SouthWest Connect Wi-Fi Initiative explained at recent presentation

ABSW Communications Coordinator
Bob Dyrda

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

The Town of Pincher Creek Economic Development Committee (EDC) hosted an Alberta South West Regional Alliance (ABSW) presentation by Communications Coordinator Bob Dyrda as part of their ongoing Speakers Series on the afternoon of Thursday, April 25.  Dyrda touched on many of the projects that ABSW is currently engaged in, including free regional Wi-Fi access points called SouthWest Connect Wi-Fi initiative, the  ABSW website and regional events calendar, the regional business licencing program, GyPSy guide tours (audio GPS tours), and their business directory.


The main focus of the presentation was SouthWest Connect, the company's Wi-Fi program.  "The SouthWest Connect is a series of Wi-Fi hotspots that offers free internet access throughout the whole ABSW region, ideally, connecting businesses, residents, and visitors to our regional information," explained Dyrda.   "It's quite simple.  We create easy access to what there is to see and do, encouraging residents to visit each others communities and encouraging visitors to extend their stay, ideally spending more within the region."

Dyrda said that there are currently 18 Wi-Fi locations with two more to be up and running this month, one at Heritage Acres and one at Waterton Lakes National Park.   Caraway, Coleman, Nanton, "and points all in between" are covered, according to Dyrda .  Three are planned or already established in the town of Pincher Creek, including the Memorial Community Centre Arena,  Pincher Creek Community Hall, and the Agricultural Grounds.

Dyrda said that ABSW has the budget for four more stations to be set up.  If you are a business or organization  in a community that is partnered with ABSW and would like this service you can put in a request to your local Council or ABSW for a connect station.  The ABSW board will review the requests on a first come  first serve basis.

"Alberta Municipal Affairs supported the installations cost of the antennas and the first year maintenance costs for the communities, so that's been covered.   At the end of 2013, we will be handing over those costs to the municipalities, ongoing."  Dyrda explained that each community could then sell advertising connected to the service to support their costs going forward.

Additional signage for the Wi-Fi hotspots will include window clings, highway signs, and posters.  These have been purchased by ABSW, and each community will be responsible for putting  up the signs.