"He's probably our community's biggest ambassador."
~ Emily Colombo, Fort St. James economic development officer
Kevin Gedling has made himself known throughout the region.
At a going-away event held in his honour, Colombo, described a typical reaction from people she met at different events she has attended outside the community when they find out she's from Fort St. James.
She said the common response is: "You're from Fort St. James, do you know Kevin Gedling?"
Three years ago, Kevin Gedling was hired by Site Manager Bob Grill to become the Fort St. James National Historic Site Product Development Officer.
"We had really good applicants for the position," said Grill.
Gedling made an outstanding presentation on how he would increase visitation to the site, and when Grill called to check Gedling's references, his previous employers told him Gedling came with one problem, he was always doing too much, and going outside his job description.
"When I heard that, I knew he was the guy," said Grill.
When Gedling arrived in Fort St. James, he immediately began travelling to Prince George for events and promotions, because they had identified P.G. as their target market.
"He really just became a fixture at everything there was to do in Prince George," said Grill. "I think the mayor said to me: Everywhere I go, there's Kevin."
With a small park like the local historic site, Grill said there were few resources to do many of the extra promotion Gedling had in mind.
Gedling asked Grill for more manpower to help staff booths at promotional opportunities, but Grill had to tell him there wasn't any extra staff available.
But this did not deter Gedling, instead, Gedling joined Volunteer Prince George and became a board member, then recruited volunteers to help with some of the things he wanted to do to promote the park.
"And that surprised me," said Grill. "Kevin has a million ideas all at once, then he tries to work on all of them."
One of Gedling's ideas was the implementation of a free admission day for Aboriginal Day to create a community-wide event.
There was a lot of background work he had to do in order to get permission to allow free entrance to the park for the day, but eventually, after going through all the necessary channels, Gedling made it happen and created a huge community event.
"It was such a successful day, it was worth it," said Grill.
Gedling was also instrumental in getting Fort St. James National Historic Site on the map in other places.
While the park was doing some unique things when he came, they were not necessarily well-known.
For example, the local site is the only Canada Park with a bed and breakfast program, which offers a truly unique visitor experience.
Gedling raised the profile of the bed and breakfast and the site has become well-known for this unusual amenity.
"Now we're famous," said Grill.
Always wearing his Parks Canada uniform, Gedling was tireless at exhibition booths promoting the park and their events.
"He's very animated," said Colombo. "The kids are drawn to him."
"He's been a huge contribution … the leading force on our tourism committee," she said.
But Gedling will not only be leaving a lasting impression on the park itself, he will also be leaving behind a lot of friends he made in his three years.
Colombo had become friends with Gedling instantly, and he was one of the first people she met when she came to Fort St. James while touring the park.
Gedling invited her on her first hike in the area, and they have been on a number of snowshoe adventures and hikes since. Colombo said she will miss always having a willing outdoor activity partner.
Grill said he will miss chatting with Gedling in the mornings.
He said Gedling comes in each morning with new ideas to discuss.
This editor will absolutely miss Gedling both socially and as a phenomenal resource.
Gedling was always incredibly helpful in providing great photographs whenever he could for the paper and wrote press releases which read like a fun story instead of an ad.
Gedling will be leaving at the end of the month to become the Jasper Field Unit Partnering and Engagement Officer in Jasper National Park.
Gedling should likely expect visitors during his stay in Jasper.