Sun Peaks Independent News Vol 19 Issue 8

Vista Trail on an October afternoon. - Photo by Zuzy Rocka.

A Solutions Journalism approach to climate change from a resort community perspective.

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The 20 year anniversary of the Sun Peaks Gala & Delta fire.

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October 22 - November 18. 2021 Vol. 19, Issue 8

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sunpeaksnews.com

IN THIS ISSUE

Visit us: sunpeaksnews.com 250 578 0276 editor@sunpeaksnews.com 213 - 1130 Sun Peaks Rd. Sun Peaks, B.C.

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For comments, questions and concerns contact us at: brandi@sunpeaksnews.com

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Each issue reaches thousands of readers and one copy is available FREE to residents and visitors. Anyone taking papers in bulk will be prosecuted. The opinions expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, owners or writers. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher.

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LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE SUN PEAKS GALA

A&T makes a donation to Royal Inland Hospital and a family of bear are euthanized in Sun Peaks.

BRANDI SCHIER Publisher & Managing Editor brandi@sunpeaksnews.com

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EAST VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES AMID HIGH REAL ESTATE DEMAND

THE FREESTYLE TEAM MOVES FROM WATER TO SNOW

Two new developments are the most recent in additional plans to grow the resort community.

JARRETT HOFMANN Community Journalist jarrett@sunpeaksnews.com

KAYLA EMPEY Community Journalist kayla@sunpeaksnews.com

SONIA GARCÍA Layout & Graphic Designer sonia@sunpeaksnews.com

The volunteer firefighters have a lot to reflect on at this year's event.

8 HOW CAN RESORTS HELP COULD HELP SAVE FUTURE SKI SEASONS? SPIN takes a Solutions Journalism approach to climate change from a resort community perspective.

10 RESORT AND OTHER BUSINESSES FACE PRE-SEASON CHALLENGES Labour and housing remain top concerns.

The growing organization has focused on dryland training and event preparation heading into the winter.

25 BUSINESS LISTINGS & PUZZLES

26 PENDREL'S LAST RACE A look back on Catharine Pendrel’s illustrious mountain biking career.

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local news

A&T DEVELOPMENTS DONATES $50,000 TO THE ROYAL INLAND HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Donation to go towards better equipment and patient-centred care

FAMILY OF BEARS DESTROYED IN VILLAGE Sgt. Mike Sanderson stresses the importance of attraction management in the community

By Kayla Empey

By Kayla Empey

Family of bears became too food conditioned and comfortable around humans.

File photo.

The Royal Inland Hospital Foundation's Together We Rise campaign receives a $50,000 donation from A&T Developments. Photo provided.

A&T Project Developments, a developer and general contractor in Kamloops and Sun Peaks, has donated $50,000 to the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) Foundation’s Together We Rise campaign.

The campaign was established because as the only tertiary acute care hospital in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap area, RIH is lacking the space and equipment needed to provide the best possible care for their patients. They hope to raise $35 million over the next two years.

The funds will go toward expanding the infrastructure of the hospital and new equipment for a patient care tower. Gary Reed, vice president of development at A&T, said in a press release the company is proud to give to a campaign that aligns with their vision to better Kamloops and the surrounding area.

“We have always respected and appreciated our healthcare workers and the value that the RIH Foundation brings to our community,” Reed said.

This is not the first time A&T has given back to the community. Over the past 30 years, they have donated resources and labour to several projects, as well as funded organizations such as Kamloops Foodbank Society, Kamloops Community Animal Centre and the Kamloops Hospice Association.

“One of our core values at A&T is ‘community’ and we take this value very seriously. We believe that aligning ourselves with the values and needs of our community keeps us collectively moving forward,” said Jeff Arnold, president of A&T, in a press release.

The RIH Foundation said they are grateful for the support to their campaign and A&T’s dedication to healthcare in the region.

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A mother bear and two cubs have been destroyed in Sun Peaks after becoming too comfortable around people as a result of accessing unnatural food sources.

Sgt. Mike Sanderson of the Conservation Officer Service said this especially became a problem after the bears got into cooking oil bins from The Annex and from Masa's Bar and Grill at the Village Day Lodge.

With a daycare right in between those two locations, Sanderson made the difficult decision that the bears were posing too much of a risk to public safety.

“It happened on more than one occasion,” he said. “As bears learn a food source they keep coming back to it and so unfortunately that was going to continue.”

He added the bears were also becoming comfortable around humans and were not scaring off easily. This is dangerous with a family of bears because sows may become more defensive or aggressive towards people if it’s to ensure her cubs’ safety.

“It’s a sad situation that those bears had to pay the price for actions that could be improved,” Sanderson said. “It’s the worst thing I’ve had to do in my career so far.”

Previously, there had been reports of two sets of bears: a single bear and the family. Sanderson has not received reports recently for the single bear. With that being said, Sanderson believes it’s likely the single bear is still out there and people aren’t reporting it over the fear it will have a similar fate.

“We’re not looking to find that bear to kill it. We just want to know what that bear is doing so we can evaluate whether it’s posing a safety concern to the public. Or if it’s into things that are unnatural, if we can correct that,” he said.

With at least one bear potentially still in the village, Sanderson wants to urge the community to be cautious about their attraction management. At this time of year, bears are preparing for their denning season by eating calories and gaining weight. They have a strong sense of smell and will hunt down any food they can.

Garbage, pet foods, berry bushes, fruit-bearing trees and bird feeders are all attractants for bears, said Sanderson.

In 2017, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality was working towards becoming Bear Smart Certified. The community formed a nineperson committee and worked with WildSafeBC to begin to complete the six steps required to receive the certification. It was an effort that took place for over a year, but has not yet been completed.

After having to destroy the bears, Sanderson hopes that Sun Peaks can think about becoming a Bear Smart community again.

“I hope that there is something positive that comes from this,” he said.

“I look forward to working with the municipality and the resort and the community members moving forward to try to raise awareness of the importance of attraction management in the community so that this doesn’t have to ever happen again.”

WINTER 2021-22

DROPPING NOV 20.

We are excited to announce that Alpine and Nordic tickets for the 2021-22 winter season are on sale now.

The lifts start turning for skiing and snowboarding on Saturday, November 20, 2021.

It pays to plan ahead. Discounts of up to 40% are available when you purchase tickets in advance through our online store.

When planning your winter fun we recommend purchasing tickets online as early as possible to avoid any potential disappointment. If ticket quantities do become limited, we anticipate that weekends and holidays may sell out ahead of time. More information about our COVID-19 operating procedures and policies can be found at SunPeaksResort.com/covid-19

SunPeaksResort.com 5

local news

EAST VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES AMID HIGH REAL ESTATE DEMAND Two new parcels are being developed, adding 70 units to the community

By Jarrett Hofmann

Two new developments are under construction in the east village.

The Altitude development on parcel 35, which began construction in spring 2021 and completely sold out its first weekend on the market, will contain 40, two and three bedroom condos and townhomes with an average price of $675,000.

Parcel 34, is 2.2 acres of previously undeveloped Crown land located at 5045 Valley Drive. Known as Powder Heights, it will contain five, six-plexes with two and three bedroom units, meaning 30 individual units will be hitting the market this fall. The project is close to its selling phase, despite some initial objections to the rezoning bylaw from nearby residents and property owners.

These are only the most recent of additional east village development projects outlined in the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Sun Peaks Resort Master Plan.

The Sun Peaks Resort Master Plan update is in the process of being finalized and will be completed in the next few months, according to an email from Aidan Kelly, Sun Peaks Resort LLP’s (SPR) chief marketing officer.

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Kelly explained along with the rezoning bylaws and related applications by SPR, work is underway to increase the viability of the east village for more development.

“A new bridge and road are in the process of being constructed in a new area for development in the east village (out past the 14th hole of the golf course),” Kelly said.

This new infrastructure is the first component of the east village loop road to service future development parcels as the resort community continues to grow and evolve through master planning efforts, he added.

“Specific development projects have not yet been finalized but there are a variety of parcels out in this area of the resort that will provide both multi-family and singlefamily construction options well into the future.”

The bridge is expected to be completed this fall. The road will be completed in the spring due to delays related to the Embleton Mountain wildfire.

Additional infrastructure already being planned include the pressure zone 4 (PZ4) water reservoir and associated major water infrastructure projects to service future homes in the east village with water and sewer.

Parcel 24 sits to the north of hole 14 on the Sun Peaks Golf Course. Photo Kyle James.

SPMRM is currently in a quashing period regarding the alternate approval process (AAP), which is required for long-term borrowing to finance the water projects.

Strong demand for housing The pair of developments are timely considering the high demand of real estate brought on during the pandemic. A housing needs assessment study

by Maloka Developments finalized earlier this year showed a clear need for additional units.

The report said the cost of a single-detached home jumped 47 per cent since 2015 and when families or individuals want to rent in Sun Peaks they face an extremely competitive and costly market.

Residents voice concerns over density, safety During the rezoning process of parcel 34 from a Rural Resort 1 (RR1) zone to a Tourist Accommodation 1 (TA1) zone, several residents voiced concerns related to the decision and process, including a lack of notice from the municipality regarding the public hearing.

Nicky Jonsson, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality’s director of corporate services, told SPIN the municipal staff thought notifications had been sent out for the June 15 public rezoning hearing, however they had not.

Immediately following the June 15 public hearing, a third reading and final adoption

was given to the rezoning bylaw during a regular council meeting. This application was submitted by SPR. Luckily, a resident with concerns about the rezoning who owns property in the neighbouring Bridgegate development was online during the virtual meeting and caught the error.

Subsequently, SPMRM apologized for the miscommunication and reconsidered the adoption of the rezoning bylaw during a second public hearing on July 2 where residents were properly notified and given the chance to submit their concerns during the virtual meeting or beforehand in writing.

Common themes of resident concerns were around the unit density of the proposed development, as the area is mainly single family units, and safety concerns around increased pedestrian traffic in an area with limited walkways and lighting.

At the July 2 public info hearing, Peter Nixon, SPR’s real estate development director, said the reason for choosing a multi-family development is because the units are in high demand and it was always a part of the SPR Master Plan to have parcel 34 zoned as TA. “It shouldn't be any surprise to people that this [development] is multi-family,” he said.

He also said the construction of a pedestrian trail is part of the Altitude development agreement although a timeline wasn’t yet finalized and they were unsure if it will connect with the Power Heights development.

During the Aug. 17 regular council meeting, Nixon presented a landscaping plan which included a sidewalk along Valley Dr. which will be illuminated by solar-powered lights similar to ones already found on the valley trail in the west village.

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feature story

WHAT CAN RESORT COMMUNITIES DO TO HELP SAVE FUTURE SKI SEASONS? SPIN takes a Solutions Journalism approach to climate change from a resort community perspective

By Jarrett Hofmann

Photo by Zuzy Rocka.

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climate change will affect ski resort season length and quality due to variability of snowfall amounts and weather patterns, at both a high and low carbon emissions pathway.

According to research on the projected impacts of climate change on Canadian ski resorts by Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada, based on research from the University of Waterloo, the future of ski seasons is dependent on which emissions pathway the world chooses to take.

The study showed if a high emissions pathway (the pathway the world is currently on) continues, an increase of 5.3 to 5.4 degrees celsius is expected by the 2080s, raising average winter temperatures to above freezing in Sun Peaks, B.C. That means, Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) can expect to lose 12 per cent of their current season by the 2050s and 25 per cent by the 2080s if the world continues at a high emissions pathway.

“The great white north is losing its snow,” read the report.

However, if a shift towards the low emissions pathway set by the Paris Climate Agreement can be collectively made, ski seasons can be preserved for future generations.

Tracking carbon production, and then going above and beyond carbon neutrality, is what Peter Larose, a Thompson Rivers University (TRU) professor, researcher and strategist for sustainable tourism development, is urging SPR to do.

Recently, Larose met with SPR and recommended they properly audit their sustainability initiatives and begin to put their focus on sustainability before profit margins.

He said resort communities like SPR tend to have challenges reducing carbon emissions considering a large part of their market comes from overseas customers who produce large amounts of carbon while travelling to Canadian ski resorts before returning home one or two weeks later.

“That’s where the bulk of emissions come from, transportation to and from these destinations, as opposed to actual market consumption of energy and production of CO2,” Larose explained.

SPR’s director of communications, Christina Antoniak, echoed the statement.

“Tourism itself is inherently an industry that can have quite a substantial carbon footprint, when you look at the amount of travel required to get to a destination,” she said. “As a resort, we need to consider whether there’s opportunities for guests who are travelling from afar to offset some of that carbon impact.”

Larose also cited food and beverage systems and food waste as another large contributor to greenhouse gas production in resort communities, something SPR has been working on under the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS).

The ISO 14001 EMS program helps mainly large industrial businesses make plans to manage environmental impacts and track carbon emissions.

Antoniak said SPR has tracked carbon emissions in the past, but does not currently have a sustainability plan in place or a timeline of when one will be produced.

“Emissions and output is part of what we look at, where we need to do better,” Antoniak said. “At this point no, there aren't any plans in place today.”

Antoniak explained the price tag and the timing are reasons why SPR has not yet launched specific projects to reduce future emissions.

However, according to Antoniak the company has invested millions of dollars in other environmentally based initiatives.

SPR’s fuel efficient and idle tracked snowcat fleet and four-stroke sleds have saved thousands of litres of fuel per year; the ski lifts run on hydro powered

electricity (excluding the West Bowl T-bar) and the golf maintenance shop and Sun Peaks Health Centre/SPR Operations buildings are heated geothermally. They also focus on employee training regarding waste control, have eliminated single-use plastics from their food and beverage department and switched to biodegradable bags in retail outlets to reduce pollution and contaminants in the environment.

According to Larose, while these types of initiatives are good, resorts need to immediately begin tracking carbon outputs for their own products, as well as those of the travellers making their way to and from destinations, followed by prioritizing sustainability.

The yin and yang of ISO 14001 According to Antoniak, ISO 14001 is the most recognized EMS standard in the world.

SPR’s website states it’s only one of three North American ski resorts to receive an ISO 14001 certification, along with Jackson Hole in Wyoming, and Aspen Snowmass in Colorado.

However, Aspen Snowmass dropped their ISO 14001 certification according to their 2014 sustainability report, saying the program was “costly and bureaucratic, and because it’s not all that rigorous.”

According to a study called The dark side of ISO 14001: The symbolic environmental behavior,

by Vera Ferrón Vílchez, there are benefits and criticisms of the certification.

The study said benefits of ISO 14001 are it “provides a framework for effective development of an environmental management system,” and “promotes internal assessments in the consumption of energy and resources, the implementation of cost analysis of environmental management that are directly related to the reduction in environmental impacts.”

While both are needed to help reduce the effects of climate change on future ski seasons, there are criticisms. These include the focus on the process, as opposed to results and “previous studies have found inconclusive, and even negative results on the relationship between the adoption of ISO 14001 and the firm’s environmental performance,” read the study.

It concluded saying “the more symbolic the environmental behaviour of the firm, the greater the likelihood of adopting ISO 14001,” but also said not all firms who adopt ISO 14001 standards do so to symbolically bolster their reputation. And some in fact, are able to produce positive environmental results with the framework.

According to SPR, the program has worked well for the resort.

“We take our ISO certification and our EMS really seriously,” Antoniak said.

“For us it has nothing to do with just wanting the public perception. Sun Peaks is doing great things for the environment. We know it's our responsibility as a company to protect the environment that we’re in and mitigate the impacts and preserve the quality of the experience that we have.”

She said SPR is also required to show continual improvement to be recertified under the program every three years and they are audited annually for program effectiveness.

If and when SPR decides to take their environmental efforts to the next level, others in the industry have begun to pave the way.

An industry giant leading by example Auden Schendler, the senior vice president of sustainability for Aspen Snowmass, spoke in a POW Canada webinar titled: Ski resort realities in a warming climate, about the role of the industry in combating climate change.

“What makes a difference is when businesses use corporate power to drive change in material ways,” Schendler said.

Schendler added the problem with ‘green’ programs is that businesses say they are going to implement green organizational initiatives and then advocate for the environment.

However he said the advocacy, which is the important part, gets sidelined.

Schendler suggested the industry should question its role in combating climate change, which should include “role modelling solutions for the world and wielding the power as a unique understandably climate-affected entity to drive political change.”

Aspen Snowmass’ initiatives work to encapsulate both of these roles.

This year, Aspen Snowmass completed a completely electric employee housing project as a solution for both climate change and a housing crisis, which is so common in North American ski resorts.

“When we did this project engineers said you can’t use [solar panels] and electric heat pumps in this climate.”

Schendler explained despite the doubt they were able to complete the project as imagined.

He said engineers thought it wasn't possible as they hadn’t yet been exposed to the new technology as not enough ski resorts are leading by this example.

According to an Aspen Snowmass press release, the housing project cost $19 million USD. The high price tag is another barrier preventing ski resorts from implementing similar changes.

Next, the company plans to build an all electric hotel in Mammoth, CA. Although one electric hotel and one electric employee housing building won’t completely solve climate change, Schendler said it’s a way to demonstrate solutions to engineers, other ski resorts and policy makers.

The important work though, will come from systemic change and industry unification.

Schendler explained when the movement to fight climate change first began 25 to 30 years ago, it was focused only on getting clean power, which Aspen Snowmass did before realizing it was “just a paper transaction and it wasn’t causing system change.”

“When you think about the ski industry’s approach to climate, it’s always been about individual resort action versus systemic change. If we’re going to exist in the future, we’re going to have to pivot to the concept of systemic change.”

They reworked their strategy and looked at their own utilities which were governed by an elected board and almost 100 per cent coal powered.

Aspen Snowmass backed board candidates with climate focused platforms. The utilities board has since changed and their utilities are now 40 per cent renewable and will be almost 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

“The metaphor that best explains this is the old CEO was a weightlifter. His thing was squatting 400 pounds; that was his [focus].

Now, the CEO is a climate scientist. That’s what you need to get to.”

Additional ways forward Larose said while there is no silver bullet for carbon neutrality in tourism development, he suggested tourism communities should look at regenerative tourism, where visitors can improve destinations above and beyond carbon neutrality.

“Rather than reducing all the bad stuff we’re doing, let’s proactively do good stuff. Let’s go plant trees; let’s go and restore habitat,” Larose said.

These kinds of initiatives would transition destinations to be able to absorb carbon dioxide, instead of being a sector where the main crux is customers who are required to use mostly carbon-burning transportation options.

A plant-a-tree program or an adopt-a-trail program where tourists volunteer their time to improve mountain biking trails similar to the We Are One Wednesday’s hosted by the Sun Peaks Recreational Trails Association (SPRTA), are two examples of ways visitors could positively affect a community.

Larose also made an interesting comparison with the tourism and the agriculture industry.

“Think of tourism as an ecosystem, as one integrated unit that has inputs and outputs,” Larose said. “In agriculture, you fallow a field.

You allow it to regenerate by rotating crops so that you’re not extracting from the soil.”

But, how do you fallow a field or rotate crops in a resort destination? “[By] leaving it barren, allowing a resort destination to recover somewhat from the massive influx from tourists in peak seasons of winter and summer,” Larose explained.

However, the issue lies in the fact he couldn’t think of a single B.C. resort destination who isn’t trying or doesn’t want to increase their shoulder and low season visitation.

“It makes sense to some extent. But when you think of it as an ecosystem, when you start thinking about the consumer experience and individual businesses and its workers, maybe downtime is good for these destinations that have extreme visitor to resident ratios, to allow it to kind of readjust and absorb the impacts and then recover.”

Larose said the tourism economy could go so far as to one day be able to rebuild communities and enhance environmental conditions through additional forms of sustainability, including social inclusivity, distribution of wealth and local purchasing, which all make for a vibrant, stable, resilient, engaged community.

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local news

LABOUR ISSUES TOP CONCERN FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY FOLLOWING BORDER RESTRICTION EASEMENT While the tourism industry is looking ahead to eased border restrictions and increased capacities under the provincial passport system, staffing remains a significant challenge.

Staffing levels are still nowhere near pre-pandemic levels and labour concerns continue to plague the tourism industry, Aidan Kelly, Sun Peaks Resort LLP’s (SPR) chief marketing officer, told SPIN in an email.

Last winter season, many international workers at Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) were finishing their two-year working holiday visas, choosing to stay in Canada after the first wave of the pandemic due to the logistical challenges of returning home.

However, many of those staff have now returned to their home countries and SPR and other village businesses are looking to fill those roles.

“Last season, we fared somewhat decent on the staffing front for a variety of reasons,” he explained.

“When COVID initially hit, there were lots of folks already in the country. With all the challenges getting back home, many just stayed in Canada to complete their second year and Sun Peaks became a natural attraction due to positive word of mouth throughout the industry on the experience we offer.”

SPR and other Sun Peaks businesses are instead leaning on eased international travel restrictions and domestic workers as they recruit for the upcoming winter.

As well as difficulties related to border restrictions and obtaining working holiday visas, housing is an additional crux for incoming workers.

“Tourism and resort communities everywhere are facing significant staff housing challenges,” Kelly said.

“Sun Peaks is in a somewhat better position than many locations, but it’s still a primary issue within the community.

There are many complex factors that all contribute to [housing] and COVID has introduced some new dynamics, which further impact the availability of housing for employees.”

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Where Sun Peaks staff will come from and where they will stay remains uncertain

By Jarrett Hofmann

Kelly told SPIN SPR has entered into a long-term lease agreement with The Burfield (the former hostel) to house some of their incoming staff, sharing the building with staff from another local business.

“The driving force behind this initiative is the growing demand for employee housing in the community due to a combination of less beds available in the free market and more staff needed for growing business needs in all areas,” said Kelly.

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) Mayor Al Raine, recently addressed the issue during meetings with the provincial minister of municipal affairs.

“Ninety per cent of the [Sun Peaks] economy is driven by tourism,” said Raine. “Tourism has taken a 70 per cent hit, that affects all of the businesses and employment here.”

“I’m trying to get the message out to the provincial government that the tourism industry is going to need some help and support if we’re going to bounce back.”

Raine said he believes marketing support and affordable housing are two things that will help the community eventually return to its pre-pandemic tourism levels.

“We’re not going to bounce back overnight and if we don’t wrestle with affordable housing pretty quick, I think it’s going to be more and more difficult to find employees because none of them can afford to stay.”

Kelly added the issue impacts both the resort and their hotel property, The Sun Peaks Grand Hotel, as well as other private businesses in the community.

“Overall we’re somewhat optimistic [about this winter], but staffing challenges and shortages are very real in the tourism sector as a whole and we will feel this burden in Sun Peaks.”

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) organized a free virtual job fair for Sun Peaks employers who are looking to fill their staffing roles on Oct. 20.

The staff shortage impacts both the resort and their hotel property, The Sun Peaks Grand Hotel, as well as other private businesses in the community. - Photo Zuzy Rocka.

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local news

BLUEBIRD DAY FUND LOOKS FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE WINTER SEASON BDF’s Sports Mentorship Program gives kids the opportunity to experience the mountain

By Kayla Empey

Financially disadvantaged youth have been able to hit the slopes for over a decade thanks to the Bluebird Day Fund (BDF). With the winter season nearing, BDF is looking for volunteers to continue to make their program a success.

Participants of the Bluebird Day Fund's Sports Mentorship Program. Photo from Bluebird Day Fund on Facebook.

The Sports Mentorship Program is an initiative to give children an opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard at no cost, run by BDF in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Kamloops.

Alec Chaplin, co-director of the program, said it’s a great opportunity for kids who usually don’t get those types of opportunities or have a tough financial situation at home.

“For them it’s a different experience and something that they’re not usually going to be a part of,” he said. “Some of them haven’t even really skied before.”

The Boys & Girls Club is responsible for coordinating the youth who participate, while BDF raises funds to cover all the costs of transportation from Kamloops to Sun Peaks, rental gear, ski passes and lunch.

Chaplin said he encourages people to volunteer because it’s fun to see the children enjoying themselves. It’s also rewarding to watch them grow and excel, he said.

“When everyone’s ski levels have kind of increased to that point that we can go down runs together, we’re not split off into groups as much, that’s when it really becomes an awesome experience.”

Strong bonds are formed through the program. Since the volunteers and youth spend quite a bit of time together over the winter, all the participants often become friends.

“We all get together at lunch and everyone’s laughing and talking about their weeks or just how much fun they’re having on the ski hill,” said Chaplin. “Near the end you’re all high fiving and everyone knows each other.”

Chaplin has been volunteering for the program for the past two years, but this will be his first season as a co-director.

The program was a “no-brainer” for Chaplin to get involved with as he competed in sports for most of his youth and coached sports as an adult.

The Sports Mentorship Program runs two Sundays a month, beginning in January until the end of the winter season. BDF is looking for volunteers who have their own ride to the mountain and a season pass for Sun Peaks Resort.

If a volunteer needs to purchase a day pass there is a small rebate available.

“Really it’s just trying to have a fun day out on the mountain with the kids,” Chaplin said.

He added they are also looking for anyone who is interested in donating to the fund. With the pandemic, BDF hasn’t been able to hold their normal fundraising events, leaving them a bit behind where they would normally be financially.

If you would like to become a volunteer or donate, you can reach out on their Facebook page or by email at bdfsunpeaks@gmail.com.

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MUNICIPALITY SEEKS CONSULTANT TO PLAN FOR AFFORDABLE EMPLOYEE HOUSING

By Kayla Empey

The Sun Peaks Resort Master Plan and the Official Community Plan are both currently being updated.

- Photo Kyle James

The Sun Peaks Housing Authority’s (SPHA) board supported a request

by Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) to seek an experienced housing consultant to create an affordable employee nonmarket housing strategy at the organization's AGM on Oct. 19.

Shane Bourke, SPMRM’s chief administrative officer, said employee housing has consistently been identified as a need in Sun Peaks and the next step is to hire a project-based consultant.

“We think there's a benefit in tapping into consultants who've had experience in this area, and maybe could access many different people through a consultant group, as opposed to hiring one person to do this work,” said Bourke in an interview with SPIN. “This is a way that we can utilize the expertise and knowledge of people who've already done models like ours.

The SPHA was established in 2018, and was in the planning stages in late 2016. While no new housing development units have yet been purchased or earmarked for the organization, the municipality has made progress regarding a parcel of land in the west end of the village.

Parcel 69 is currently undeveloped Crown land near the entrance to Sun Peaks. A year ago SPHA applied to transfer the land for use as an affordable housing site. Recently, the province provided approval to begin an archaeological survey in consultation with the surrounding First Nations bands.

Bourke said they are hoping to complete the survey before the snow falls, but there is no timeline on when the transfer of land will take place or when construction will begin.

“How to fund future construction is something we are seeking advice from the consultants on,” he said.

The goal is to provide more affordable options for both rentals and home ownership. They are looking for a consultant who understands the unique challenges presented by being a resort municipality, such as only having a fixed amount of land and housing prices increasing faster than the average community.

“As more people from the Lower Mainland are moving permanently to Sun Peaks that has affected our employee housing market,” Bourke said.

“Places like Whistler and Tofino—there's some places that have tourism economies that are also looking at similar challenges as us.”

The strategy submitted by the consultants should include recommendations for a five-year period, outlining the financial plan and actions required to achieve the objectives.

Bourke said they have spoken with a number of consultants who have expertise in this area and have expressed interest. They are expecting proposals by the end of November and are hoping to make a selection by the end of the year so they can begin to take action in 2022.

The municipality is open to a wide range of suggestions. They said they intend to evaluate proposals based on their overall value, including non-financial and qualitative values.

“This is a big and important task for the municipality and for the employees that live here and want to live here,” said Bourke. “We're trying to make sure that we're keeping progress and with the ultimate goal of increasing employee housing options. This is one more step in the process.”

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arts

The Sotheby's Art Auction has a long tradition of supporting local non-profits.

File photo.

SOTHEBY’S ART AUCTION LOOKING FOR SUBMISSIONS

OPEN MIC COFFEE HOUSE IN HEFFLEY CREEK

By Kayla Empey

By Kayla Empey

A call for local art donations is now on in support of Sotheby’s 14th Annual Art Auction.

The event, hosted by Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in partnership with ArtZone Sun Peaks, aims to showcase local talent while also fundraising for charity. This year, the auction is raising money for Adaptive Sports Sun Peaks.

The auction will take place online on Dec. 9, but will allow for an inperson walk through to view the art in the Great Hall of the Sun Peaks Centre.

If you would like to donate a piece, you can call Sotheby’s at 250-578-7773 or stop by their office in the village for more details. All art must be submitted by Nov. 9 to allow time for input and professional photos to be taken.

On Oct. 23, Heffley Creek Hall is hosting an in-person open mic coffee house. This is the first time in over two years that this event has been able to take place live.

Proof of at least one vaccination is required for admission. Masks are required in the common areas for ages nine and up, but can be taken off during eating and singing.

Doors open at 5:30pm and the show begins at 6:30pm. Only 50 people are allowed inside the building including entertainers, volunteers and the audience—so arrive early! Admission is $3 a person.

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The Embleton Mountain wildfire shortly before residents were evacuated from the village of Whitecroft. - Photo Zuzy Rocka.

events

THE SUN PEAKS GALA RETURNS IN PERSON FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY Sun Peaks Fire Rescue and their volunteer society will be honoured for their work on the recent Embleton Mountain wildfire and the 20th anniversary of the Delta fire

Every year the annual gala hosted by the Sun Peaks Volunteer Fire Department Society raises money for local non-for-profits, but this year the society is partially raising money to help support their own efforts in the community.

The Gala aims to recognize the organization's efforts during the Embleton Mountain wildfire this past summer, as well as acknowledge the 20 year anniversary of the Delta fire.

Remembering the Delta fire It was 12:55pm on Oct. 26, 2001 when the fire department got the call that the Delta hotel, now called the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre, was on fire. The department had been taking a course for air brakes that night, which caused most of them to be at the hall until after 10 p.m. They went to bed not knowing what was ahead.

Mario Pozza, the deputy fire chief at the time, recalled getting the call.

“From where my house is situated, I walk out of my bedroom and we have a direct view down the valley directly towards the Delta, and you could see that it was actually on fire,” he said. “Frequently we get a lot of false alarms, but this was definitely real.”

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Original newspaper clippings from the Delta fire. Provided by Mario Pozza.

By Kayla Empey

Pozza and a few others showed up to the scene with an old pumper truck and did what they could to prevent the fire from spreading. They called Kamloops for support and when they realized how big the fire was, sent up a brand new truck.

“It was a whole community effort to try to keep it under control,” said Pozza.

The hotel had just filled up 75 large propane bottles days before, Pozza recalled, so there were explosions and propane bottles flying past like rockets.

The fire was mostly extinguished in six to eight hours, but the team attended to it for a day and a half.

Twenty years later, the community remembers the work that they put into fighting the fire.

“I really think it took Sun Peaks from a resort town and turned it into a community,” Pozza said. “This was all hands on deck. If we hadn’t sort of kept it under control, we could have easily lost the whole village. It was everybody's livelihood on the line. It has a tendency to bring people together.”

The Embleton Mountain wildfire This past summer, another unruly fire threatened Sun Peaks and its extended community.

On July 10, 2021, the Sun Peaks Fire Rescue team left to help tackle the Embleton Mountain wildfire just seven kilometers west of Sun Peaks.

Fire Chief Dean Schiavon said he commended his team for the amount of work they put in. The first day they worked to set up structural protection for the village of Whitecroft along the edge of the fire facing the creek by running sprinklers, hose lines and pumps. After that, they began focusing on doing “smart work” around the nearby houses, to stop the fire from advancing and endangering the homes.

It was 13 days before the fire was taken care of and the firefighters could rest.

“They put in a lot of hours down there,” said Schiavon.

“They were working right through the middle of the night and then we started getting on three person rotations, 12 hour shifts. So they were down there 24 hours a day.”

How close the fire got to the community has made people realize how important the work of the fire department is to ensure public safety.

“I think a lot of people are very aware of the contribution that we made down there this year,” said Schiavon. “This is an ideal year to have the society as a beneficiary again, especially being the 20 year anniversary of the Delta fire.”

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The 2021 Gala Pozza, now the president of the Sun Peaks Volunteer Firefighters’ Society, said after the Embleton wildfire they see the value in fundraising for the society at the Gala this year to afford better equipment and training.

The society isn’t entirely sure what the money raised will go towards yet. The long-term goal is getting a structural protection unit, Pozza said, but the unit and the truck required to haul it could cost almost $300,000. But Pozza said even less expensive items like sprinklers could help them be more prepared for wildfire seasons to protect the community.

The Gala will take place on Nov. 20 and cost $130 per person. The night includes a three course dinner, silent and live auctions and entertainment. The fundraising will be shared between the Volunteer Firefighters’ Society and Adaptive Sports Sun Peaks.

Due to current provincial government health regulations, ticket sales will be limited and all participants must show valid proof of full vaccination status to attend. In addition, guests will be required to remain seated during the event.

Tickets will be available starting Oct. 22 at trellis.org/2021-sun-peaks-gala.

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sports

After mechanical issues caused less than ideal results in Loudenville, France, Helly was able to pick up the pace and finish a successful 2022 season

By Jarrett Hofmann

HELLY IMPROVES TOWARDS END OF ENDURO WORLD SERIES SEASON Helly hangs out some air time in Italy. Photo by Andy Vathis.

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Helly keeping his eyes on the prize in this year's EWS. Photo by Andy Vathis.

Johnathan Helly, a Kamloops Enduro World Series (EWS) U-21 racer, recently wrapped up the 2021 series in 23rd place overall, opting to skip the last race due to logistical issues and a successful season thus far.

The second half of the season began in Loudenville, France, where the nature of the trails favoured Helly’s fast and aggressive riding style.

Unfortunately, luck was not on his side when mechanical issues resulted in a 37th place finish after he broke the shifter off his handlebars with his knee, causing it to get wrapped up in his front wheel.

“It jolted me forward off my bike and I went OTB [over the bars],” Helly said.

Helly was only able to finish the stage by sprinting the final 200 metres on foot with his bike in hand.

A slightly better 27th place finish followed at the second Loudenvill stage, but Helly wasn’t shaken, improving with two 15th place finishes, one in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, and another in Finale Ligure, Italy.

“I’m looking forward to next year for sure. For the last two races, my goal was to ride at 70 per cent, to learn as much as I can and make building blocks for myself to grow next year.”

Helly said he is hoping to get into the top 10, and then top five the next year. And, given he was one of the youngest competitors in the U-21 category this year, those at the top of the pack will be moving on to the Pro Men category, making way for the young phenom.

Looking back, Helly said his favourite moments from the second half of the EWS season were being able to race against familiar Canadian athletes from past National competition, making new friends, learning from old ones, and of course his sixth place finish in the Loudenville Prologue race, new to this year’s EWS. “It’s like a mini [DH] race before the second race of the day. I came down, didn’t think I had too good of a run

because my foot unclipped a few times and I made a few sloppy mistakes. But, then the time showed up and I was 6th place. I was stoked about that.”

Upon returning from the 2021 EWS, Helly and fellow Canadian EWS racer Emmet Hancock, were able to wrap up their season lapping the Sun Peaks Bike Park on closing day.

“I was looking forward to the Sun Peaks Enduro. Sadly, it got cancelled. But, my friend Emmet came up and we had such a hoot. The trails were running so good,” Helly said.

“Also, I’d like to thank We Are One Composites. They supported me all year in getting me over to the races over in Europe, and Dustin Adams, as well as Troy Lee Designs.”

To see full results from this year’s EWS, go to enduroworldseries.com.

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sports

FREESTYLE CLUB DRIFTS FROM WATER RAMPS TO SNOW After a busy summer, the Sun Peaks Freestyle Club prepares to host two large ski events this winter

By Kayla Empey

Now that ski and snowboard events are able to take place again for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, the Sun Peaks Freestyle Club (SPFC) is once again preparing for the winter season.

Brennan Thompson, president of the club, said some of their athletes continued to train and prepare through the off-season. In the spring and fall, SPFC worked with the Kamloops Gymnastics and Trampoline Club to do trampoline training. In the summer, they had several of their athletes go to Oliver, B.C. to participate in water ramp programs through Freestyle Apex.

One of the programs in Oliver that SPFC’s younger athletes participated in was Girlstylerz, which provides training using a water ramp, air bag, trampoline and dry land training.

“It’s a fairly new initiative that launched a few years ago to bring more girls into the sport,” said Thompson.

Sun Peaks Freestyle Club athlete, Cambria Edgecombe.

Photo taken by Trevor Lott.

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Water ramp facility in Oliver, BC. Photo Trevor Lott.

While summer training is fun, there is nothing quite like the snow. This upcoming winter, the club has two ski events planned: The Canada Cup and the Timber Tour. While there are no snowboarding events planned right now, Thompson said they hope to add one to their schedule.

The Canada Cup will take place in Sun Peaks between Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. This is a high level competition, including athletes on provincial teams or at the national development level, just below the World Cup level. It draws about 100 athletes from across Canada.

The Timber Tour is a B.C. provincial series event that will be in Sun Peaks from Feb. 10 to 13. Two other Timber Tour events will also take place in Panorama and Whistler.

They draw about 200 athletes from across the province and include moguls, big air and slopestyle events.

This is SPFC’s second time hosting the Timber Tour.

The last time they hosted was in 2020, a week before the COVID-19 lockdown began.

“That’s kind of the last event that happened in B.C. since COVID started,” said Thompson. “This is a big year to go back to having any events.”

Although the pandemic affected the events, SPFC gained quite a few new members last season. Thompson said that since other sports weren’t able to take place, skiing and snowboarding became more popular. The club currently has around 70 skiers and 15 snowboarders.

“The momentum has carried on. We’re already on track to grow a little bit more,” said Thompson. “It’s looking like a good year.”

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sports

A LOOK BACK ON CATHARINE PENDREL’S ILLUSTRIOUS MOUNTAIN BIKING CAREER The two time World Champion, four time Olympian, 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist, and eight time National Champion spoke with SPIN about career highlights and next steps in the world of crosscountry mountain biking

By Jarrett Hofmann

It’s a difficult thing to admit for the Kamloopsbased Olympian, but Catharine Pendrel is moving on from full-time mountain bike racing.

A career that started on her big brother's hand-me-down bike, riding homemade trails in rural New Brunswick, evolved into one of the most successful Canadian mountain biking careers to date.

The four time Olympian’s long and impressive career is nothing short of amazing.

With eight National Championship titles, a 2016 Rio Olympic Games bronze medal, three time overall Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Cup title winner, two time UCI World Champion, (the list goes on), Pendrel is looking forward to the next chapter of her career.

Her decision, she said, is something she was deliberating for some time, but it felt right for her to retire after the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Part of the decision was she was turning 40, and her and husband Keith Wilson wanted to try and start a family.

“Then the pandemic happened, and that threw things off kilter because I was turning 40 soon and wanted to have a baby, but then I wasn’t going to have my final year of racing, so I decided to try both,” Pendrel said.

The pandemic and pregnancy provided insight into what it would be like to not be travelling all the time, as it provided a step back from competition.

However, Pendrel doesn’t plan on leaving mountain biking anytime soon.

“I really don’t see my life in the bike world ending,” Pendrel said. “I feel confident that in some capacity I’ll be seeing the same friends, following the [World Cup] circuit and able to retain some elements of it in my life for years to come.”

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With her new perspective, Pendrel said she doesn’t see her transition as a sad thing, but will miss the Clif Pro Team she’s been a part of for 14 years.

“You’re never going to spend as much time with that family, your road family, as you have before. That’s going to change and people are going on to new things so there’s that nostalgia.

But, I’m looking forward to one more fun weekend with them,” Pendrel explained.

Pendrel will be taking part in one final race this season, the OZ Trails Off-Road Epic Ride where she will participate in a Fat Tire Circuit as well as a 50-Mile Pro Women Backcountry Race the following day, in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Afterwards, Pendrel foresees her career evolving in one of two ways, either in mountain bike coaching, or ambassadorship for the sport.

“One stream would be more like an ambassador within the industry and maybe doing some racing, like the Epic Rides, or more adventure kind of racing, but from more of a mentoring aspect, supporting the bike industry and working with different companies,” she said.

The other stream Pendrel is considering, is as a mountain biking coach with her husband Wilson. He is a top-notch coach who helped her on her way to three of her Olympic spots, her UCI World Championship titles and World Cup podium finishes and overall titles.

Wilson also coached other Kamloops-based elite cross-country mountain biking athlete Jenn Jackson to victory at the 2021 Canadian National Championship in September. Pendrel finished fourth at the event.

Pendrel added if she decides to take the coaching route, they are hoping to keep the national title in Kamloops, with the help of Jackson and other national team level riders.

“We’re both integrated into the cycling community. Coaching and mentorship fit together. [I] want to help the next crew of Canadians get to a point in their career that I’ve had experience with,” Pendrel said.

Of course, Pendrel is also excited to spend more time with her daughter Dara, who arrived only six months before Pendrel was to race in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Pendrel said having Dara was one of the biggest challenges she had to overcome in her career, along with her epic at the 2012 London Olympics, when she was favoured to win after coming off her first World Championship title in 2011 and UCI overall series title in 2010.

Pendrel ended up in ninth place at the games.

“That was the most emotionally, mentally challenging thing. I think the emotional things are a lot harder actually to overcome than physical injuries,” Pendrel said.

“I really underperformed at those games.

In retrospect, ninth wasn’t so bad. But, at the time it was devastating because I should have been able to medal. I lost a lot of confidence in myself that I could perform on the big day, that I was the same rider going into those Games.”

Catharine Pendrel fist pumps her way across the finish line at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. Photo by Getty Images.

Pendrel marked her comeback with a second UCI World Championship title in 2014, where she had required herself to throw caution to the wind, allowing herself to be put into a situation where failure was possible again.

“I totally threw any safety net out the window, and I was like ‘I’m going all in on this and maybe I blow up and have a horrible result, or maybe I have a really good day, but I’m never going to know if I can have a good day unless I put myself out there.’”

The strategy paid off and carved a path toward a 2015 Canadian National title, a 2015 Pan Am Games silver medal and a 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medal.

When asked about trying to pinpoint a best moment from her career, Pendrel pointed toward her two UCI World Championship titles and bronze medal at the Rio Olympics.

“In particular, the first title was a big deal, to get it done on a day where everyone is trying to perform at their best and then seeing how much it meant to the team, manager and coach.”

Pendrel also highlighted how special it was to form bonds with fellow athletes throughout her career, and said she will miss the constant travel, the excitement and nerves of racing.

“I’m sure I’ll be watching races and think ‘Wow, what if I was in there and racing with them too!’ But, I’m excited to get to a point where I can enjoy watching it.”

Pendrel is looking forward to spending family time with her husband and daughter, and is excited to have the option to opt for family hikes as opposed to training every weekend.

To find out more about Pendrel, visit her website at www.cpendrel.com.

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