Page 6 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Aug. 30, 2007
Resort get $2.2 million upgrade to infrastructure By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Tofino–Tin Wis Best Western Resort, owned and operated by Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, is bustling with activity as an excavator and dump trucks criss-cross the normally serene property. The resort is building to better accommodate its guests. Hotel employee Elmer Frank said $2.2 million worth of upgrades will include a new laundry facility, office space and staff lunchroom, which is under construction next to the conference centre. Additionally, the 10-unit doublewide trailer, which serves as staff accommodation, will be taken away, replaced with a 20-unit building complete with in-unit restrooms and sinks. Contractor Island West Coast Developments began work July 16 and expects to finish in October. Tin Wis Resort boasts 85 units ranging from standard rooms to higher-end suites. It is also home to Calm Waters Restaurant, a conference centre and a highly successful gift shop. Located on a magnificent beach, Tin Wis enjoys a 100 per cent occupancy rate from May to September. Frank said the resort stays about 60 per cent full during the winter months. A large percentage of the Tin Wis staff are of First Nations ancestry; many chose to make careers out of the hospitality industry as a result of their employment there. While hospitality industry workers are in high demand in Tofino, a major drawback to securing employment is the lack of affordable housing. Tin Wis
Business is good at the Tla-o-quiaht-owned Tin Wis Best Western Resort in Tofino, and management has big plans to improve on the already successful operation, with construction on upgrades to infrastructure begun on July 16. The resort boasts a beautiful ocean vista and a First Nations cultural component, which makes it a unique and desireable destination for tourists visiting the area.
addressed this problem by bringing in a trailer, which is hidden away in the forest near the highway entrance to the resort. “The old trailer is pretty run down and we have no use for it, so we’ll just get rid of it,” said Frank. Part of the resort’s popularity stems from brilliant marketing ideas. One idea was to construct a carving shed in the parking lot where First Nations artists would work on projects as hotel guests observed. “They get to watch the artists at work and the artists sell more of their work that way,” Frank said. But managers have new ideas for the open-air shed. “We’re taking bids to turn the shelter into a gift shop,” said Frank. Currently, the lobby serves as a guest reception area and gift shop. “We would like to offer more products and keep up with the demand,” Frank explained, adding they wanted the lobby area to focus on guest services. Tin Wis sells large volumes of its
Transportation Survey
Do you need a ride? If there were reasonably priced transportation available from your home, how would you use it? o To go to appointments, doctor, dentist, lawyer
o o o o
Shopping, groceries, bill paying, banking Events visit friends/relatives, go to the lake, school or work Courier service, documents delivered
To the airport or ferry Where would you go? Nanaimo Tofino
Courtenay Port Alberni
Comox Vancouver
How many times would you use it? 1 x a week
2 x a month
3 x a month
Please call Ron Dick Sr. to complete this survey. Phone @ 723-8340 or cell 731-5118.
Ucluelet First Nation
A bird’s eye view of territory Continued from page 1. “Some think we have total tax-free status and that’s not true. We pay taxes every time we buy gas, clothes and other things, but it’s the government that gets the money,” she explained. In a post-treaty environment, the First Nation will have the authority to decide whether or not to charge taxes on settlement lands; and if they do, it’s the people of the First Nation that benefits. Voting on the treaty will take place Oct. 19.
“We need to involve all of our eligible voters,” said Touchie. There is a room at the Ucluelet First Nation Treaty Office devoted to treaty information and all of the nation’s members are invited to drop in and look at everything. Employees of the treaty team are available to answer questions about treaty. A few lucky members of Ucluelet First Nation will soon be invited north to Nisga’a territory where they will see treaty in action.
jackets, vests and shirts emblazoned with its signature serpent logo. Other products with the design include blankets, cups and wine glasses. The restaurant also sells its own specialty brand of coffee from the gift shop. Many First Nation artists sell their prints and other products through the gift shop. One may also find contemporary items like candle holders and jewellery. “Right now we’re working on a smaller scale than we want and we can’t keep up with the demand,” said Frank. In the past two years the resort turned
its attention to catering for weddings. “I’d say we’ve improved by 100 per cent in that area,” said Frank. While Frank was reluctant to talk about the resort’s annual revenue, he did say they are doing alright and have more plans for improvement. For example, the cedar pillars at the lobby entrance will be made even more beautiful after the sea serpents are carved into them. “We have headdress-like serpent heads that will be added to the top of the pillars,” Frank explained.