Sun Peaks Independent News, Volume 21, Issue 10

October 20 - November 17, 2023

Vol. 21, Issue 10

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Children play on the new playground on a warm fall day. Photo by Liz McDonald.

Long-time Sun Peaks local and business owner Ian McLaren passes away.

08.

Sun Peaks Plaza and playground officially opens.

04.

sunpeaksnews.com

BEARS are still out looking for food!

PLEASE no garbage or attractants outside! PUMPKINS included!

Your actions will prevent human/bear conflict and save an animals life! is a proud supporter of Sun Peaks Bear Aware!

Sun Peaks Bear Aware is a nonprofit organization founded by a group of dedicated volunteers.

Through education, information and community engagement we aim to minimize human/bear conflicts, creating an environment where people and bears can coexist successfully here at Sun Peaks Resort.

Follow Sun Peaks Bear Aware on Facebook or contact them at sunpeaksbearaware@gmail.com

IN THIS ISSUE 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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COST FOR DAYCARE IN SUN PEAKS ANNOUNCED

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TREATED TO UPGRADES

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality is applying for the childcare operating fund and fee reduction initiative to reduce costs for enrollement.

Upgrading the plant’s aging infrastructure will increase storage capacity from 50 to 450 cubic metres by the end of construction in 2024.

SUN PEAKS PLAZA AND PLAYGROUND OFFICIALLY OPEN Children joyfully explored the playground during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

For comments, questions and concerns contact us at: brandi@sunpeaksnews.com Visit us: sunpeaksnews.com editor@sunpeaksnews.com 213 - 1130 Sun Peaks Rd. Sun Peaks, B.C.

05 SUN PEAKS NEW WILDFIRE PROTECTION UNIT IS READY FOR NEXT YEAR The trailer is stocked with equipment to protect homes and businesses should a wildfire encroach on the village.

06 BRANDI SCHIER Publisher brandi@sunpeaksnews.com

JULIANNA HORVAT Partnerships Manager julianna@sunpeaksnews.com

HOLLIE FERGUSON Community Editor editor@sunpeaksnews.com

LIZ MCDONALD

SUN PEAKS MAYOR SETS OUT COMMUNITY’S PRIORITIES AT UBCM Mayor Al Raine met with ministers to discuss funding, wildfire mitigation and more.

08 LONG-TIME SUN PEAKS LOCAL AND BUSINESS OWNER IAN MCLAREN PASSES AWAY As the original owner of McSporties, Ian McLaren had “a whole life that was dedicated to trying to have a good time.”

10

Community Journalist liz@sunpeaksnews.com

SHORTER BURN WINDOWS MEANS FIRE PREVENTION COULD CHANGE IN SUN PEAKS

SONIA GARCÍA

Sun Peaks explores chipping and spreading forest debris instead of pile burning as climate change shortens burn windows.

Layout & Graphic Designer sonia@sunpeaksnews.com

12 WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA? For the first time in 20 years, B.C. is trying to create a coordinated strategy for outdoor recreation.

14 EVENTS

15 PUZZLE

16 LOCAL INTERNATIONAL-LEVEL MOUNTAIN BIKER FINISHES TOUR WITH A SEVENTH PLACE WIN AT WORLD SERIES Brock Hawes spent the summer competing in 15 races across eight countries, accomplishing one of his season’s goals – placing in the top ten at a world series race.

18 SUN PEAKS BEAR AWARE WARNS OF INCREASED BEAR ACTIVITY AFTER LOW BERRY CROP This year's berry crop is lower than expected due to droughts and wildfires, which could cause increasing interactions with humans.

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local news

The daycare will tentatively open by the end of October after construction delays.

Photo by Liz McDonald

Flocks of youth and adults attended a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open Sun Peaks Playground and Plaza on Oct. 12, 2023. Photo by Liz McDonald

SUN PEAKS DAYCARE CENTRE ENROLLMENT COSTS ANNOUNCED

SUN PEAKS PLAZA AND PLAYGROUND OFFICIALLY OPEN

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality is applying for the childcare operating fund and fee reduction initiative to reduce costs for enrollement.

Children joyfully explored the playground during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

By Liz McDonald Sun Peaks Daycare Centre is slated to open at the end of this month after construction delays.

The daycare should open shortly after a licensing inspection by Interior Health on Oct. 20., according to the daycare manager, Janice Hoppenreys.

Enrollment for children under three will be $40 per day after subsidies are approved. For ages three to five, the daily rate will also be $40.

The school-aged program on Fridays for kids ages five to 10 will cost between $39 and $49 per day, depending on the child’s age.

SPMRM is applying for the childcare operating fund and fee reduction initiative to reduce costs for parents who enroll their kids in childcare. The fund will also increase wages for staff at the daycare by $4.

Staffing for the daycare is ongoing, but Hoppenreys told SPIN one early childhood educator (ECE) and three early childhood have been hired. The daycare still needs to hire two infant-toddler educators, three ECEs and another assistant.

“There's definitely a shortage of qualified early childhood educators around the province and around Canada, so that has been challenging,” Hoppenreys explained.

Without additional ECEs, the daycare will have to close if the single ECE hired can't work.

The daycare will operate from Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., pending licensing by Interior Health. School-aged care will run on Fridays.

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By Liz McDonald Sun Peaks community members officially have a public gathering space at the newly unveiled plaza.

Sun Peaks Plaza opened Oct. 12 at noon welcoming droves of children, guardians and community members during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) mayor, Al Raine, cut a ribbon above the slide as kids gleefully glided down, inaugurating the playground.

The space will fulfill various community needs as Sun Peaks grows, Raine explained.

“As we mature as a community, we need all kinds of attractions and events,” Raine told SPIN. “The plaza is going to provide the green space that the village needs… I know down the road, this is going to be a place where people want to gather and relax and play. For the kids or the community, it’s fantastic. I think for the families that come in summertime, this is going to be a big attraction.”

The site features a natural amphitheatre, an accessible and modern playground and a greenspace.

The plaza is worth $1.65 million and the project’s funds came from a grant from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. Tourism Sun Peaks contributed funds for the playground equipment, and individual donations, municipal funding and donations from Sun Peaks’ Rotary Club and Adaptive Sports Sun Peaks also helped build the plaza.

During his speech, Raine said the plaza was “a total community effort,” and he thanked the former chief administrative officer, Shane Bourke, for his work in the planning, as well as the contractors who built the space and everyone who contributed funding for the project.

The plaza will be open year-round and was designed to function effectively during the cold, snow-covered months.

SUN PEAKS NEW WILDFIRE PROTECTION UNIT IS READY FOR NEXT YEAR The trailer is stocked with equipment to protect homes and businesses should a wildfire encroach on the village.

By Liz McDonald While wildfire season is coming to a close, Sun Peaks’ first structural protection unit is ready for next year.

Structural protection units create wet barriers between developed and undeveloped areas, protecting homes and businesses against wildfires.

Dean Schiavon, Sun Peaks Fire Rescue (SPFR) chief, said the trailer will reduce response times in the event of future wildfires.

“We had some [equipment] already at the fire hall placed in different areas,” Schiavon said. “Now, everything that we did have and have gained this year is being put into that one trailer… The trailer is really going to increase our speed of being able to get the equipment to where it's needed.”

While SPFR could deploy resources to fires like this summer's Bush Creek East wildfire if requested

by BC Wildfire Service, Schiavon said the trailer would stay in Sun Peaks as BC Wildfire Service deploys equipment that is larger in scale.

The fire department can always use more equipment for the unit, Schiavon said, and items like forestry fire hoses are on the backlog coming

off the highly active wildfire season. SPFR expects the fire hose to arrive this fall and is applying for more equipment through Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) funding applications.

The trailer, which runs around $16,000, was partially funded through a $12,000 donation by the Sun Peaks Rotary Club to Sun Peaks Volunteer Fire Department Society (SPVFDS) this spring. The Society donated the unit to the municipality, and the trailer will ensure SPFR is prepared should a wildfire encroach on Sun Peaks. The unit recently received decals installed by Visual Signs & Printing in Kamloops, supporting the organizations behind the funding.

The Rotary Club raised funds through its bottle depot, located near the transfer station on Industrial Way. “I would like to thank all the different organizations that donated and contributed to the trailer, and hopefully, it doesn't need to get deployed, but it's there if it's needed,” Schiavon said. “It’s a much-needed asset for our community, and we’re really glad to have it.”

The trailer is filled with equipment to defend against wildfires if they approach Sun Peaks, and new decals highlight organizations who helped fund the unit. Photo by Sun Peaks Volunteer Fire Department Society

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local news

UBCM is an annual conference that municipal governments attend where policy recommendations can be brought forward to the province. Photo by Zuzy Rocka

SUN PEAKS MAYOR SETS OUT COMMUNITY’S PRIORITIES AT UBCM Mayor Al Raine met with ministers to discuss funding, wildfire mitigation and more.

By Liz McDonald

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Representatives from Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) attended the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) annual convention in September to join in policy discussions with local governments throughout the province and connect with ministers on matters impacting the community.

UBCM is a forum for municipalities to present a united front and advocate their positions on issues facing individual and collective municipalities. Mayor Al Raine and chief administrative officer Deanna Campbell attended the conference together.

The team from Sun Peaks met with 14 other communities that receive resort municipality funding from the province, reviewing the economic impact of tourism throughout resort communities.

“We asked the province to come up with the options but basically looking at a funding model that would help cover tourism services and infrastructure costs that isn't coming from property tax,” Raine said.

As of 2021, Sun Peaks' population is around 1400, and Raine said the community sees three-quarters of a million visitors each

year. Maintaining services for the influx of people is a challenge.

In a meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Anne Kang, Raine highlighted the infrastructure deficit in Sun Peaks, noting that multiple grant applications for the village have yet to be successful. He also pushed for funding for SPMRM’s water line reservoir project, which is needed to help service water and wastewater during peak visits.

“That is a $6.25 million project, which would be 73 per cent funded by senior levels of government, and they did tell us that it was more than the programs that were high on their agenda for meetings in Ottawa,” Raine said.

SPMRM also touched on communitybased wildfire planning, specifically regarding creating a fire break outside the municipal boundaries between Whitecroft and Sun Peaks.

One of the 161 endorsed resolutions to come out of the conference included improved funding for wildfire mitigation before the 2024 wildfire season.

Resolutions are ideas put forward before the conference that are voted on by attendees.

These can inform provincial policies, and Raine said the province may implement them.

“They are not obligated to accept anything that passes,” he said. “It’s a suggestion.”

Other resolutions included resources for the toxic drug crisis and support around drug decriminalization.

At all meetings with ministers and deputy ministers, Raine stressed the need for revenue-sharing agreements between Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) and First Nations Bands.

Without First Nations approval on their traditional, unceded land, projects can’t move forward. The Official Community Plan for Sun Peaks is also tied to the Master Development Agreement (MDA), and Raine said it will “stall” until the MDA moves forward.

The conference was also an opportunity to thank Grace Lore, minister of state for Childcare of British Columbia, for the newly built daycare and discussed reducing the cost for families whose children get a spot.

“We talked to her about our application to reduce the costs for the parents to get down to $10 a day, and then we also talked about training personnel for daycare care.”

For a complete list of resolutions endorsed by UBCM, visit their website.

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community

LONG-TIME SUN PEAKS LOCAL AND BUSINESS OWNER IAN MCLAREN PASSES AWAY As the original owner of McSporties, Ian McLaren had “a whole life that was dedicated to trying to have a good time.”

By Liz McDonald

Ian McLaren stands in pinstriped pants outside in Sun Peaks.

Photo submitted by Matthias Schmid

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Sun Peaks has lost a long-standing business owner and avid skier, Ian McLaren.

McLaren passed away Sept. 24, 2023, after a long and storied history as a ski racer, proud Scotsman, business owner, devoted husband and father. He owned McSporties, Sun Peaks' first independent retail store, until his diagnosis of dementia and aphasia in 2016.

According to his obituary, McLaren was born in Broughty Ferry, Scotland, Dec. 7, 1950. He and his family immigrated to Vancouver in 1951 when McLaren was six months old.

The family moved to Kamloops in 1956, fostering McLaren’s passion for sports.

A talented ski racer, he began racing in Kamloops at the Kamloops Ski Hill when he was eight and was one of the first people to ride the Burfield Chairlift in 1961 on Tod Mountain.

He competed in all 39 Over the Hill Downhill ski races at SilverStar Resort, winning multiple times with his teams.

SPIN sat down with Matthias Schmid, current owner of McSporties and long-time friend of McLaren, to learn about the legacy McLaren has left behind.

Ian McLaren had was a passionate Scotsman who would even ski in a kilt.

Photo submitted by Kristin Passmore

Schmid recalled first meeting McLaren through his consignment sports store in Kamloops. As a fellow ski racer, Schmid would find and fix used bikes, selling them on consignment at McLaren’s store.

“I actually started doing business with Macky (McLaren) when I was like 11 years old,” Schmid explained. “I was bringing bikes to the shop to sell, so I had store credit.”

The two fostered a deeper relationship when Schmid began working at McSporties in 1996, staying on until 2002. The two stayed in touch when Schmid went off to school.

“He was like an adopted uncle to me,” Schmid said.

McLaren’s decision to open Mcsporties in the ‘90s was a risk, according to Schmid, with the business relying on seasonal winter tourism.

“Until you're in the saddle and running the business, you don't understand how crazy that would have been to have been up here in 1996. Opening up a seasonal business at a resort that's fairly new in the sense that it's just been bought and it's developing – it all worked out, but you got to pay a lot of respect to how big a risk it was.”

By 2016, Schmid had an opportunity to purchase McSporties after McLaren’s diagnosis of dementia.

The timing wasn’t ideal, as Schmid had just put a

down payment on a house in Kamloops when he found out McLaren wanted to sell him the store.

“I did everything I could to get enough money together to make it happen,” Schmid said. “I didn’t want McSporties to close when he got sick. It was important that that legacy lives on.”

Schmid remembers McLaren as a positive person everyone wanted to be around.

“He had a whole life that was dedicated to trying to have a good time,” Schmid said. “The reason there's a lot of people that care is because he was fun to be around and he was a positive person. You never knew what he was going to get up to.”

Anyone who knew McLaren can write about their memories on his obituary page, send flowers to his family and receive updates about his upcoming celebration of life.

Memorial Service for Ian Rees McLaren (Dec 7, 1950- Sept 14, 2023) will be held at the Sun Peaks Centre (located by the arena) on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 3:30 pm 9

community

SHORTER BURN WINDOWS MEANS FIRE PREVENTION COULD CHANGE IN SUN PEAKS Sun Peaks explores chipping and spreading forest debris instead of pile burning as climate change shortens burn windows.

2022, heading toward Mcgillivray Lake, when they came across wildfire crews.

“I spoke with two wildfire servicemen that were up there just off of the Black Bear Trail,” Austinson said. “They explained that due to the short window of burning, this is what can happen, and now the fire [was] going on underneath the piles.”

The following spring, Austinson explored the trails again and saw burnt tree roots and trees marked with red dots, indicating they would be removed.

Seeing the groves cut down sparked a desire to know why it happened in the first place and what would be done to prevent it in the future.

Dean Schiavon, SPFR chief, told SPIN the destroyed grove wasn’t a result of the size of piles burned, but environmental conditions.

“The piles were no different than any piles in previous years. It was a combination of factors – not a lot of precipitation in the fall that we normally get, and the snowfall didn't provide enough precipitation to prevent that as well,” Schiavon said.

Schiavonold told council on Oct. 17 the grant application with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC was approved, providing $181,106 for new prescriptions and chipping and spreading.

“We're still evaluating after what happened last year,” he said. “We're going to be making better calls on when we do burning and making sure that moisture levels are adequate so we don’t get that ground creep.”

By Liz McDonald

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) is applying for a research grant through Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. that could change how Sun Peaks Fire Rescue approaches forest fire fuel mitigation.

SPMRM wants to explore chipping and spreading burn piles – piles of wood thinned from a forest – as fire bans extend longer into the fall, reducing the time fire crews can burn collected fuel.

It could also prevent unintended consequences from pile burns like that on Mt. Morrisey last fall, when just over one hectare of trees in two different groves were destroyed after pile burning last fall by forest fuel management crews, contracted by SPMRM, spread underground.

The burns were conducted in October 2022, after the province lifted the fire ban and after the first snowfall. The fire went underground along Vista Trail and Black Bear Trail, spreading through the root systems as snow fell in late October and early November. While fire crews created fire breaks to prevent the underground smouldering fire from spreading, trees were destroyed by root damage and cut down as a result.

The response was shown to council during a presentation on March 7 by Garnet Mierau, a registered forest professional representing Forsite, a company contracted by SPMRM. Maria Austinson lives in Sun Peaks and frequently enjoys these trails in the winter, and she recalls an early snowfall meant she could enjoy the forested trails on Mt. Morrisey. She and a friend were snowshoeing on Black Bear Trail in early November

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Pile burns that spread underground in the winter of 2022 meant two groves of trees had to be cut down on Mt. Morrisey.

Photo by Liz McDonald

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TREATED TO UPGRADES Upgrading the plant’s aging infrastructure will increase storage capacity from 50 to 450 cubic metres by the end of construction in 2024.

By Liz McDonald

The wastewater treatment plant, seen from above. Photo by Liz McDonald

Upgrades on the wastewater treatment plant began this month to help it run more efficiently during peak times. As visitors pour into Sun Peaks during December and January, the equalization tank at the plant reaches capacity, which causes poor performance, increasing maintenance and cleaning costs.

Two phases of upgrades are needed to expand the wastewater treatment plant’s capacity during the winter months. The first phase, which started after council approved the project, will cost $400,000 and increases the capacity of the equalization tank, a concrete pool which holds untreated wastewater, from 50 cubic meters to 130 cubic meters. The second phase is slated to come to council for approval in 2024.

Phase one will use existing infrastructure to increase the tank’s capacity by changing the pipe configuration to allow more storage, Clint Burton, director of infrastructure for Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM), told SPIN. “We will be adding 80 cubic metres, and we're not going to build too much this year to make that happen,” Burton said.“It’s mostly using the infrastructure we have and changing some of the orientation of the valves and pipes.”

He noted construction won’t impact residents or businesses using water.

While reconfiguring the pipes will reduce the number of times the plant reaches capacity, it won’t eliminate it. If approved, the second phase would increase storage capacity to 450 cubic meters in total by building a second tank.

TRUE Consultants, the engineering firm hired for the project, recommends building another equalization tank beside the existing one with pipes between the two to keep the tanks from filling during the winter months.

The second phase would cost $1.1 million, and SPMRM is exploring grants to help fund the project.

While the work will help process wastewater in the short term, it won’t be enough to deal with expected future growth but it is a stepping stone to future projects at the plant, according to Burton.

A longer-term solution will be dependent on provincial permitting, Burton explained. It would require SPMRM to build a larger effluent pond, where treated wastewater enters, and add another rapid infiltration trench, where treated wastewater goes before discharge.

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community

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA? For the first time in 20 years, B.C. is trying to create a coordinated strategy for outdoor recreation.

By Liz McDonald

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is working with partners in the outdoor recreation sector and other provincial agencies to create a strategy for recreation in British Columbia.

To develop the strategy, various groups connected to outdoor recreation took part in engagement sessions, the fourth and final of which was held in September at Thompson Rivers University. The session's goal was to listen to diverse perspectives to better understand how the province can support a growing outdoor sector.

The sessions were run by John Hawkings, Executive Lead, Recreation Strategy and Service Transformation for the Ministry of Environment.

During the session, he highlighted how it’s been 20 years since there has been a coordinated strategy for outdoor recreation in the province.

SPIN attended the session and reached out to organizations based in the Interior of B.C. after the event to learn about their vision for the future of outdoor recreation. Themes include Indigenous reconciliation, diversity and inclusion, volunteer needs and environmental consideration.

Reconciliation, diversity and inclusion A significant lens for the future strategy for outdoor recreation included reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, diversity and inclusion. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy will be holding consultations with First Nations governments throughout the process of creating an actionable plan over the next year.

Most people in attendance were not from diverse racial backgrounds, which the organizers touched on during brainstorming sessions. Organizers asked attendees to consider why the outdoor sector lacked diversity, and how the space may feel unsafe for people of diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous peoples.

Relationship building with First Nations governments is important for the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC. Louise Pedersen, executive director for the council, believes creating 12

a provincial strategy will provide “meaningful opportunities.”

“There’s going to be really meaningful opportunities for Indigenous groups to become involved in the planning and the management of outdoor recreation in the future, to a much greater extent than what we see now,” Pedersen said.

She believes many recreation groups don’t have all the necessary tools or knowledge to establish working relationships with Indigenous groups, but must learn how to engage in reconciliation.

“It's not just up to the province to provide that guidance,” she said. “It’s really up to any organization, including the Outdoor Recreation Council.”

Volunteer burnout Through conversations Pedersen had with over 80 member organizations, from hiking and angling to trail groups, she learned members need help with volunteer burnout.

“Most of the trails on Crown land outside the park system are developed by volunteers,” she said.

“They apply for authorization to establish the trails, they have come up with the funding, they do all the fundraising. It's a lot of work. There needs to be some more support on how we can create a bit more sustainable situation for this sector.”

She also advocated for better funding for various agencies responsible for outdoor recreation in the province, including B.C. Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. Cindy Kozak-Campbell, president of the Kamloops Outdoors Club, also highlighted this issue.

“The volunteer base for our club is mostly retired people in their 60s and 70s, so our ability to be very active in maintaining trails starts to get a bit limited,” Kozak-Campbell said.

One solution to counter burnout presented at the meeting included centralizing resources to assist community groups in funding requests for trail development and maintenance. “[The funding process is] quite complicated even if you want to maintain a trail that may have fallen into

A large number of groups working in the outdoor recreation sector in B.C. attended the fourth session held by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy at Thompson Rivers University. Photo by Liz McDonald

disuse,” Kozak-Campbell said. “There are a number of ministries that you need to contact and get approval from. So how could that system be made easier?”

Increased use impacting the environment The COVID-19 pandemic fueled activity in outdoor spaces, a finding that was present in other engagement sessions.

“We’ve seen very significant uptake in outdoor recreation during COVID,” Pedersen said, noting increased use in backcountry access as well as trails closer to home.

The Kamloops Outdoors Club has also felt the strain on outdoor spaces since COVID-19.

“Many more people are using the outdoor spaces now,” Kozak-Campbell said. “That wear and tear on areas – especially the well-loved areas that get the social media attention – it's really contributing to erosion in the trails.”

She went on to say without camping sites or toilets, the environment degrades.

Representatives from the Heffley Lake Community Association (HLCA) attended the event, and in an email to SPIN Jim Davies, the HLCA highlighted the issue of increased use in Heffley Lake.

HLCA found that COVID-19, social media attraction and increased watersports put pressure on the lake.

Climate change has also led to people seeking water and shaded trails to survive extreme heat, and there’s more conflict between use groups vying to launch boats and swim at the boat launch.

The conflict has led to increased use at Armour Creek, a popular locals’ destination on Heffley Lake, where there aren’t toilets or garbage cans.

In response to the issue, Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. is considering expanding day-use sites on Heffley Lake, and the Ministry of Environment is considering a pay-per-use model to tackle associated maintenance costs at recreation sites.

While various groups at the session argued for a pay-per-use model to help curb high use and fund maintenance, there were also concerns that it would disproportionately impact people without the means to pay for access.

“I think it’s a bit of a slippery slope,” KozakCampbell said. “That may impact people that don't have the resources who should still be able to get out and enjoy the environment without necessarily having to pay every time they do it.”

An alternative model could include a QR code where people can voluntarily donate to trail associations or become members of an association, paying dues that help with maintenance costs.

Feedback from the session will be taken into consideration by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change strategy over the next year, and they hope to have an actionable plan by the summer of 2024.

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events

EVENTS

OCTOBER 20 - NOVEMBER 17

October Oct. 20, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Pstt! Keep it on the down low, there’s a speakeasy coming to Sun Peaks at Capones Italian Kitchen. Don your prohibition-era costume and head out for an evening of food and entertainment.

Tickets are $69. This event is 19 plus.

Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Do you have a cherished item that could use some love? Transition Kamloops has a Repair Cafe located at the Kamloops Yacht Club. Whether it’s a sweater or a lamp, skilled fixers are ready to assess whether your goods can be fixed – and teach you skills for repairing. Everything except computers and cell phones is welcome.

Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Heffley Creek Hall hosts a craft and produce sale.

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Oct. 26, 5:30 p.m.

A short documentary film screening about local skiing legend Nancy Greene Raine is at Masa’s Bar and Grill. The event is brought to you by Tourism Sun Peaks and Sun Peaks Resort LLP, with a cash bar and food for the evening.

Oct. 31, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Heffley Creek Hall has candy for trick or treaters.

Bottoms Bar and Grill hosts a Halloween party with DJ Thundercock spinning tunes. There is a costume contest for individuals and groups. Cover is $5. This event is 19 plus after 9 p.m.

Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Evening Auxiliary hosts a craft fair at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, with proceeds going to Royal Inland Hospital for medical equipment. Admission is $2.

Nov. 10, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Sun Peaks Volunteer Fire Department’s annual charity gala is at Sun Peaks Grand Hotel. The theme is 007 inspired, so break out your finest evening wear and support Sun Peaks Freestyle Club and Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association.

Dinner, drinks, a silent auction and live music by Duelling Pianos are sure to make the evening a “shaken” success.

Nov. 11, 10:45 a.m.

November

This year’s Remembrance Day ceremony is at the Clock Tower, organized by the Rotary Club of Sun Peaks.

Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Nov. 18

The 16th annual fall ball in support of youth sports programs is at Sun Peaks Centre. The event is put on by Sun Peaks Bluebird Day Society. This year’s theme is disco! The evening includes DJ tunes, a live band, dancing, prizes, food and drink, a red carpet entrance and more.

The time has come for Sun Peaks Resort LLP’s opening day. Break out your gear, wax your board or skis and hit the slopes.

Anyone with a valid lift ticket, peaks card or season pass gets a free cold one (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) at Masa’s Bar + Grill between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

puzzles events

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by Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords

Musical Expressions solution

ACROSS 1 "... and the like": Abbr.

4 Molten materials 10 "The Cat Came Back" singer Penner 14 The / of km/h 15 Get to where one's going 16 Sing the praises of, with "about" 17 "Disco" guy on "The Simpsons" 18 Cheap and easy to come by 20 Black and white pod member 22 Size for a broad foot 23 Bacon-frying sound 24 Ship's first sailing 27 It might come between neighbours

DOWN 1 2 3

___ salts (bath additive) Aquarium fish They ward off vampires, supposedly 4 Goat's gripe 5 Fervent passion 6 Weep at a wake 7 Old copy machine, for short 8 St. crosser 9 "Healthy" potato chip sprinkling 10 Stopped dead in one's tracks 11 Give a hard time to 12 Knievel, who holds the record for surviving the most bones broken in a lifetime

28 They, to Thierry 29 Feathered neckwear 32 "It was me" 34 With 34-Down, decline to join 35 Young blokes 36 With 38-Across, multimaterial artwork ... or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters 37 "So ___ me" 38 See 36-Across 39 Middle keys, on pianos 40 "Gilligan's Island" abode 41 Fixed, as an election 42 Sound of 23-Across 43 Trashy writing 44 "The Great One" before "The Trade"

45 Like French's Ketchup or Dare Maple Leaf Creme Cookies 49 7-Up, in old ads, with "the" 52 ___ Na Na 53 Key with two sharps: Abbr.

54 Devil-child of "The Omen" films 57 My, in Milano 58 "No ifs, ___ or buts" 59 Tristan's love in a Wagner opera 60 Be a poser?

61 Dome-shaped Asian home 62 Family member named Spot, say 63 Canadian Club whiskey, e.g.

13 First Nation of Canada's north 19 Ribbing insults 21 "Skyfall" singer and others 25 Recorded in a ledger: Abbr.

26 "Crikey!"

29 This are an examples 30 "Garfield" drooler 31 "Take ___ song and make it better": Beatles lyric 32 Dodge rivals 33 Driver's turns that are "pulled" 34 See 34-Across 35 "The ___ of Sleepy Hollow" 37 Building boss, slangily 38 Mrs. Mulroney 40 Swigged from the flask 41 Actor Montalbán of "Fantasy Island"

43 Visibly ill, in a way 44 Waiting, after hearing "Your call is important to us") 45 Like a towelette 46 "___ the Sheriff" (song) 47 Petal puller's flower 48 "It's not ___" ("I'm serious") 49 Son of Saddam 50 Half of Mork's sign-off 51 Capt.'s colleague 55 Deadly fly, when doubled 56 – on a battery: Abbr.

15

sports

LOCAL INTERNATIONALLEVEL MOUNTAIN BIKER FINISHES TOUR WITH A SEVENTH PLACE WIN AT WORLD SERIES Brock Hawes spent the summer competing in 15 races across eight countries and accomplished one of his season’s goals – placing in the top ten at a world series race.

By Liz McDonald

Local international-level mountain biker Brock Hawes recently finished seventh place at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) mountain bike world series in Quebec at Mont-Sainte-Anne.

Competing in the men’s junior division from Oct. 6 to 8, Hawes accomplished one of his season goals by placing in the top ten in a World Cup race after a gruelling summer of travel and competition. Hawes’ season included 15 races, travel to eight countries and three trips across the ocean.

“That's all I really wanted to see – to get a top 10,” Hawes told SPIN. “It finally happened in Mont-Sainte-Anne.”

Hawes also had the fastest Canadian junior time in his final race of the season.

While the year was a success, Hawes’ summer didn’t come without trials and tribulations, from gear breaking down to struggling with training and nutrition while travelling.

The bike Hawes was initially supposed to ride, a Forbidden downhill prototype, had a delayed arrival. When Hawes was set to compete at Silver Star Resort in Fernie, B.C., he got his bike – three World Cup races into his season.

Once on the bike, Hawes won at Fernie.

However, he ended up blowing a shock when he was competing in Scotland, and the crew that fixed it sent it back with a different setup than Hawes was used to.

“That definitely played a role in the riding.

I've just had to self-adjust to that tuning and try and figure it out by myself,” Hawes explained, adding the bike issues detracted

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from his ability to trust his bike and focus on racing.

Another hurdle Hawes faced was nutrition and fitness on the road.

“Keeping up with fitness was a tough one when you're just travelling so much that it's hard to find time to get in the gym or do some sprints,” he said.

While in West Virginia, he lacked available fruits and vegetables to keep him fueled for his race.

Being a privateer, Hawes doesn’t benefit from chef-made meals or a permanent pit crew for bike maintenance like athletes who’ve been signed to a factory team.

Jenny Hawes, Brock’s mom, spoke about the support other crews lent her son at various races.

“Everybody just wants the athletes to have a fair shake at it when you're struggling as a privateer, and you're trying to scrap together your maintenance or mechanical issues,” Jenny explained. “It was very impressive to see other pits willing to help get you on the bike.”

Heading into the winter, Hawes will work ski patrol at Sun Peaks Resort LLP, and he’s continuing to seek out sponsorship before next season.

Jenny said she’s hopeful sponsors will see how much Hawes accomplished this year despite her son's challenges.

“It is tough competition when it comes to sponsorship, but I think that with a resume he created this year, and showing that you can compete at that level, amongst all that challenge that we did have – there's definitely potential there,” Jenny said.

Brock Hawes shows his trophy for overall champion in the Canada Cup. Photo submitted

by Brock Hawes

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local news

SUN PEAKS BEAR AWARE WARNS OF INCREASED BEAR ACTIVITY AFTER LOW BERRY CROP Store garbage properly

This year's berry crop is lower than expected due to droughts and wildfires, which could increase interactions with humans.

SPBA recently responded to an incident on Burfield Drive where a bear accessed residents’ garbage.

Karen Lara, an SPBA representative, said it took twenty minutes for volunteers to clean up the garbage before the black bear was back. The organization contacted the conservation officer and detailed the incident. A fine was also issued to the residence. “​​People can't be naive in assessing how rapidly a bear can get into garbage,” Lara said. “It will frequently return to that spot because once it's accessible, it’s highlighted in their brains as an optimal food source.”

After the incident, the organization canvassed the neighbourhood to inform them about the bear's activity. The municipality and Sun Peaks Resort LLP assisted SPBA in producing and placing more signage where the bear accessed garbage.

By Liz McDonald

This year's drought means black bears in Sun Peaks may struggle to find enough food before hibernation.

Black bear sightings in the fall and spring are common in Sun Peaks, but Sun Peaks Bear Aware (SPBA) is asking residents and visitors to be extra vigilant with lower than expected food supply for the animals. Bears are actively preparing for hibernation, and one of the most essential sources for them comes from berries. However, a researcher examining bear scat in Sun Peaks has found worryingly low amounts of berries in samples this summer.

Olivier Jumeau, whose research focuses on black bear scat in Sun Peaks, has only found two samples this summer with berry consumption.

“This is much lower than expected, and the bears appear to be turning to alternative food sources to compensate,” Jumeau wrote in an email.

Tony Hamilton, a retired large carnivore specialist of the BC Ministry of Environment, said there are multiple reasons bears are often seen throughout Sun Peaks. The first is that female bears and their cubs put themselves close to humans as protection from other bears, but also because of the rich food supply, be it berries in backyards, vegetation along highways or in garbage.

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Sun Peaks Bear Aware has placed signage throughout the community with increased bear activity. Various signs are along Burfield Drive, where there was recently issues around garbage left outside.

Photo by Liz McDonald

A black bear grazing on grass on Aug. 13. Photo by Liz McDonald

Contact conservation authorities early Contacting conservation authorities is vital in protecting bears and humans from harm, but many people have the perception that doing so will put the animal at risk, Hamilton said.

“By not calling in a sighting or all the way through to a conflict, the conservation officers don't have any opportunities to intervene early,” Hamilton explained. “If you want to have a non-lethal response to human-bear conflict, you have to do it at first contact.”

He went on to say bear behaviours can be reversed when caught early, teaching them to stop associating humans with food and increasing their weariness around humans.

To report bear sightings to the conservation officer, call 1-877-9527277.

sports

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LOCATED AT SUN PEAKS SINCE 1995

ALPINE RESORT REALTY

OPEN DAILY AT THE KOOKABURRA LODGE T: 250 578 8222 TF: 1 800 663 2838 E: info@sunpeaksrealty.com

EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED

SOLD

#1313 A & B THE RESIDENCES

2203 SUNBURST DRIVE

2556 GOLDEN HORN ROAD

Upscale 2 bedroom 2 bath fully furnished vacation property comes well appointed with a fully outfitted spacious kitchen with cherry cabinets and granite counter tops, plus a cozy fireplace to gather around, in suite laundry and central air conditioning. Enjoy mountain and village views from your very own private deck. Shops and dining are just steps away. True ski-in, skiout convenience in the heart of the village with amenities such as a outdoor pool, hot tubs, gym, sauna, restaurants, bike & ski valet, room service, heated underground parking and more. GST applicable.

This is a welcoming 3 bedroom ski-in chalet with separate self-contained 2 bedroom legal suite on a large lot backing onto forested ski terrain. With an abundance of sunshine and mountain views, this 5 bedroom home plus loft presents solid revenue options and space for your family and friends to relax and enjoy the resort lifestyle. The main floor is an inviting open living space that features a cozy gas fireplace, vaulted ceiling, soaring windows and direct access to a spacious sunny deck where you can enjoy views to Mt Morrisey ski runs and the golf course.

This is an excellent opportunity to own a piece of heaven on the tranquil shores on Heffley Lake. Find solitude in this lakefront 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage with detached garage and workshop with additional studio space and bathroom. The main floor features an open kitchen, dining room and living room with vaulted ceiling, wood burning rock fireplace and sliding doors that open up to your sundeck overlooking the lake. The lower-level feature two additional bedrooms, bright family room and laundry space opening up to the side yard and outside shower. This year-round home is situated on .39 acres with exceptional waterfront & your own private dock that can easily be transformed into a flatboat.

$164,900 EACH

$1,179,000

$1,599,000

SOLD

NEW LISTING

4119 SUNDANCE DRIVE

#8 SUN MOUNTAIN VILLAS

#46 SETTLER’S CROSSING

This landscaped slope side mountain home offers the ultimate ski-in, ski-out convenience as one of the best locations on the mountain.

Superior design and finishing with quality construction, with extensive use of stone, granite, hardwood and tile. This spectacular home radiates warmth and intimacy with the most incredible setting and presents and exceptional opportunity to own one of the very best in resort living.

Soaring windows, radiant in floor heat, HRV, games room, inviting hot tub, oversized double car garage and beautiful sundeck directly off the kitchen which fronts right onto the ski run. Self-contained two bedroom legal suite that can be rented or used for guests. GST n/a.

Professionally renovated 2 bedroom, 2 bath end unit condo with private garage and carport. This property is located adjacent to the 2nd green of the Sun Peaks Golf Course, creating a south facing parklike setting with stunning views of the golf course and Morissey Mountain. This bright location sits on the Valley Trail, in close proximity to the Village and all Resort amenities.

Welcome home to Settler's Crossing! This well appointed mountain condominium has a tasteful and timeless decor with a sunny après ski deck and private hot tub. Bright, south facing, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom with easy ski-in, ski-out access. Features open kitchen, dining area and living room with upgraded hardwood flooring, S/S appliances, in suite laundry, heated tile floors and cozy gas fireplace. Located just steps from the 18 hole Graham Cooke designed golf course, Nordic skiing, and bike trails. This condo is beautifully decorated and is offered fully furnished.

NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING

$3,399,000

$597,900

$779,000

SOLD

#1312B THE RESIDENCES

#121/123 NANCY GREENE’S CAHILTY LODGE

#69 SETTLER’S CROSSING

Experience Sun Peaks' only fractional ownership offering! Located in the heart of the Village, this fully furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom upscale apartment offers true ski-in, ski-out convenience with secure underground parking, together with full use of the hotel pool, gym, sauna, room service, and more. Relax after a fun filled day on the slopes in the spacious living room around the fireplace or on the outdoor deck. Shops and dining are just steps away. Featuring a full kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, ensuite bathroom with soaker tub and separate shower, in suite laundry, & central A/C.

Situated in the very heart of Sun Peaks Resort, Nancy Greene's Cahilty Lodge is an attractive family get-away and great lifestyle investment. This cozy studio lock-off has been entirely renovated, top to bottom, featuring a unique new kitchen design, new flooring and furnishings, picture windows, high airy ceilings, slope side location with fantastic mountain views. This floor plan offers the perfect amount of separation, with room to sleep 8 comfortably, and is set up nicely for extended stays. Relax and leave all the details to the professional and friendly in house management team. Excellent ski-in / ski-out access!

This well appointed upper floor 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo with fantastic mountain views provides easy access to the East Village Orient lift, Nordic network , snow shoeing, mountain biking, golf, and tennis. Originally owned and never been rented, this attractive mountain retreat shines and is ready to occupy. Private covered deck, cozy gas fireplace, hardwood upgrade, vaulted ceiling, exceptional window package, ski locker directly outside your front door, 1 covered pkg. space plus a large storage cage in the u/g parking. TA zoning allows for nightly rentals. Offered furnished; GST n/a.

$158,900

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$749,900

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