Sun Peaks Independent News Volume 21 Issue 6

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IN THIS ISSUE

SUN PEAKS COMMUNITY POOL SLATED FOR 2024 REOPENING

Upgrades to the outdoor swimming spot are necessary, and the facility has been closed since 2019.

TOURISM SUN PEAKS BOARD ELECTIONS OPEN FOR VOTING

All members of Tourism Sun Peaks are eligible to vote.

12

NEW TRAILS ARE OPENING ON MT. MORRISEY

New terrain provides more ways to explore Sun Peaks this summer.

13

MONTANA OEVERMANN ATTENDED TEAM CANADA TRAINING CAMP

The 16-year-old Taekwon-Do athlete was selected after competing at nationals in May.

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

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editor@sunpeaksnews.com

213 - 1130 Sun Peaks Rd. Sun Peaks, B.C.

BRANDI SCHIER

Publisher brandi@sunpeaksnews.com

HOLLIE FERGUSON

Community Editor hollie@sunpeaksnews.com

LIZ MCDONALD

Community Journalist liz@sunpeaksnews.com

SONIA GARCÍA

Layout & Graphic Designer sonia@sunpeaksnews.com

05

SUN PEAKS’ NEW DAYCARE CENTRE

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality announced the daycare intake process to prepare for proposed September opening.

06

LOCAL FARMERS ARE MAKING CATTLE RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Cattle ranchers near Whitecroft are partnering with a researcher from Thompson Rivers University to cross-breed their animals, making cows more heat tolerant. Rancher Joanne Nicklas hopes other ranchers will take note.

08

GETTING THE SCOOP ON SUN PEAKS BEAR POOP

A researcher from TRU is studying bear scat in Sun Peaks, a non-invasive way to understand what food is available to black bears and how living close to a ski resort impacts their diet.

10

HEFFLEY CREEK THROUGH THE YEARS: FROM CAMELS TO CURRENT DAY

From a gold mining community to the residential area it is known as today, Heffley Creek has come a long way in 200 years.

14

KAMLOOPS PLAY TACKLES GENERATIONAL REGRET AROUND CLIMATE CHANGE

George Johnson, a Thompson Rivers University professor, said producing boomerangst has been ‘a communal experience.'

15 EVENTS

16 PUZZLES

17

BUSINESS LISTINGS

18

SUN PEAKS DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKER TO COMPETE AT WORLD CUP

Brock Hawes and his family held a fundraiser and goodbye party at Sun Peaks Resor t. The family hopes to raise upwards of $30,000 to support Brock.

SUN PEAKS COMMUNITY

POOL SLATED FOR 2024 REOPENING

2019

By Liz McDonald

After five years of closures, Sun Peaks community pool is getting a facelift.

The pool is undergoing renovations for a host of necessary upgrades. Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) is replacing the boiler system, increasing solar heating integration, replacing the water treatment system, repainting and resurfacing the pool, splash pad and deck, rebuilding the fence and upgrading the bathrooms.

2023 was set aside for these renovations and SPMRM’s chief administrative officer, Shane Bourke, said the opening is contingent on licencing by Interior Health and installing new boilers in time. If everything goes as planned, the pool could open for a test run in September.

“Two things are out of our hands – delivery of the boilers and permitting by Interior Health. We’ve started some of the permitting processes…but it’s out of our hands how long that will take,” Bourke told SPIN.

If the pool is not ready for September, Bourke said summer 2024 will be the first full season.

The pool has been closed since 2019, when work began at Sun Peaks Centre and was subsequently closed due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the need for upgrades.

Funding for the renovations comes from the Resort Municipality Initiative, a provincial program that finances resort communities for tourist attractions.

The total funding received was $340,000 for three years. SPMRM has budgeted $300,000 for the pool, and the rest of the grant is going towards upgrades at the Sun Peaks Centre, the skating rink and a paved trail near the Orient chairlift.

SPMRM initially thought they would have to resurface the whole pool due to leaking water, but discovered the leaks came from a broken seal last year, Bourke said.

“It’s leak-free, so we’re able to recoat it, patch a few tiles and do the deck as well,” he said. “It wasn’t as big of a job as we originally thought.”

The municipality has never operated the pool, which Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) originally owned, so Bourke said he’s uncertain how much running a community pool will cost.

“All we know is that there have been some significant costs,” he explained. “We're still working through what our final operating model is going to be.”

The municipality is holding preliminary discussions for a public-private operation model with Alpine Fitness, which is located adjacent to the pool.

“That might be a model that reduces municipal costs and is still open to the community,” Bourke said.

The fitness centre could offer swimming as part of their operations. The gym’s lease includes the option to operate the facility, but due to the repairs needed, they have opted out in the past.

TOURISM SUN PEAKS BOARD ELECTIONS

OPEN FOR VOTING

A number of positions on the Tourism Sun Peaks board are up for re-election

By Liz McDonald

Elections for board positions with Tourism Sun Peaks (TSP) are now open.

Members have until June 19 to vote, and successful candidates will be announced at the annual general meeting on June 27 at 4 p.m. Four positions are renewing this year, with elections in three categories and multiple candidates vying for the positions.

Arlene Schieven, president of TSP, said the number of candidates who have applied for the volunteer positions is higher than previous years.

“It’s really exciting to see so much interest from people in the community,” Schieven said

Positions in the categories of Commercial/Tenant/Independent Operator, Hotel Lodging Director, Non-Hotel Lodging Director and Residential Director are up for grabs.

Commercial/Tenant/Independent Operator candidates include Ryan Schmalz, owner of Mountain High Pizza and Gianpiero Furfaro, managing broker for Sotheby’s and director of ArtZone.

Non-Hotel Lodging Director candidates include Derek MacGowan, co-owner of Jardines Ski and Board Shop, Bobbe Lyall, operator of Ohana Market Deli and Lise-Anne Houde, director of operations for Electronic Arts.

Residential representative candidates include Rina Jeyakumar, founder of Araya Law and Gary Boddington, former Olympian and PlayWise CEO.

The Hotel Lodging category only has one nominee, David Kunze, general manager of Bear Country Property Management, who will win by default.

Schieven told SPIN the candidates who have stepped up want to be more involved in the community.

“Based on the conversations that I've had with the candidates, there's definitely a desire to be more involved in the community and to be part of moving some things forward,” she said.

TSP is the marketing arm for Sun Peaks Resort and is responsible for advocating for Sun Peaks nationally and internationally. Schieven said the organization also plays a vital role in event functions, which is atypical for a destination marketing organization.

“We don't have a big enough community that there are other people that are putting on events,” she explained. “We run the farmers market, and we put on all the concerts. We do a lot of things that are a little bit outside of what many destination marketing organizations do. But that's just a function of Sun Peaks being a small community.”

All property or business owners in Sun Peaks who own land on the resort must be a member of TSP, making them eligible to vote if they have paid their dues and have registered in advance. Voting began June 5 and members of TSP will receive an email with voting instructions.

Upgrades to the outdoor swimming spot are necessary, and the facility has been closed since

SUN PEAKS’ NEW DAYCARE CENTRE BEGINS INTAKE PROCESS

All community members needing childcare can apply for the newly opening Sun Peaks daycare.

Applications are open to all families, but the initial intake will prioritize certain criteria, according to Shane Bourke, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality’s (SPMRM) chief administrative officer.

Parents working at a business with a Sun Peaks business licence and residents who have lived in Whitecroft or Sun Peaks for the last five years will be given priority. However, all families needing childcare are asked to apply, to ensure the municipality hires the appropriate number of staff for the community’s needs.

“We’re encouraging anyone who has any interest in securing a spot for September to let us know,” Bourke said. “That will help us in building the different age groups that we’ll be able to provide service to and staffing plans.”

Families can visit the municipality’s website to apply.

“It won’t be first come, first served, so there’s no rush to get your name in,” Bourke said.

Licensing for the centre could allow up to 50 spaces, and the daycare would be open from Monday to Friday, according to Bourke. SPMRM needs to hire nine employees for full intake and operating hours. If SPMRM doesn’t secure the necessary staff for 50 children, intake numbers will be reduced.

Bourke stressed the difficulty of hiring that many staff members, but highlighted they would be paid competitive salaries.

The municipality will also broaden the criteria to accept as many families as possible if staffing is available.

Landscaping around the pre-built structure is slated to begin in July and August. SPMRM is on track with the licensing process through Interior Health for the centre to open at the beginning of September.

SPMRM is still determining costs for families whose children get a spot.

Sun Peaks has been waiting since spring of last year for the facility, after SPMRM received a grant of $1.8 million from the province to fund a community daycare.

Sun Peaks has been waiting since last spring for the facility, after SPMRM received a grant of $1.8 million from the province to fund a community daycare. Photo by Kyle James.

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality announced the daycare intake process to prepare for proposed September opening

Liz McDonald

LOCAL FARMERS ARE MAKING CATTLE RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Joanne Nicklas wants to help the cattle on her small ranch adapt to climate change-induced high-heat events.

Nicklas and her husband, Gord, partnered with a Thompson Rivers University (TRU) researcher, John Church, to cross-breed cattle, allowing the calves to adopt a genetic trait that produces thinner hair and internal changes to better regulate their temperature through sweating. Panting and lower temperatures overnight are predominantly how most cattle regulate their temperature.

Church and Nicklas have crossed Red Angus and Senepol breeds. Church explained that Senepol cattle from St. Croix, an island in the Caribbean Sea, have a natural mutation called the slick gene that helps the animal tolerate high temperatures.

“They have noticeably shorter summer hair coats,” Church said. “Also, they have internal metabolic changes that allow them to withstand higher heat temperatures, and that's something we're trying to measure by measuring heat shock proteins.”

The cross-bred cattle can also stay warm during winter, an important consideration when making the animals adaptable in Canada.

Church’s research seeks to fill a gap relating to cattle and climate change because most research centers around feed efficiency, but he said there needs to be more information about thermal tolerance.

“48 to 50 Celsius is probably the upper limit for what cattle can handle if they're outside, especially if [high night temperatures] don't allow it to cool down,” he said. “Our goal was to create an animal that might be better able to tolerate these high-heat events in the future.”

Adapting to a hotter climate

Nicklas has owned a cattle ranch near Whitecroft for a decade, and she’s seen the impact of climate change first-hand – both on her cattle and her community.

By Liz McDonald

Over two years ago, her cattle experienced temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius when she had them outside of Kamloops in a valley. The summer heat dome that year caused human and animal casualties throughout the province, from thousands of poultry dying to a mass marine death in the Pacific Northwest.

Cattle ranchers near Whitecroft are partnering with a researcher from Thompson Rivers University to cross-breed their cows, making them more heat tolerant. Rancher

Joanne Nicklas hopes other ranchers will take note

Calves and cows gather together at a salt lick on the Nicklas family farm as smoke from wildfires throughout B.C. and Alberta permeates the air.

Photo by Liz McDonald.

“We opened up a building so that they would have shade,” Nicklas said. “We made sure we had sprinklers on 24/7 so that they at least had an option so they weren’t out in that hot sun.”

The same summer, Embleton Mountain went up in flames.

“The Embleton fire was quite an eye-opener for us – to see that out of our front window. We’ve started seeing hotter and drier climates.”

The drier climate means she’s adapting by starting irrigation in her fields earlier in the year and trying to innovate by partnering with Church. Nicklas also said she’s noticed community members' awareness of smoke on the horizon has increased after Embleton.

“When people are seeing smoke, they’re starting to look at it right away and ask some questions,” Nicklas said.

Canada’s emissions

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) press release on its sixth assessment report in 2023 reiterated that greenhouse gas emissions caused by human actions have caused a 1.1 degree increase in global temperatures “above pre-industrial levels.”

The world is still on a trajectory to surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius because current plans are “insufficient to tackle climate change,” according to the IPCC’s press release.

The United Nations Environment Programme notes that at least a third of all greenhouse gas emissions are from how people “produce, process and package food.”

Nationally, the Climate Action Tracker, an independent science-based project that tracks countries' emissions and evaluates whether they are on track to meet their climate commitments, highlights the majority of Canada’s emissions in 2020 – one quarter – come from oil and gas, and transportation represents another quarter. Agriculture is responsible for around eight per cent of Canada’s total emissions.

Producing heat-tolerant cattle on Nicklas’ small farm is a local example of how farmers can adapt without a more substantial reduction in global and national emissions that other cattle ranchers in Canada could adopt.

However, Nicklas is concerned about whether cattle markets are prepared to purchase animals that look different from traditional Red Angus.

“This year will be more of a big test, and I really hope that there is a market,” Nicklas explained.

Church said the calves at Nicklas’ ranch can be back-crossed, and hopefully, the result is a heatresistant animal that looks like a Red Angus.

Ultimately, Nicklas believes Senepol and Red Angus cross-breeds should be considered by the Canadian cattle industry.

“I'm hoping that the word will spread, and people will realize that it may end up saving their cattle.”

Joanne Nicklas stands with one of her cows in a field. She hopes cross-breeding cattle will result in heat tolerance for the animals so they can better cope with climate change. Photo by Liz McDonald.

GETTING THE SCOOP ON SUN PEAKS BEAR POOP

Exactly what food is available for bears in Sun Peaks to enjoy will soon be known, thanks to an undergraduate researcher at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

Olivier Jumeau, a recent graduate from the geography department at TRU, is embarking on a research project exploring the diet of black bears living in Sun Peaks and whether the furry creatures’ proximity to the ski resort impacts their diet.

From May to August, Jumeau will visit Sun Peaks and take samples of bear scat, otherwise known as poo, to examine how the mighty creatures’ diet changes throughout the spring and summer.

“It's a dietary analysis of black bears from the spring through to the end of summer, looking at how their diet changes depending on food type and whether the change in diet is similar to other bears away from ski areas,” Jumeau explained.

Jumeau has a mapped route throughout the village and the Nordic trails where black bears leave scat. If samples are fresh, he collects them in biohazard bags before transporting them back to the university for analysis.

One of the benefits of this analysis is that the research is non-invasive to bears.

“Scat analysis is a really good, non-invasive way to study a population of bears,” Jumeau explained. “I didn’t want to do any tracking or any tagging.”

Tracking and tagging can negatively impact bears.

Bones, berries, ants and mammal hair from fecal matter give dietary information, but Jumeau is also using the excrement to conduct a proportion analysis.

“We’re measuring how much of the scat is one food group,” he explained.

If the data garnered is substantial enough, he will also look at samples collected from a similar study conducted in Chilcotin, an area that does not have a ski resort in close proximity. This allows him to better understand whether bears’ diets change based on location.

Community engagement

He hopes his research project can engage people in Sun Peaks to understand how to co-exist with bears and the importance of maintaining abundant food sources for them.

“I want a well-presented understanding of how bear diets change and how complex these animals are – how important they are within an ecosystem, the range of foods that they eat and how important it is that we protect all of these food sources for them,” he said.

Jumeau is partnering with Sun Peaks Bear Aware (SPBA) for help spotting dung through a shared spreadsheet that identifies where bears have left their mark.

“From a personal perspective, Sun Peaks Bear Aware enables me to participate in community engagement, which is a really important part of science to me,” he said.

The relationship is nourishing for SPBA as well, according to Jumeau, who explained that his research will help the group advocate for bears within Sun Peaks. Jumeau will present his findings to the group and take part in information-sharing sessions at the farmer's market in Sun Peaks this summer.

Partnering with Jumeau helps the community understand bears’ patterns and how humans can adjust to respect the

Jumeau as he works to find bear scat. Photo provided.

Olivier Jumeau, a recent graduate from the geography department at TRU, is embarking on a research project exploring the diet of black bears living in Sun Peaks and whether the furry creatures’ proximity to the ski resort impacts their diet. Photo provided.

By Liz McDonald

animals who also call this land home, Irene Kastner from SPBA’s told SPIN.

“They’re wandering through the village looking for food,” She explained. “We have to be responsive to that and maybe change our patterns a bit.”

Bear sightings are a frequent occurrence in the village, but keeping a distance from the creatures and not habituating them to people’s presence (which includes not stopping to take photos) is important to keeping the bears and humans safe.

Kastner said she hopes Jumeau’s study will bring academic rigour to information about the bears diet and movements, some of which is already known by locals.

SPBA also hopes the study will help people become more attentive to their garbage storage, as the TRU study will show whether human food is in a bear's diet.

“Right now, there’s no bear that goes into the garbage at this time,” Kastner explained. “But that is a huge issue because at that point, the bear is in danger, and the people are in danger.”

In the fall of 2021, a mother bear and two cubs in Sun Peaks were destroyed because the bears became too comfortable around people by accessing unnatural food sources, highlighting the responsibility that comes with living in Sun Peaks.

The number one responsibility is storing trash correctly so bears don’t have access to garbage that will make them used to humans.

In order to enforce bear aware concepts, a bylaw in Sun Peaks allows the municipality to fine anyone who stores garbage incorrectly.

Other tips include removing berries from bushes on your property, cleaning barbecues after cooking, ensuring bird feeders are out of reach or removing them from a property in bear season.

A researcher from TRU is studying bear scat in Sun Peaks, a non-invasive way to understand what food is available to black bears and how living close to a ski resort impacts their diet

HEFFLEY CREEK THROUGH THE YEARS: FROM CAMELS TO CURRENT DAY

Heffley Creek is the northernmost community within the City of Kamloops boundaries, located 27 kilometres north of the city centre. It has grown in popularity in recent years due to its proximity to Sun Peaks, but what brought early settlers to the area in the mid-1800s?

SPIN took a dive into the history of the area and uncovered the quirky stories that make this community unique.

All Kamloops communities are located on the traditional unceded territory of the Secwepemc Peoples.

In 1811, three non-Indigenous fur traders came to Kamloops to begin trading with the Secwépemc community. By the 1850s, an influx of gold miners came to the area.

Once the Colony of British Columbia was established, the government wanted to build up settlements and encouraged tax-paying landowners to move to the area. Settlers began getting access to land ownership, and the Indigenous Peoples were segregated onto reserves.

These new settlements launched farming activity in the region, which led the first settler, Adam Heffley, to what is now known as Heffley Creek.

Adam Heffley and his cargo camels

Heffley, an American rancher, came to the region as a mining prospector in the gold rush of 1858. At that time, the area was known as Bourdignon Creek.

Heffley spent years raising horses on his ranch and working as a packer, but his biggest claim to fame was his attempt to use camels as cargo animals to carry pack supplies to the Cariboo goldfields.

The British Colonist, a daily newspaper out of Victoria, published an advertisement when the camels first went up for sale March 1, 1862 arguing for the camels’ likely success.

The ad reads: “Their greatest recommendation to Cariboo packers appears to lie in their long legs, which will enable them to breast deep snow-drifts, the merest sight of which would disturb the equanimity of the strongest-nerved or best-conducted jackass in British Columbia.”

On March 15, the newspaper followed up on the ad announcing John C. Colbreath of Lillooet was persuaded and bought the camels for $300 each. Colbreath was the representative for the operation of using camels to haul freight, and was working alongside Heffley.

The caravan of camels arrived in British Columbia by the following month and were sent out with supplies for the first time in May 1862.

In hindsight, it comes as no surprise that the camels were not used to the rough terrain. Further stories from the Colonist reported that the camels were so tired they had to climb up mountains on their knees and that one camel died after sliding off into a creek.

“Cushion-footed camels were as unsuited to the rock trails and hardpan of the Cariboo as jellyfish on a sidewalk,” read a 1968 article written about the operation. “Drivers, who had a sneaking affection for their charges, concocted boots from canvas and rawhide but those were quickly worn to shreds.”

But the abuse wasn’t the last straw — what is considered to have been the biggest contributor to their downfall was the camels demeanour. They were “grumpy” and scared the stagecoach horses. Since this was the only source of transportation at the time, the stagecoach drivers threatened legal action.

Heffley and the other men admitted defeat and gave up on the camels after a year.

Adam Heffley sits on the back of a camel, while W.H. Smith holds a rope. Photo by the British Columbia Archives.

By Kayla Empey

What happened to the camels afterwards is unknown. Some old stories claim they were let loose beside the Thompson River, and that one camel was shot by a man who mistook it for a grizzly bear and the meat was served at a local restaurant. Others claim the camels were taken in at ranches. Unconfirmed camel sightings around the region were reported for many years after.

Other namesakes

In 1871, Heffley died of a heart attack.

After his death, Heffley’s land was bought by John Thomas (J.T.) Edwards for over $4,000 — a considerable amount at the time. Edwards quickly became a prominent rancher in the area, raising horses and large herds of cattle.

He became so prominent in fact, the area was renamed from Bourdignon Creek to Edwards Creek.

Not long after, more settlers began moving to the valley. Recognizable settlers include Michael Sullivan and James Knoff, who now have lakes in the area named after them. Both of their properties were later bought by Edwards as he monopolized the region throughout the late 1880s.

However, in the mid-1890s, a cold winter hit Edwards hard. Many of his cattle froze to death, forcing him to give up his ranch due to financial loss.

Edwards sold the ranch to Sullivan, who chose to rent out the property.

What many people don’t know is Vinsulla, the small community north of Heffley Creek, is named after Sullivan. Years after his death, the Canadian National Railway wanted to honour Sullivan by naming a train stop after him. There was already another stop in the Fraser Valley called Sullivan, but since they had created the sign with the name printed on it, they cut it and moved around the pieces to create ‘Vinsulla.’

Heffley Creek from the 1900s to current day

The name of the area, lake and creek officially became Heffley Creek when the post office was established in 1905. However, it continued to be known as Edwards Creek for years after.

The post office operated out of the Heffley Creek store, which was built as part of a hotel a few years prior. Ownership of the store changed many times over the years and is still the same store known and loved today, alongside the gas station.

The first school was built in 1909 to accommodate the influx of children, who were born as more settlers arrived to the area. The school was in operation for about four years, and served as a multi-use gathering space for meetings and church services, before being turned into a full-time church around 1913.

At that point, the school was moved to another location across the creek, before the current Heffley Creek School opened in the 1950s.

Another prominent feature of the current community is Heffley Creek Hall, operated by the Heffley Creek Community Recreation Association. There was an original wooden community hall that was destroyed by a fire in 1968, and the current hall was built in 1970.

Heffley Creek was then amalgamated as a part of the City of Kamloops, alongside other communities in 1973.

Today, the community continues to grow in population as an ideal location between Kamloops and Sun Peaks.

From a gold mining community to the residential area it is known as today, Heffley Creek has come a long way in 200 years

TWO NEW TRAILS ON MORRISEY SET TO OPEN THIS SUMMER

By Liz McDonald

New terrain is opening up this summer in Sun Peaks on Morrisey Mountain.

Two trails were completed last year, and two more are almost ready for use this summer as part of the Morrisey Destination Trail Project, spearheaded by Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association (SPRTA).

Cedar-Twist, a multi-use trail that welcomes multi-directional hiking and uphill biking, opened last year, as did Calypso Groove for downhill riding. El Diablo is for downhill mountain biking and Sticky Fingers is a multi-use, multidirectional trail for hiking and biking.

Michael Sleziak, acting director of strategic planning with SPRTA and rental and retail manager for Sun Peaks Resort (SPR), said El Diablo and Sticky Fingers are waiting on signage and need time to dry out, due to deep snowpack from the winter, prior toopening to the public.

“A lot depends on what Mother Nature throws at us and in the next little bit, as well as the amount of trail maintenance time that we can put towards [projects],” Sleziak said.

He stressed people should only ride trails once they officially open, as riding on wet trails damages them, which requires a team to fix them.

The El Diablo trail is pays homage to an infamous angry grouse with a penchant for attacking skiers and riders on Morrisey.

According to Sleziak, the projects result from a decade’s work from SPRTA, Sun Peaks Resort, various trail associations and contractors involved in establishing the pedal access, freefor-use trails.

“Trail building is an exceptionally difficult and often thankless job,” he said. “I think a lot of people who haven't done it don't appreciate the amount of time that it takes on a section of trail that you might only be on your bike for three seconds. It might have taken people a week and a half to build if you're building by hand.”

That labour is on top of the paperwork needed for legal trail development with Sun Peaks Resort and the province of B.C.

Sleziak told SPIN the trails developed for the Morrisey Destination Trail Project were

intended to be ready by 2021, but extremely dry conditions resulted in wildfires, which prevented their completion.

A trail for for the Canadian Enduro League may also be finished this year, as Sun Peaks will host an event in September.

Sleziak said the trail would provide purposeful infrastructure for the fall race and any future enduro events, support athlete development and increase revenue for Sun Peaks’ economy. Approval for the work depends on permitting processes.

Cedar Twist is part of the pedal access trail network on Morrisey used for uphill biking, and multi-directional hiking. Photo by Liz McDonald.

The trails are part of the Morrisey Destination Trail Project, spearheaded by Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association (SPRTA)

MONTANA OEVERMANN ATTENDED TEAM CANADA TRAINING CAMP

The 16-year-old Taekwon-Do athlete was selected after competing at nationals in May

By Liz McDonald

Another local athlete is catching national attention for their sports prowess.

Montana Oevermann recently earned an invitation to the 2023 Team Canada Selection Camp for taekwon-do after competing at nationals in Vernon in May.

From June 9 to 11, Oevermann went to Regina to compete with athletes from across the country. Selectees displayed their skills and some were chosen to represent the country at the Taekwon-Do World Championships in Finland from Sept. 4 to 10. Athletes trained for the duration of the camp even if they weren’t selected for the team, gaining enhanced skills from highlevel coaches.

When Montana and her father/coach Ryan Oevermann found out she qualified for the training camp, they said, “what the flip.”

“It was really cool, except I was kind of confused because I didn't know that anyone was watching me at the competition,” Montana explained.

While Ryan knew there were scouts at nationals, Montana said her lack of knowledge helped her perform without extra stress.

“If I knew they were watching, I’d just be more stressed, and like, I would just freeze,” she said. “So I just did what I usually do.”

At nationals, she earned a bronze medal in sparring. The 16-year-old has trained since age five and takes classes at Northern Taekwon-Do Academy in Sun Peaks.

When she isn’t practicing Taekwon-Do, Montana said she works out every day at school during her favourite class – gym. In class, they practice intervals (running for two minutes and walking for one). She said cardio helps increase her endurance for sparring.

Montana saw training camp as an opportunity.

“It means a lot because taekwondo means a lot to my dad and my family…I'm also doing it for myself because it's a great opportunity,” the athlete explained.

Ryan said Taekwon-Do training helps athletes and young women gain confidence.

“They become confident in themself but not arrogant. I think it allows them – especially young ladies – to get independence and feel more comfortable in their surroundings. For teenage girls, that’s huge.”

Montana and Ryan Oevermann have trained together since she was five. Photo submitted.

KAMLOOPS PLAY TACKLES GENERATIONAL REGRET AROUND CLIMATE CHANGE

screenplay and a TV pilot before deciding to produce a Kamloops-based play.

“I thought a stage play would be more immediate and might have a positive impact on Kamloops,” he explained.

The piece was finished before the COVID-19 pandemic, and he’s waited to open the curtains since then.

“I’m really glad that it's finally to the stage after all this time, [which] has given me time to revise it and polish it.”

Johnson gained feedback from the director, Christopher Weddell, and the

By Liz McDonald

Environmentalists and comedy enthusiasts take note – there’s a new play in Kamloops tackling environmental degradation and regrets from the baby boomer generation’s failure to tackle climate change.

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) professor George Johnson is debuting his play, Boomerangst, at the Pavilion Theatre from June 8 to 17. The allages play focuses on a baby boomer who creates a commune of retirees and former band members.

In the play, the characters attempt to return to their youthful ideals and “get back to the land,” facing interpersonal struggles, environmental difficulty and eventually unifying against a multinational mining company.

“[The main character, James Brown,] tries to convince some of the others at the reunion to join him to form a kind of retirement commune to get back to the land and live out their youthful ideals because they were all sort of wanting to go green back in the day in the 70s,” Johnson said.

Johnson is the chair of the english and modern languages department at TRU and says the inspiration for the play started a decade ago after reading about a retirement community for performers in Vancouver.

“I read a newspaper, and I thought, ‘well, that sounds pretty interesting.’ How would people who are used to being center stage get along together in retirement?”

He’s been working on writing the script ever since, and originally developed it as a feature

actors participating in the production.

“It’s been a communal experience, and the whole thing is about a commune…in the environment, we all have to work together,” Johnson said.

The production team recently released a music video on YouTube as well, featuring a song called “Climate Crisis,” set in Deadman Valley amongst a wild-fire scorched backdrop.

Tickets for the play can be purchased online through Kamloops Live! Box Office at tickets.kamloopslive.com or at the door.

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) professor George Johnson is debuting his play, Boomerangst, at the Pavilion Theatre from June 8 to 17. The all-ages play focuses on a baby boomer who creates a commune of retirees and former band members. Photo via YouTube.

George Johnson, a Thompson Rivers University professor, said producing Boomerangst has been ‘a communal experience.'

Daily

Calling all pianists and writers! ArtZone has two public art installations ready for your skill. The first is a piano located in the village core, open to anyone who wants to serenade their friends and strangers.

For those who are more scribes than soloists, there's a typewriter between Fondue Stube and Mountain Tiger just waiting for you to hone your Hemmingway hands. Type a postcard to friends and family near or far and send it off from Sun Peaks.

Weekly

Mondays

Quizzy Rascal nights are back for the summer at Morrisey's Public House! Starting at 8 p.m., grab your team of six, pay $2 and reserve your table in advance.

Tuesdays

Trail building nights are back! Join community members and help maintain trails throughout Sun Peaks. Weekly events are held by Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association and members of the association are welcome to attend.

Fridays

AA meetings at Sun Peaks Secondary Academy at 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays

Kamloops Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Sundays

Sun Peaks market days begin June 18 and run until October 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

EVENTS

JUNE 16 - JULY 14

June

June 3 to July 27

Head to the Kamloops Court House and view art from The Indigenous Resurgence Project throughout June and July.

June 16 to 18

Summer lifts open at Sun Peaks Resort and run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Head into the alpine for a day spent exploring hiking and biking trails.

June 16

Sun Peaks Resort has a Lift and a Lager at Masa’s Bar + Grill from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All season pass holders or lift ticket day passes for June 16 are invited to have a beverage and enjoy a DJ set from DJ Cheeno and DJ Dadeeze.

June 17

Peak West businesses are holding their annual Block Party from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The afternoon brings food and drinks, live music and the grand opening of the General Store and Tool Crib, yoga, kids activities, axe throwing and shopping.

June 18

Father’s Day in Sun Peaks offers outdoor recreation opportunities as well as dining experiences. Mantles Restaurant has a breakfast buffet from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. For dinner, head to Morrisey’s Public House from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. or head back to Mantles from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

June 19

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association has a virtual workshop for Indigenous History Month presented by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Desiree Baker. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

June 21

Sun Peaks Yoga has a two-hour yoga session celebrating the beginning of summer with 108 salutations. The session from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. includes breathwork and a warmup, as well as meditation.

June 23 to 24

Plant lovers can head to JuggerBean Tattoo for a pop-up indoor plant sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can get some new plant babies and seek advice for indoor plant care.

July

July 1

Canada Day celebrations throughout Sun Peaks include a flash tattoo day at JuggerBean Tattoo Parlour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., live music by the Maritime Kitchen Party from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Soul Patch from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

July 3 to 9

Kids six to 16 golf for free at Sun Peaks Resort Golf Course with a paying adult. Rounds exclude club and cart rentals.

Painting

RUFF LIFE

by Barbara Olson

ClassiCanadian Crosswords

DOWN

Brock Hawes and his family held a fundraiser and goodbye party at Sun Peaks Resort. The family hopes to raise upwards of $30,000 to support Brock.

By Liz McDonald

SUN PEAKS DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKER TO COMPLETE AT WORLD CUP

Locals raised close to $1000 to support Brock Hawes as he represents Sun Peaks and Team Canada at the World Cup this summer.

Hawes’ family held a send-off event at Sun Peaks Resort June 1, which included biking competitions, a silent auction and a get-together at Bottoms Bar & Grill for those in attendance. The elite athlete was in town for a short visit before heading off to Lenzerheide, Switzerland, June 3 in preparation for his first international competition June 9.

The event was held under sunny skies and brought around 20 people who bid on gift baskets. Youth in the community competed against Brock in a foot-down competition, where bikers try to get close to each other and force a competitor to put their foot on the ground, a wheelie competition and a downhill race.

The 18-year-old downhill mountain biker was the overall champion for the 2022 Canada Cup and BC Cup in the junior expert men's division, despite the fact that he has only been mountain biking for five years.

Hawes says he hopes to place in the top 10 in the World Cup series and earn a spot on a factory

team, where he would be sponsored and travel year-round.

“You essentially get paid to ride your bike,” Hawes explained.

According to his mother Jenny Hawes, Brock has excelled on a bike his entire life, but it wasn’t until the family moved to Sun Peaks five years ago that Brock was exposed to downhill mountain biking.

After participating in biking camps during the summer and getting involved with friends, he began competing seriously in 2020. Three years later, he’s competing at an international level.

“He was still two years old when we took the training wheels off,” Jenny said. “He convinced us he could ride a bike right before his third birthday.”

Brock’s talent was on full display at the fundraiser as he competed against other youth in the community, including doing a wheelie that lasted over a minute, at around 150 meters.

Until now, the family has funded much of his sport, but Jenny explained that Brock’s international tour would cost between $30,000 and $50,000 because of flights, accommodation and bike mechanics.

Hawes will return to Canada part-way through the summer to compete in the Canada Cup circuit, head back to Europe for more competitions and circle back to North America again.

He’s currently sponsored by Gravity MTB and coached by Chad Hendren. He receives support from Forbidden Bike Company, Leatt, Nobl Wheels, Schwabe Tires and Magura. Sun Peaks Resort LLP supported the family by holding the fundraiser at the resort.

Hawes said the sport brings him into the present moment and takes away worries about life.

“When you start riding your bike and going down a trail, you forget everything, all your worries and everything that's bugging you in life – it just all goes away,” Brock explained. “You're just sucked in right to the present moment.”

Anyone interested in fundraising for Hawes on his European tour can donate online through makeachamp.com/brockhawes and follow him on Instagram @brock_hawes

Competitors line up in a row during a fundraiser for Brock Hawes at Sun Peaks Resort.

Photo by Liz McDonald.

ALPINE RESORT REALTY

EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED

LOCATED AT SUN PEAKS SINCE 1995

OPEN DAILY AT THE KOOKABURRA LODGE

T: 250 578 8222

TF: 1 800 663 2838

E: info@sunpeaksrealty.com

$ 1,229,000

$1,795,000

This landscaped slope side mountain home offers the ultimate ski-in, ski-out convenience as one of the best locations on the mountain, Sundance Estates. 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 in Sun Peaks and presents and exceptional opportunity to own one of the very best in resort living. Some of the features include soaring windows, radiant in floor heat, HRV, games room, inviting hot tub, oversized double car garage. GST n/a.

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.

$3,695,000

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.

THE RESIDENCES AT SUN PEAKS GRAND 1 & 2 BEDROOM UNITS AVAILABLE

Situated in the very heart of four season Sun Peaks Resort, this cozy top fl oor deluxe studio loft has it all! Featuring large windows to take in the sunny East facing view, plus a full kitchen, which accommodates nicely for extended stays - year round. Entirely renovated with new countertops, sinks and faucets in kitchen & bathroom, new appliances, mattresses, attractive furnishings, beautiful laminate fl ooring, paint, lighting, artwork, décor items and curtains. Spacious airy loft with bonus seating area provides the perfect amount of separation Appreciate the easy access out your front door to all four season activities!

Welcome to this highly anticipated, one of a kind lakefront offering. The covered entry strikes a welcoming note as soon as you enter the front door to the impressive panoramic vista of Heffley Lake. The floor-to-ceiling windows and fireplace set the stage for entertaining and enjoying the quintessential lake life. Designed for comfort and relaxation, the unique materials were hand-selected, including custom forged steel hardware throughout, kiln dried full dimensional Douglas Fir beams and trim. A beautifully planned and brilliant two bedroom, custom timber frame home that will capture your imagination. Call now to arrange your private viewing!

This quarter ownership offering at Sun Peaks offers affordable accommodation and potential rental returns when you are not using with only a fraction of the cost associated with ownership. The monthly condo fee includes everything...even the annual property taxes and resort association fee. Prime village location with true ski-in, ski-out access and full use of hotel amenities such as hot tubs, swimming pool, fitness center, restaurants, ski & bike valet, room service and more. GST applies.

Nancy Greene's Cahilty Hotel and Suites is an unrestricted owner use full service hotel offering ski to the door access to the slopes. This third floor lock-off offers fantastic views of the main mountain, while having the flexibility of renting or using the studio side or the bedroom side separately, or as a suite of rooms. This property has a fresh modern look having just been totally renovated and comfortably sleeps 8. The in house rental management provides flexible opportunities for personal use and revenue. Offered fully furnished; GST applies.

This beautifully appointed level entry one bedroom condo is designed to capture the ambiance of a Tyrolean Ski Village. Settle into the warm and welcoming atmosphere with an open kitchen/dining area, with living room and cozy fireplace, and heated tile floors. This bright and attractive condo features knotty pine cabinetry, doors and trim, in suite laundry, secure underground parking, outside ski storage and additional owner's storage room. Crystal Forest offers convenient ski-in access and is just a short stroll to the lifts, the Sun Peaks Center, outdoor ice rink & all village amenities. GST n/a; furnished.

Perfect for a vacation retreat, year round enjoyment or a fabulous rental property, this ground floor corner condo in Crystal Forest features 2 secure underground parking spaces, granite countertops in kitchen and bathroom, sleek corner gas fireplace, resilient vinyl plank floors, heated tile floors in bath, knotty pine cabinetry and doors. Relax around the cozy fireplace and watch the skiers zip home directly outside your living room window. New private hot tub and extended patio area backing onto the forest offers the ultimate in privacy. Offered furnished; GST n/a.

#10 CRYSTAL FOREST $519,900

#317/319 NANCY GREENE’S CAHILTY LODGE $375,000

4119 SUNDANCE DRIVE $3,399,000

#453 NANCY GREENE’S CAHILTY LODGE $294,900

2388 HEFFLEY LAKE ROAD

2203 SUNBURST DRIVE

2556 GOLDEN HORN ROAD

#5 Crystal Forest $499,000