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Volume 15 Issue 4 > APRIL 13 — MAY 11
@sunpeaksnews /sunpeaksnews
YOURS FREE TO TAKE HOME
RESORT TO INVEST MILLIONS in lodge upgrades
The current Sunburst Lodge sits near mid-mountain. | PHOTO SPIN
by JEAN STRONG
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s the end of another busy season approaches, Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) announced on March 21 that over $3 million will be invested to improve two food and beverage outlets. Bento’s Day Lodge, located by P1, and the mid-mountain Sunburst Lodge will each see larger seating areas and new food and beverage options. Aidan Kelly, director of marketing for SPR, said the planned investments are a reflection of increased inter-
est in Sun Peaks and faith in continued growth. “It’s the first investment like this in a while,” he said. “Since before 2008. It shows that the market is back.” The announcement comes on the heels of another strong season for the mountain which could beat records set last year. Kelly said the improvements follow the resort’s set master plan but were also requested in feedback from guests. “As a management group, we review all guest comments and feedback on a weekly basis and that was a very common one. The availability of
seats at lunch time and also the quality of the experience.” While the building’s footprint won’t change, Bento’s will receive a 45 per cent increase in capacity and a full interior remodel which will add more dining options for guests. More bathrooms will also be added. The extra space in the lodge will come from the current ski patrol clinic and offices moving out of Bento’s and into the new health centre. Kelly said the building will still serve as a cafeteria style space where guests can eat food brought from home or get ready for their day on the slopes.
Sunburst Lodge, at the top of the Sunburst chairlift, will double in size and see a significant increase in capacity for dining mid-mountain. There will still be a patio space available for spring and summer use while construction is underway. A full service bar, a variety of dining options and a separate area for teams and clubs to warm up, eat and meet will also be added. “On busy days when we do really well with our International Race Centre and all the Sun Peaks racers, they need somewhere to go in and warm up in between runs and there’s just not enough
seats for everyone,” Kelly said. “So there is going to be a warm up and brown bag lunch area in the downstairs of the Sunburst and then the seating and size upstairs will essentially double.” Construction on both projects will start at the end of this ski season for a Nov. 2017 completion, just in time for the 2017-18 ski season. Bento’s Lodge is rarely used during the summer months but Kelly said the resort is looking at options to provide bathrooms and food at the top of the Sunburst chair for summer guests while work is completed on that lodge.
Vol 15 Issue 4 April 13 — May 11
sunpeaksnews.com
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