has so little for residents, and this adds so much back into our community.”
Partnership in action
The Trust also helped fund new educational and sensory toys for the children’s playroom and a snowblade to maintain the community rink.
“Each improvement, whether it’s gym equipment, toys for families or the new snowplow blade, means a lot,” says Katrina. “It can be difficult living here with so few services, so being able to create shared spaces for health and connection is such a gift.”
The partnership began when a Trust staff member from Golden visited after hearing about Field’s annual “Yoho Blow” event. “She saw that we were underserved and wanted to support what we were already working on,” says Katrina.
Today, the Trust’s five Community Liaisons work directly with communities to understand local challenges and support projects that enhance well-being. For Field, that relationship has been invaluable.
Looking ahead
With recent projects complete, FRAA is now turning to its next major initiative: renovating the historic St. Joseph Church as a community space for arts, culture and gatherings—and as a new revenue source.
For Katrina, these efforts go far beyond the facilities themselves. “Community spaces like our centre, rink and gym mean everything to Field,” says Katrina. “We rely on ourselves to get things done. By understanding what we need and what we are striving to achieve and supporting us in those efforts, the Trust has been tremendous for us.”
