SPIN Vol 15 Issue 8

Page 4 Heffley Creek

TO RECEIVE MILLION DOLLAR BRIDGE

&

Efforts

SUMMER

DOUSE FIRE NEAR WHITECROFT

Weather Forecast AUGUST 4 — 12 Scattered showers, hot

AUGUST 13 — 21

Showers, then sunny, warm

AUGUST 22 — 31

Showers, then sunny, warm

Volume 15 Issue 8 > AUGUST 4 — AUGUST 31

@sunpeaksnews /sunpeaksnews

YOURS FREE TO TAKE HOME

WILDFIRES

impact tourism operators

A smoky Sun Peaks’ sunset on July 10. | PHOTO MARIA DAVIS

by JEAN STRONG

M

ore than 400,000 hectares of land in B.C. has been burnt by wildfires since April with many of the largest igniting in July. Tourism operators around the province were left scrambling as the fires impacted the province’s peak tourist season.

In nearby Wells Gray Provincial Park operators were shocked by a sudden closure of the entire park on July 9. Guarded blockades stayed in place until the morning of July 25, more than two weeks after the

closure.

“This is the busiest time of year for us… there’s been quite a bit of business missed due to the closures,” said Mark Vanini, general manager of Liquid Lifestyles whitewater rafting in Clearwater, B.C. “We’ve had quite a few cancellations.”

Liquid Lifestyles runs whitewater rafting, kayaking and stand up paddle board trips in the park. Vanini said they had to lay off multiple staff members and cut hours during the closure.

The cancellations and lack of staff are expected to hurt businesses for the remainder of the

season even as the park reopens to welcome guests.

“I’m sure there was thousands of dollars missed out on. All of our guests are here to enjoy the park and if the park is closed they won’t come to Clearwater.”

Stephanie Molina, tourism marketing manager for Tourism Wells Gray, said the closure impacted a significant part of an already short season for operators.

“We’re seeing long-term cancellations. In what was projected to be one of our strongest years, operators are now reporting hundreds and hundreds of cancellations.”

Many business feature products in the park as well as in other locations.

Operators like Liquid Lifestyles were forced to adapt their product with no notice, and Molina said she was impressed by the reactions.

“I’m really amazed by the resiliency of the operators, they have moved and been really creative. They’re doing everything they can to stay alive.”

Molina said the year has been exceptional and has also thrown the highest water levels and largest windstorm in 20 years at the local industry.

Tourism is the second largest driver of the area’s economy

and is projected to have generated more than $30 million in 2016, more than an $11 million increase since 2012.

Even operators not impacted by the closure of Wells Gray or other parks saw downturns due to wildfires.

In Sun Peaks, Sun Peaks Stables owner Robert Taylor said bookings for trail rides have decreased compared to the same time last year.

Some rides were cancelled due to smoke, and while Taylor says some tourists displaced from areas impacted by fire have chosen to visit continued on next page

Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

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SUN PEAKS INDEPENDENT NEWS INC. PO Box 1043 Sun Peaks BC V0E 5N0

Phone: 250•578•0276 For comments, questions, concerns email: editor@sunpeaksnews.com Email your classifieds or ads to: editor@sunpeaksnews.com

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LOCAL NEWS CONTINUED FROM COVER board operation owned and run by Bodie Shandro, saw a him it doesn’t cancel out the decrease in bookings during lost revenue. the smoky days from the fire.

Financially he said he isn’t Shandro said it will have a “freaking out’” yet but the lack significant financial impact on of cash will be a challenge. his business and questioned if “It’s not going to be good. the government will assist the It’s going to be hard.” tourism industry the way they At Heffley Lake, Paddle have for the softwood lumSurfit, a stand up paddle ber and agriculture industries

during other crises.

Help may be on the way but it is unclear what form it may come in. Molina said the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association has been working with B.C. Economic Development Association to implement a disaster economic recovery program.

It is also possible some

operators’ business interruption insurance may help cover losses “We will try to find as many resources as we can to help with recovery,” Molina said.

“Lucky for us the park has not been impacted by any wildfires this season. It’s still there with all its majesty and beauty.”

#sunpeaksnews

OUR TEAM

New Health Centre prepares to welcome patients

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Brandi Schier

brandi@sunpeaksnews.com

by JEAN STRONG

GRAPHIC ARTIST Jen Schier

jen@sunpeaksnews.com

REPORTER Jean Strong

M

issing a doctor isn’t stopping construction progress on the Health Centre located next to Bento’s Day Lodge.

Electrical work, painting and flooring are all being completed so the ski patrol clinic can move in this fall, followed shortly by the Sun Peaks Health Clinic for the winter.

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort

Municipality (SPMRM) chief administrative officer Rob Bremner said a committee has formed to hire an administrator who will assist with finding and hiring a doctor or a team of doctors. He expected the administrator role to be filled by early August.

Until that time, Bremner said it’s possible the clinic will operate as it does now on limited hours and days each week out of the new space using a rotating roster of volunteer doctors.

A sign asks doctors to consider working at Sun Peaks.

| PHOTO SPIN

jean@sunpeaksnews.com

Fire Rescue welcomes new training officer

REPORTER Aidan Grether aidan@sunpeaksnews.com

CONTRIBUTORS Mel Rothenburger Emily Perrins Allen Best 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.

ON THE COVER

PHOTO BY MARIA DAVIS

2

sunpeaksnews.com

by JEAN STRONG

A

fter years of serving the community, Sun Peaks Fire Rescue (SPFR) training officer Luke Harrison is leaving his role. Joss Advocaat started as the new training officer in July, and is already looking forward to recruiting new volunteer members in August.

“It’s big boots to fill,” Advocaat said. “He’s done a really good job with this program.”

Joining was for something to do in the community, he said.

But after coming in as an inexperienced volunteer three years ago he worked tirelessly to complete all kinds of training.

At times he struggled to hold a full time job, be a committed volunteer and pursue extra

Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

training but he found he was passionate about it and wanted to work hard.

“The training is always ongoing, there was always something new.”

Training included driving fire trucks, learning incident command, completing medical training and inspections. Advocaat said his favourite was the fire service instructor course.

“I like the teacher role, I’ve always been teaching someone else,” he said.

He will be able to apply those skills to the position through implementing a new training program from the fire commissioner.

While growing up in the community Advocaat said he was drawn to public service roles but never imagined finding himself in firefighting, now he can’t see himself

Joss Advocaat is taking over the training officer role at Sun Peaks Fire Rescue. | PHOTO SPIN

anywhere else.

“Now that I’m in this role I know firefighting is the way to go.”

He said when he realized it

was going to become his career choice he never thought he would be able to stay in his home of Sun Peaks.

“I’m really happy to be here.”

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The construction of 24 VillageWalk luxury townhomes is now taking shape in the Village Centre (only 2 remaining to be sold), the Sun Peaks Medical Centre is poised to open this Fall, and expanding restaurant services are well underway at Bento’s and Sunburst Lodge. Rob Bremner, CAO, advises there are currently 18 active building permits in Sun Peaks.

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Vol 15 Issue 7 July 7 — August 3

sunpeaksnews.com

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LOCAL NEWS Remembering Duncan seys and promote the motto “No matter who you are, you matter.”

“It’s an opportunity to ride for his brother,” Karen said. “It gives him an opportunity to make each ride about awareness.”

The riders are accepting pledges or donations can be made directly to the youcaring fund. Karen said corporate sponsorships would also be appreciated. Her current goal for this fundraiser is $20,000 but she isn’t limiting herself to just one.

Karen said the fundraiser is important for her not only to bring Henick to B.C. but also to raise awareness of the real impact of suicide.

“It’s like my life has stalled and will never be the same,” she said. “If I can prevent one more family from experiencing this that’s my goal.

Karen said she wants to spread the message that everyone is important.

“Everybody matters no matter who they are. We all have value whether we see it in ourselves or not. We matter to someone.”

Karen said she hopes that speaking about a topic considered taboo will also help others understand how to support

>> Raising awareness of suicide prevention to save lives

by JEAN STRONG

“There isn’t a word that describes it. Devastating to the extreme.”

Karen Kilba was at a loss for words when trying to describe the pain of her son’s death.

Duncan Kilba was 19 years old when he died by suicide earlier this year. The Whitecroft local had graduated high school in Kamloops and was stepping into the rest of his life. His death came as a huge shock to family and friends and has caused a ripple effect of grief.

Months after her life changed, Karen is working to bring a speaker to schools both locally and across the province to help other children and young adults who may be struggling. She is

Karen Kilba is working to honour her son Duncan’s memory.

also trying to bring awareness to suicide prevention and the impact suicide has on families and communities.

“People are afraid to talk about mental illness but we need to talk about it,” she said.

“There’s so much anguish and anger around suicide death, it affects immediate family, friends, family of the friends and extended family.”

She said she wants to put the energy from her anger to good use and created the Duncan Kilba Memorial Fund for Suicide Prevention.

One of the fund’s main goals

| PHOTO SUPPLIED

is to bring mental health advocate and speaker Mark Henick to B.C. to help provide education to high school and university students about suicide prevention. Kilba said Henick’s TEDx Talk “Why we chose suicide” helped give her purpose and understand how Duncan felt that March morning.

Her sixteen-year-old son Benton Kilba has teamed up with a group of downhill mountain bikers from Whitecroft to ride for Duncan. At every BC Cup race this year, from Sun Peaks to Panorama to Mount Washington, they will ride with team jer-

those impacted.

“I’m searching for support and help (for suicide loss in Kamloops) and can’t find anything. In trying to understand Duncan’s despair and why he did what he did, I have felt that despair. It’s such a desperate place; there have been times I have felt like I can’t take another step forward.”

She said support doesn’t have to be grand gestures but can be as simple as holding a hand or going on a walk.

“The ones that help the most do so with their presence,” she said. She added they are the ones who show up to be with her through the emotions.

It’s just the beginning of both the fundraiser and the grieving process for Karen and her family. There’s a long road ahead of her, one she called the most uncomfortable thing she will do in her lifetime.

“Duncan’s not going to be forgotten,” she said. “And his 19 years are going to have purpose. If I prevent one other family from experiencing this then it won’t be for nothing.”

If you or someone you know is suicidal please reach out for help. In B.C. phone 1-800-SUICIDE 24 hours a day seven days a week.

NEWS BRIEFS >> Fire near Whitecroft under control The Heffley Louis Creek Road fire, visible from Whitecroft, B.C. and a few minutes drive from Sun Peaks, was brought

>> $1.4 million bridge coming to Heffley Creek

>> Heffley Creek boil water advisory continues 4

sunpeaksnews.com

under control by wildfire crews on July 31. Ground and air crews worked around the clock to control the blaze since it was first reported July 26.

Despite not growing past 1.8 hectares for a number of days, the fire was considered out of control.

Fire information officer Jody Lucius said a fire can

be classified as out of control despite not growing in size if a guard hasn’t been established on the perimeter.

“Even though it isn’t growing if the wind were to shift or weather changed it could grow,” she explained.

Crews were challenged by steep and heavily timbered terrain in the area.

The fire is believed to be caused by lightning. Although it was first reported on a sunny day, Lucius said lightning strikes from cooler days can smolder in trees or root systems for some time before hot, dry weather can create heat that starts the fire.

No structures were threatened during the fire.

A stretch of Old Highway 5 in Heffley Creek washed out by floods in early May won’t be driveable until this winter, according to the City of Kamloops.

In July a temporary pedestrian walkway was created to pass over the

remaining road and connect the disjointed community but cars must continue to use Highway 5 to bypass the closure.

Darren Crundwell, capital projects manager for the City of Kamloops, said water didn’t recede in

the area until June and it damaged gas, electric and water supplies.

Because of the extent of the damage to the road, a bridge was selected as the best repair option.

Tendering for the project will take place in August

A boil water advisory that has been in place since floods washed out a section of Old Highway 5 in Heffley Creek on May 6 will likely continue until repairs to water supply and the road are complete this winter.

Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

Deb Smith, administrator for Heffley Creek Water Works, said the advisory was put in place after a water main ruptured during the washout.

While repairs have restored running water to the community after a

short disruption, residents have been told to continue boiling water.

No details on the specific risk to health were available.

“A Boil Water Notice (BWN) is placed on water systems when water quality test results

BC Wildfire aircraft drop water on the blaze on July 26.. | PHOTO SPIN

for construction to begin in September. Crundwell said the project should completed by winter.

He said the total cost of the project will be $1.4 million, $1 million of the cost is for the bridge itself.

indicate a health risk, such as pathogens, may be present in the water,” Interior Health said in an email. “Individuals not following the advice of the public notice may increase their risk of falling ill due to pathogens.”

COLUMNIST VIEWS

COMMUNITY Rural residents step up in wildfire crisis MEL ROTHENBURGER TNRD REPORT director.mrothenburger@tnrd.ca

Mel Rothenburger is the TNRD Director for Electoral Area P, including Whitecroft and Heffley Creek. He was the mayor of Kamloops from 1999-2005 and a former newspaper editor.

T

his long hot summer of wildfires isn’t over yet, according to the pundits, weather forecasters and experts.

For many, it’s been hell.

News reports focus on numbers, and the exodus of thousands of evacuees from towns like Ashcroft, Cache Creek, 100 Mile House and Williams Lake to larger centres like Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George has cap-

tured the attention of media locally and around the world.

Without doubt, people from small urban centres have gone through a lot, but so have those in rural areas. Those living on ranches or small acreages have extra burdens when they’re evacuated.

Their homes are often closer to interface areas than those of city dwellers, and more isolated. Officials find it much harder to keep track of whether those homes and their outbuildings have survived or been destroyed, so it takes longer for owners to find out their fate. That uncertainty adds to the stress.

On top of that, they very often have livestock to protect, in addition to family

pets. How to get them out of harm’s way, and where to take them?

Horses are a particular concern. Some Williams Lake residents had to load their horses into trailers and haul them for seven or eight hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic to Kamloops after the area was evacuated.

That put real stress on the unfortunate animals, as well as the owners. By the time they made it to Kamloops they were exhausted. Horses are stoic but sensitive creatures, and some have very different tolerance levels — not to mention different stages of maturity and training — when it comes to sudden changes in their conditions.

But the response by ru-

ral residents in the Thompson-Nicola region to this plight has been amazing.

People instantly started offering to foster evacuated livestock, and various groups stepped up to provide temporary holding areas.

A typical scenario is for one of these shelters to look after the horses, as well as other farm animals, until they’re either ready to go home or until a fostering arrangement can be made. Horsey people take volunteer shifts around the clock to make sure the animals are fed, watered, re-assured, and exercised.

In times of crisis, we all try to fit in where we can best help out. It might be at the reception centre, caring for pets, offering a place to park

RVs, or donating goods. In my case, it’s been the horses, and I’ve been hugely impressed with the selfless work being done by the individuals and groups that have come together using the Kamloops Exhibition Association’s horse barns.

We couldn’t get through such situations without the thousands who extend a helping hand, and rural residents are especially good at it. As an aside, I think a lesson from the current wildfire situation is that a full-scale Volunteer Operations Centre needs to be established — parallel to the Emergency Operations Centre — in order to most effectively direct the efforts of those who want to help.

The best years are ahead

by JEAN STRONG

S

ki resorts and hot tubs go hand in hand; after a long day on the mountain people want to unwind and relax.

That was Dan Stebner’s thought twenty years ago when he founded Sun Peaks Aquatics. He worked at a pool as a teen but held other jobs before settling on being “the hot tub guy.”

“I fell in love with it,” he said.

“I thought of the future and said ‘I’m going to jump in now and be the hot tub guy.’”

Stebner didn’t let his lack of experience hold him back.

When other hot tub repair businesses refused to help him find information he sat down and figured it out himself.

“I might as well figure it out.

The end result is you have to provide hot water.”

It wasn’t until five years later, around the time his son was born, that the business could stay open more than just the winter months.

Running a business in a sea-

sonal resort wasn’t easy.

“In the 20 years, 10 per cent of those years were really gainer years. It’s not easy. I give credit to anyone who builds a business up here; there are so many adversities.”

But the challenge was worth it for Stebner. He has grown and made connections in the industry across North America.

He has attended events in the United States, consulted with companies around the continent, and was named Pleatco Perfect Spa Guy in 2013. It was just one of many awards and recognitions he has received since starting at Sun Peaks.

Outside of the business he has built a life in the community.

His daughter Dana is the only child born in Sun Peaks, at a home on Burfield Drive, delivered by Stebner and other volunteer firefighters.

He and his children have had the chance to watch the resort and community grow around them.

“It inspires me,” he said.

“There’s tons of good people here. The really cool thing is I remember the master plan and

>> Sun Peaks Aquatics celebrates 20th anniversary

Dan Stebner in his element.

| PHOTO SUPPLIED

Sun Peaks has stuck to it.”

He said he wouldn’t have been able to make it without the team of staff he works alongside. He speaks highly of employees like Bobbie Lyall, who keep the company running.

“It’s certainly not about me,” Stebner said.

Looking forward he wants to pass more responsibility to his team.

“I would like to increase the

tech team and work more on the business than in the business,” he said.

He said he expects to see Sun Peaks grow even more and is excited to be involved in it.

“I don’t think I’m where I want to be yet but I think I’m going in the right direction. The next years are going to be wonderful.

The best years for Sun Peaks are right ahead of us, the vibe is in the air.”

Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

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LOCAL NEWS Elementary school reaches maximum capacity >>Sun Peaks’ schools continue to grow

The new secondary school ready to welcome students. | PHOTO SPIN

by JEAN STRONG

T

his September students will return to full classrooms in Sun Peaks as enrollment in the elementary and secondary schools continues to rise.

Ninety four students have enrolled from kindergarten to grade seven, and another 20

or more will be welcomed in grades eight through twelve.

Assistant superintendent of School District 73 Rob Schoen said based on April predictions the school district expected 74 elementary students. The school will be at capacity as based on class composition the maximum number of spaces is 94.

Schoen said parents shouldn’t

be worried about their child not having a space and encouraged them to come to the first day of school.

“Show up, we’ll welcome them in and figure out what to do in terms of space and organization,” he said.

“At this point I don’t think anyone needs to have |any concerns.”

He said Sun Peaks students having to attend other schools in Heffley Creek or Rayleigh could be possible but they wouldn’t jump to it as a solution.

“People who are moving up here want to attend here and we are excited to welcome them.”

Older students may feel the squeeze soon as their enrollment also grows.

Sun Peaks Education Society (SPES) president Ross Blakeney said enrollment was sitting at 20 students but could grow before the school year began.

Blakeney said the growing

“PEOPLE WHO ARE MOVING UP HERE WANT TO ATTEND HERE AND WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME THEM.”

elementary school numbers have them preparing for more children as students advance through the grades. SPES has

more time to plan before reaching their capacity of around 35 students.

“We’re looking at growing by 10 (students) per year going forward,” he said.

This year secondary students will be taught by one full time teacher and facilitator four days a week.

They will also be in a new space, a building beside the Sun Peaks Alpine Club. The move from the top of the platter lift will be complete for their first day on Sept. 5.

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NEWS BRIEFS >> Whitecroft water issues resolved As Whitecroft residents are aware, the boil water advisory placed on the area

>> Food advertising bill back for debate A bill concerning marketing food to children drafted

by Canadian Senator and Sun Peaks resident Nancy Greene Raine has passed through two readings and six panels of witnesses in federal

6

sunpeaksnews.com

nearly two months ago was lifted on July 11. The Whitecroft Water Association (WWA) sent eight samples to be tested, and when all were cleared of chloroform they were comfortable removing the advisory.

Speaking on behalf of the WWA, chairman Seth Worthen confirmed the initial sample was contaminated by

dead water in a hose.

“Often when water comes from a ‘Y’ splitter, some of it won’t flush through the hose all the way so there’ll be stale water sitting for a long time and heating up in the hose.

The consensus of the WWA is that was the case here.”

After the initial sample returned with a chloroform score of 74, the WWA was

required to chlorinate the water despite their belief that the initial samples were flawed. After the reservoir was drained for chlorination, some sediment was disturbed which contributed to a post-chlorination score of two.

After another flush, there was a problem with water reaching the lower road and

the cul de sac due to the distance from the shock, Worthen said.

“In the end we opened up the fire hydrant on the lower road and pumped through there instead of waiting for water in the reservoir to reach the area. Shortly after that, both tests came up positive and we removed the advisory.”

Parliament. In the fall, it will return to the Senate for a third reading and be debated again. If it is passed it will be brought to the House of Commons.

The new law would aim to help curb childhood obesity rates.

Two changes were made to the bill, which called for a ban on the marketing of food and beverages to children under 13.

The first altered the age range to include those 17 years old and under.

Raine said new research showed teenagers are as vulnerable to marketing as younger children.

The second change concerned what types of foods were covered under the ban. The first version of the bill included all foods and beverages, but it now specifies unhealthy foods.

Deciding to include the word unhealthy will allow the bill to define what is healthy and what is not, Raine said.

She added that although the bill is detailed, some information will be left out on purpose but covered by regulations which are easier to change and update than legislation.

Raine said the changes have good support from all parties and she feels good

about the progress.

“I think the bill as it sits now will capture what I was intending which is to significantly decrease the amount of food and beverage advertising children and teens are seeing.”

Raine said she is passionate about the issue of obesity in Canada and the impact it has on individuals as well as the publicly funded health care system.

Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

LOCAL NEWS Resort to acquire new development land

by AIDAN GRETHER

S

un Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) is nearing the bottom of the barrel of its currently owned development properties. Real estate manager for SPR, Peter Nixon, confirmed only two single home developer lots remain for sale on Lookout Ridge by the company, as well as a few condos in the Sun Peaks Grand Residences.

“I’m expecting that by the fall we’ll have the last two lots sold that we own. It’s hard to say with the Residences because

>> SPR running out of owned undeveloped land of the type of ownership they are, but I’m hoping within the next few years we’d see some of them moved out,” Nixon said.

The Residence condos are fractional ownership properties, mostly in a quarter ownership model.

Selling property has been a strong economic driver for SPR, and brings in more than the immediate profit made upon selling.

“We obviously make money on the sale and servicing, but people build houses, condos and hotels which also house new businesses. Down the road, all the beds these sales create lead to more growth in the area.”

Running out of development land doesn’t mean that growth at the resort is slowing, as Nixon and SPR will be analyzing undeveloped lands included in the master development

Not just cows and cookies “I THINK 4-H WAS A VERY KEY COMPONENT TO ANY SORT OF SUCCESS THAT I’VE HAD”

Sarah Kate Smith at a 4-H conference in Ottawa. | PHOTO SUPPLIED

by JEAN STRONG

F

rom showing lambs to speaking at international conferences, Sara Kate Smith, 18, is a versatile and passionate person with a knack for helping others.

Since joining the Yellowhead 4-H club in Barriere, B.C. at the age of seven she has found ways to give back and improve the lives of other members and the greater community.

Having just graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at NorKam Secondary in Kamloops, she is currently a 4-H ambassador and is working towards a place on the national youth advisory committee while preparing to attend the University of British Columbia in the fall.

On Canada Day she was awarded an MP Youth Award by Cathy McLeod for her volunteer work in B.C. and beyond.

One of the reasons she was selected was her founding of a three day conference for 4-H members called Speak Out Loud.

Delegates were coached on public speaking, job interviews, resumes, personal branding, social media and more. All are passions of Smith’s, who believes in their great importance to success.

“In rural areas like Barriere it’s harder for youth to find those opportunities to prepare for a career,” Smith said. “It was such a pleasure to watch them learn and grow.”

Smith also presented a Ted-X talk in 2016 on the importance of millennials in agriculture and succession planning for family farms.

Those public speaking talents are now taking her farther afield to places like Washington, DC, and to Ottawa for the Global 4-H Network Summit in July.

Smith said she was able to connect with delegates from clubs around the world and has since been invited to speak at clubs in the United States.

In her free time she skied for the Sun Peaks Alpine Club and coached for the Nancy Greene Ski League last winter. She also played for NorKam’s provincial championship winning women’s rugby team.

While she is now looking towards a bright and busy future, Smith said she wants to stay involved and won’t be forgetting 4-H anytime soon.

“I think 4-H was a very key component to any sort of success that I’ve had,” she said. “It’s not just cows and cookies, it’s leadership and public service.

“I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

agreement with the province and making recommendations to SPR’s board on the next required steps.

“There are more projects on the horizon, and we’ll be getting started on some of the leg work soon to have a presentation to the board prepared for the fall,” said Nixon.

“We’re only about a third of the way through the master plan of development, so we still have a lot to do.”

The lift and development company also sees access towards the east side of Sun Peaks and the McGillivray Lake Forestry Road connecting to the Shuswap as a high priority.

“Eventually, we’d like to see BC Hydro run a line from that way so we can have redundancy. We are going to outgrow the need for one powerline into the village, it’s just a matter of when.”

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Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

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7

LOCAL NEWS Bear Safe committee works for certification

by JEAN STRONG

S

un Peaks is closer to being Bear Smart Certified because of the work of a municipal committee started last fall.

The group worked with Rhiannon Guerra, WildSafeBC community co-ordinator, and conservation officers to complete a bear hazard assessment, prepare human-bear conflict management plans and implement education for guests and residents through brochures.

Next the committee plans to introduce bylaws regarding bear attractants such as trees.

Guerra said Sun Peaks stands to benefit from the program as a tourist destination that will be able to market itself as environmentally friendly.

Members of the community also have the responsibility to be bear safe.

“How people can help is to learn about the bears we have here, what their biology is and how that works to drive them to find food, shelter, etc. and what our attractants are and how to either remove or manage

them,” she said.

She added that garbage is the main attractant and bird feeders and mountain ash trees are also tempting to the animals.

Sun Peaks Resort LLP is creating educational presentations for staff and tours that will be rolled out next summer.

Guerra said the community can help by using promotional tools to further educate anyone in the area, more information will be available at the WildSafeBC tent at Sun Peaks farmers’ markets or visit their website at wildsafebc.com.

Representatives from WildSafeBC will be on hand at Sun Peaks’ Farmers’ markets to provide information. | PHOTO SPIN

Baby Doh’s sets sights on fall expansion >> Donut shop has grown in popularity since opening

by AIDAN GRETHER

P

aul Ferguson spent a number of years living all over B.C. before settling in Sun Peaks. He has worked as a river guide, ski guide and ski instructor, which is what he did at Sun Peaks prior to opening Baby Doh’s, a new mini donut shop located in the Heffley Boutique Inn. “As a ski guide here, a lot of my clientele were Australian and had skied Perisher which had this snack restaurant that made mini donuts, pretzels and popcorn and they would ask why we didn’t have a snack place here.

Eventually enough of them told me to open (one) that my wife and I started to look into it.”

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Ferguson has plans to grow his store in the fall by removing a partition wall, painting and adding more food variety. Soft pretzels, movie theatre popcorn, hot dogs and nachos will eventually join the menu.

Opening wasn’t an overnight process.

“It’s an idea I’ve had for four years now and as I saw Sun Peaks growing and expanding I thought, why not try? Now is as good a time as any.”

He has permission from the hotel to keep his shop open into the night on certain busy winter weekends to serve the late night crowd.

Ferguson approached the business as a way to fill a need for the resort and its skiers.

“We’re not here to gouge any-

Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

Paul Ferguson starts the donut making process. | PHOTO SPIN

one or get rich. When I was a big skier this kind of business is exactly what I wanted so we’re going to try to cater to that crowd,” he said.

Baby Doh’s had it’s official opening on Canada Day and

was warmly received by the community. Ferguson made 30 dozen donuts an hour over the course of the day. The machine is capable of producing 1,200 doughnuts an hour, but requires the operator to

have a special certification for that rate.

“Everyone was very happy when they came in, I saw lots of locals and tourists alike smiling and enjoying their donuts.

It’s exciting!”

GET OUT THERE So long and thanks for all the fish >> Historic Knouff Lake Resort listed for sale

by JEAN STRONG

D

on and Gloria Lamberton are entering their 28th season as owners and operators of Knouff Lake Resort, about a 45 minute drive from Sun Peaks. It will likely be the last year they greet guests to the lakeside property.

They placed the resort for sale in July and while potential buyers tour the cabins, store and out buildings, the couple are reflecting on their years on the lake and years after retirement.

After leaving the jewelry manufacturing business in White Rock, B.C. they moved to the remote property in 1990. The change took some getting used to, being far from a store and their friends, but they got to work and began a complete

overhaul of the property.

“It took a little adjustment but we fell in love with it,” Don said.

Don worked alongside a crew to rebuild roofs, refloat the dock, build a new store and restore cabins, some built more than 80 years prior.

They took out swaths of trees killed by pine beetles, added lawns and landscaped the property to create sites for motorhome and tent camping.

Gloria focused on decorating and making the store and cabins feel welcoming and warm.

“I’ll rough something up and she’ll finish it,” Don said.

Now the various types of camping sites and accommodation across 46 acres are booked all summer and much of the other seasons. The same groups and families return year after year to fish on the lake and reunite with Don and Gloria.

They said the guests have

been steady, some from before they purchased the resort still return, and they have had the chance to watch children grow up. Don said some of his favourite memories are of watching kids hook their first fish off the dock.

The lake was stocked with rainbow trout that now thrive.

Fish as large as 23.5 pounds have been caught and continue to be the goal of anyone angling on the lake.

Gloria said they’re ready to move on and have prepared themselves to retire.

Once the property is sold they won’t be going far. Their home is on an adjacent lot and they plan to stay and work on the other property. Don’s dream is to create a park setting with trails, gazebos and ponds.

They will also be around to help the new owners and enjoy the lake.

“Nature did so well,” Don said. “Once we took off and looked around to see where we’d like to live and we turned around. There’s no place better than this.”

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Don and Gloria Lamberton in front of the store at Knouff Lake Resort. | PHOTO SPIN

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Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Talented locals turn artistic dreams into reality >> M & J Designs finds supportive market community

“CREATING ART IS ONE THING, BUT THEN PUTTING IT OUT ON A TABLE WITH A VALUE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE IS SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT.”

by AIDAN GRETHER

J

oey Riegler and Marlie Marchewka are new to the business scene in Sun Peaks, but not to the community. The two moved to the mountain nearly 13 years ago, leaving once for three years to Kaslo, B.C., but returning after realizing Sun Peaks was home.

“This is our second year home again, and we don’t regret it at all,” Marchewka said.

This summer the pair took an idea they’d had for years and turned it into a reality when they opened M & J Designs at the first Sun Peaks Farmers’ Mar-

Marchewka (left) and Riegler (right) stand in their booth at their grand opening. | PHOTO SPIN

ket of 2017. Selling their handmade stained glass, metalwork, and woodworking projects has been a new and challenging but rewarding experience for both of them.

Both Riegler and Marchewka are used to turning their pas-

sion into results as both volunteer their time to the Bluebird Day Fund, a non-profit organization with the goal of helping kids succeed in their chosen sport. Riegler has worked as a snow cat operator for over 10 years, and Marchewka serves at Voyageur Bistro and is also a snowboard coach in the winter.

“We’ve always been into crafts and creating cool things, this is the first time we’ve ever done it for more than just fun though,” said Marchewka.

She began making her stained glass art after being inspired by a similar type of work she saw at a market in Kaslo, then took a course in Kamloops to learn more about it.

Riegler created most of the woodworking projects.

“I’ve been making barnwood furniture with my Dad for a long time, and now woodworking is something I really like to do.

I’ve been able to take a lot of

my experience and training as a carpenter and use it to make this creative art,” Riegler said, who trained as a carpenter in Germany.

Their business has experienced a serious snowball effect since starting earlier this summer.

“We’re kind of running faster than we can walk right now,” Marchewka said.

“We just started this for fun out of passion and now we’ve actually got a heavy workload with it, which we’re very thankful for,” added Riegler.

They’ve had heavy demand for custom orders as well as plenty of sales at their weekly booth. Despite the additional work, they’re very happy with what they’re doing.

“It’s great to see Marlie doing this because I’ve always known she was very talented. Just that she’s found the glass work and she likes doing it is very cool

to see,” Riegler said. “The talent she has, obviously, people like it.”

“Creating art is one thing, but then putting it out on a table with a value for the world to see is something totally different.

Everyone’s been super appreciative in their feedback, and I’ve found that I’ve been hardest on myself about my work which is really new to me,” Marchewka added.

She has been ecstatic with the response from Sun Peaks.

“Sun Peaks kinda has it’s own little heartbeat, and we’ve kinda just flowed right in with that. Little markets are so great because they’re personal, and the vendor, whether it’s a farmer or a craftsman or whatever, has taken a bit of themselves and put it into their creation.”

“We couldn’t ever thank the community, the customers and now even the repeat customers enough for their support,” Riegler added.

Going forward, M & J Designs are content with the Sun Peaks Farmers’ Market stand where they got their start, but they won’t rule out adding additional markets in the future.

The two had planned to attend Kamloops farmers’ markets this summer, but due to a late start in the spring and doing so well in their hometown, decided to keep their brand local.

“It’d be nice one day to see our stuff in our own little store here, but that’s quite a ways down the road,” Riegler said.

“We’re very happy now, but we’ll see!”

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Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Iconic Canadian band performing Summer Concert series >> Margit Sky Project to open for Trooper

by AIDAN GRETHER

T

he 2017 Summer Concert Series taking place on Aug. 26 will feature the band Trooper, performing on the mainstage at 6 p.m. Formed in 1975 in Vancouver, Trooper has toured the country for decades and continues today.

Trooper was a recipient of the Juno Award for Group of the Year in 1979, beating other legendary Canadian bands Rush and Prism for the title. Their best known hits include Raise A Little Hell, We’re Here For A Good Time (Not A Long Time) and The Boys In The Bright White Sports Car. Local band The Margit Sky Project will open for Trooper at 4 p.m.

“It’s very exciting to open

for a big Canadian band like Trooper,” Margit Gossage of the Margit Sky Project said.

“I listened to their music and went to their concerts when I was younger and now it feels like it’s all coming full circle.”

The Margit Sky Project formed five years ago and plays with up to six pieces, all of which will be on display at the concert.

“We want people to be able to hear our full sound and really get a feel for what we can do.”

Made up primarily of Gossage and her partner, Rod Bandura, the two played nearly 100 shows in 2016 and have opened in the past for big names like Kevin Costner, Burton Cummings and Barney Bentall in Sun Peaks.

Gossage has been teaching guitar and vocals for over 15 years in the Kamloops area.

She performed as a solo artist for years before uniting with Bandura as the Margit Sky Project, and continues to love what she does.

“I can’t complain about anything, I’m doing what I really love to do with people I like spending time with. It’s been

Margit and Rod of the Margit Sky Project play at a recent gig. | PHOTO ANNE TERWIEL

years of very hard work, but now it’s all falling into place.”

Gold-selling British indie-rock band One Night Only is sending off the night on the Clock Tower Stage at 7:30 p.m,

after Trooper’s performance.

The full concert weekend is general access so tickets are not required. No seating is provided and the shows will go on rain or shine.

EVENT > listings FRIDAY

AUGUST 4, 11, 18 & 25 MCC GRAVITY CUP

$15 gets two laps down the MCC track and a beer at Masas’s between 4 and 6 p.m.

Weekly prizes will be awarded to the fastest lap and a grand champion will be crowned at the end of the season. activities@sunpeaksresort.com

AUGUST 7 TO 11

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

Bring the whole family to Sun Peaks for a variety of free kid-friendly events. Events include guided tours, golf, swimming, cookie decorating, pony rides, bungee trampoline, music, Sun Peaks Fire Rescue open house, art classes, BC SPCA meet and greet, and music.

GREEN ART FESTIVAL SUMMER FILM

TROOPER CONCERT

FAMILY WEEKS

info@sunpeakstourism.com

SATURDAY

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY

GREEN ART FESTIVAL SUMMER FILM

8TH ANNUAL RETRO CONCERT WEEKEND

AUGUST 5

As part of the Green Art Festival the movie Exit Through the Gift Shop will have a free screeening after dark in the village clocktower square. info@sunpeakstourism.com

AUGUST 11 TO 13

Sun Peaks welcomes throwback tribute bands covering artists like Janis Joplin, The Eagles, David Bowie and Santana. events@sunpeakstourism.com

SUNDAY

SATURDAY

GREEN ART FESTIVAL SUMMER FILM

SUN PEAKS BALL HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

AUGUST 6

As part of the Green Art Festival the movie Salt of the Earth will have a free screeening after dark in the village clocktower square. info@sunpeakstourism.com

AUGUST 19

AUGUST 19

As part of the Green Art Festival the movie The Eagle Huntress will have a free screeening after dark in the village clocktower square. info@sunpeakstourism.com

SATURDAY

AUGUST 26

SUN PEAKS FIRE RESCUE FIRE TRUCK PULL

Test your might and support a good cause at the first ever truck pull. Teams of 8 to 10 get two chances to pull a fully loaded fire truck as fast as possible. Particpants aged 16+ register for $20 per person and all funds raised go to Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Village Day Lodge, an open kids fire truck pull will take place at 12:30.

AUGUST 26

The Margit Sky Project will open for legendary Trooper starting at 4 p.m. with Trooper taking the stage at 6 p.m. One Night Only will take over the Clock Tower stage at 7:30 p.m. The concerts are free and outdoors, they will go ahead rain or shine. info@sunpeakstourism.com

AUGUST 28 TO SEPTEMBER 1

SHRED HARD BACK TO SCHOOL

Join Dylan Sherrard for a week of riding instead of back to school stressing.

Sherrard will be joined by other pro riders to teach students aged 10 to 17 all aspects of freeridng. sportschool@sunpeaksresort.com

spfrtruckpull@gmail.com

The first ever Sun Peaks Ball Hockey tournament will have teams of three battling it out for top spot. $40 per team gets you at least three rounds of exciting playing with a referee. events@sunpeaksresort.com

sunpeaksnews.com/events Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

sunpeaksnews.com

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Corralling creativity

The renovated ranch house welcomes guests to the property. | PHOTO SPIN

by JEAN STRONG

C

utting hay, calving, branding and the myriad of duties that come with running a ranch are seldom thought of in conjunction with sculpture, painting and art parties.

But in the Heffley Louis Creek Valley, Ross Hill and Jane Irwin have created a place that melds the two. Horses graze amongst installations by artists from around the world and a hay barn doubles as a bright studio with views down the forested valley.

It’s fondly referred to as “Rancho Rasdoul.” The name stems from a nickname Hill and his friends have for the Kerrisdale area they’re from.

The couple live in Vancouver

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>> Ranch combines the wild with art where Irwin is heavily involved in the art community. She serves as co-vice-chair of the Vancouver Art Gallery, mentors artists and works from her church-turned-studio.

Hill is busy as the owner of three family stores, Blue Ruby, Hills of Kerrisdale and Hills Dry Goods.

But their time spent at the property nestled at the bottom of the valley is more laid back.

They purchased the ranch in 2004 as a place to stay while skiing at Sun Peaks. Over the

Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

A hay barn doubles a studio for Jane Irwin and other artists to work in. | PHOTO SPIN

years buildings were added, a pond was created and art installations were carefully placed both inside and out.

“We just love the land,” Irwin said. “We are interested in being a steward of the land.”

For Irwin that comes through her vegetable garden; her current project is pumpkins.

Hill’s focus is on what he describes as beautifying the land.

He created a marshy area that has since populated itself with fish and other creatures.

He said not having to run the ranch as a full time job frees up time for the other projects.

“We have the luxury of taking a bit more of an aesthetic perspective.”

A geodesic dome that has drawn attention from passers by was created as a workshop by two artists who live on part of the property, Kevin Schmidt and Holly Ward.

In 2013 they transformed their century old farmhouse into an art installation “EDM House” by covering the building in thousands of christmas lights that were programmed to electronic dance music produced

by Schmidt.

Their current project is the creation of an outdoor movie screen.

Hill and Irwin have immersed themselves in the valley’s community and have had many experiences they wouldn’t living in Vancouver.

Recently Hill helped a neighbour slaughter chickens and at other points cows and sheep have grazed in their fields.

Currently a herd of retired horses call a large pasture behind the house home.

A variety of humans have also called Rancho Rasdoul home over the years. After seeing the benefit her own artisan residence programs had on her art Irwin wanted to help others experience the same. They have welcomed many artists to use the ranch as a way to get away from their daily lives.

They can write, paint, sculpt or otherwise express themselves in a wild setting.

“It is pretty exceptional, having a working ranch and environment for wild animals and a creative environment,” Irwin said. “We like the idea of hav-

ing a rural setting but civilization is 15 minutes away.”

Civilization one hour away in Kamloops has also grown connections to the land. The couple support the Kamloops Art Gallery and have held events and supported artists locally.

The contrast between the land and the art being created and featured on it is striking.

But those who make a living on ranches in the valley have been receptive, Irwin said. Artists created a film and included neighbours and their animals and ranchers have taken the time to attend events.

They said the community has helped them to construct buildings, fix fences, and helped with challenges that come with a lack of knowledge from not living in the area for generations.

There are no concrete plans for the coming years at Rancho Rasdoul. They will continue to spend time out of the city, grow their garden, ski and explore the area while seeing what art or artist’s catch their interest and what other ideas grow from living on the land.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT East meets West on new album

by JEAN STRONG

M

ore than three years after Peter Ernst began working, his album is complete.

“It’s been a long and winding road,” he said. “There was times in between I wanted to give up.

“If it hadn’t been for the spirit of Sun Peaks I would have given up a long time ago.”

The album, “Happiness is Next in Line”, features 10 songs spanning country, rock and pop folk with a variety of influences from both Eastern and Western Canada.

Ernst’s full band has seven members and he said he and

his co-producer Sylvain Vallee loved using four to five rich voices on each song. Ernst himself plays guitar on the tracks and, of course, sings.

“In order to perform on that level I practise one hour every day singing. You need a strong voice.”

Though it was hard to choose he said the title track is his favourite of the bunch. All of the songs are connected by the theme of home, and inspired

by British Columbia.

“We’re all always on our way back home. B.C. has that for so many people,” he said.

Ernst moved to Sun Peaks from northern Germany in 1997.

“I was ready for change and Canada was the ideal place,”

he said.

A few tracks even reflect Sun Peaks, where Ernst’s music and performances have received a warm welcome.

“It’s a very receptive bunch of people here, very open to any kind of music.”

Being in the community has given him the opportunity to open for acts like Burton Cummings and 54-40, as well as perform at community events like the recent Patio Party.

With the album ready, Ernst is working to launch a radio and social media campaign and tour next year.

But he hasn’t stopped creating music in the meantime.

This month he heads to Toronto to work with a producer who has worked with Jason Mraz

Peter Ernst’s album is ready to release. | PHOTO SUPPLIED

and Tom Cochrane. He plans to release three more songs in addition to the album.

Later, he said he would like to begin writing songs for

young and upcoming artists and perform his music in eastern Canada.

“I feel good about it,” he said. “I’m excited.”

Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

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IN PHOTOS

Plenty of people took advantage of the helicopter tours over Sun Peaks offered by Okanagan Mountain Helicopters.

- Photo SPIN

Jean and Doug Strong enjoy an afternoon paddleboarding on a lake accessible by helicopter with Paddle Surfit.

- Photo SPIN

Peter Ernst, Tina Ernst, and Lisa Bentz perform at the 2017 Patio Party.

- Photo SPIN

Wildflowers were in full bloom this month and hikers took advantage of Sun Peaks’ many trails.

- Photo SPIN

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS TO BE EMAIL PHOTOS TO FEATURED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF SUN PEAKS INDEPENDENT NEWS EDITOR@SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM

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Jesse Roper performed at the 2017 Alpine Blossom Festival, entertaining and energizing crowds with his music.

- Photo SPIN

Racers from all over B.C. competed in the BC Cup and Downhill Championships held at Sun Peaks.

- Photos SPIN

Smoke from various fires around B.C. has been pushed into Sun Peaks and the area.

- Photo SPIN

Vol 15 Issue 7 July 7 — August 3

Devon Coyote from Kelowna opened the Alpine Blossom Festival’s evening of live music.

- Photo SPIN

OR

A few of the Summiteers of the sixth annual Reach the Peak hike.

- Photo SPIN

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS V14I7

Answers can be found in the next issue of SPIN EMPLOYMENT The Coast Sundance Lodge is hiring Room Attendants. Come join our awesome team! Experience an asset, but not required. Please send resume and cover letter to hr.sundance@coasthotels.com.

Epona Rise Retreat Center is hiring for the retreat management position for September 1st! You must have previous experience in hospitality and management, and have a strength in, and an eye for business development and being able to lead our innovative center in the community. We are an accommodation venue and retreat center that caters to both local and international guests. On site living is part of the position. To inquiry or apply please email hillary@epona-rise-retreats.com.

General Labourer Construction. Sun Peaks/ Heffley Lake.

Part time/ Full time. Immediately - Nov 15, 2017 +. $18 / hour. www.northrockhomes.ca. Call/ Text #1 604-626-7100.

Sun Peaks Lodge is hiring *Housekeeper for rooms/laundry and full time/part time dishwasher. Tel 250-578-7878 or email info@sunpeakslodge.com.

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>> SPORTS Dialing your DH dialect

by EMILY PERRINS

F

eeling a little out of loop when the conversation turns to mountain biking?

Never fear. This quick slang guide for everything mountain biking will keep you in the know when the talk turns to shredding the brown pow at Sun Peaks. Let’s start with the basics: ‘Downhill riding’ versus ‘downhill mountain biking’: Coasting 5 Mile road, compared to riding the fallline through steep rough terrain with obstacles like roots, rocks, jumps and other manmade features to add to the fun.

Brake bumps n. a series of ruts created by hard braking in tight or blind corners that follow a high speed area. With each rider bouncing over them, the ruts are gouged deeper. No one likes them.

Brap (alternative spelling: ‘BRAAAP’) n. the sound of tires hitting a berm at high speed. Purportedly, a sound that makes you go faster.

Berm n. a banked turn that can be ridden faster than a flat corner (eg. Route 66).

Enduro n. type of bicycle lightweight enough to ride uphill, but with enough suspension to also ride downhill; adj. a type of riding whereby the rider habitually ignores the handy chairlift and instead

uses pedal power to reach the start of the downhill trails.

‘Flowy’ versus ‘techy’: a faster, smoother ride with more speed-friendly obstacles like shaped berms and jumps (eg.

Ain’t No Scrub), as opposed to a more ‘technical’ trail that is uneven or tight (eg. Cat Trax).

Freeride n. a heavier bike with full suspension; adj. a more creative riding style with an emphasis on performing stunts and tricks, rather than simply hurtling downhill fast.

Hero dirt n. as it sounds.

Dirt that produces a sense of invincibility in the rider by the traction being so unbelievably good. Must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

Manual n. raising the front end of the bike to roll a trail

feature with only the back tire. Essentially a wheelie with more forward momentum.

Roost n. the particularly photogenic dirt kicked up behind a rider through a corner.

‘Scrub’ versus ‘whip’: Seemingly identical moves, which involve swinging a bike sideways underneath you in the air. Both can be done off jumps, though ‘scrubbing’ helps maintain more control and speed upon landing by keeping as low as possible to the ground while performing the maneuver.

Shralp v. aggressive riding.

Analogous to ‘shred’.

Swirly adv. riding that teases the edge of control. Riding the back brakes fast around wet, greasy or dusty dry cor-

ners can get swirly!

Tacky adj. dirt that is moist enough to enable sweet traction with your bike. The happy medium between dusty dry and saturated slick.

Taco n. what your bicycle wheel might resemble after a particularly dramatic bail.

(Not to be confused with ‘potato chip’, referring to merely a massive dent in a wheel.)

Whistler Rules interj. A figurative term; n. the standards set by Whistler Mountain Bike Park that apply to the building and classification of mountain biking trails and features. Similar to winter, the difficulty levels progress through ‘green’, ‘blue’, ‘black’ and ‘double black/expert unlimited.’

Ride on!

Building a new boarder cross team

by AIDAN GRETHER

A

ndy Armstrong has been a snowboard instructor at Sun Peaks for nearly ten years, but has also coached snowboard cross to riders looking for something different than freestyle competitions.

He said he believes Sun Peaks currently has enough momentum to kick off something new and exciting for the mountain.

“We have a lot of excellent ski teams here that are well established racers around B.C., so why can’t we also have a snowboarding side?”

Snowboard cross competitions have steadily grown in popularity, alongside ski cross. What was once a niche X-Games event made its Olympic debut at Sochi 2014.

Last season, Armstrong coached Maddie Hampton,

who previously trained and competed in snowboard cross events at Whistler. Since moving to Sun Peaks, Maddie and her mother Allison have worked with Armstrong, who will be head coach of the team, to get the approvals needed from Sun Peaks Resort LLP. Armstrong is optimistic about the future of the team.

“We have four kids confirmed and really eager to go. To make a team that really has a shot, we need at least six. If we get the go ahead, things are looking really bright for us.”

The fledgling organization is also on the lookout for potential sponsors to help get them off the ground.

Armstrong knows the potential of snowboard cross teams, having helped coach the Kamloops First Nations team to a podium finish at Big White’s Like Me Snowboard Cross provincial finals in March of 2016.

The 2018 B.C. Winter

Maddie Hampton competes last winter. | PHOTO JIM HALL

Games, held in Kamloops and Sun Peaks, are set to be the first B.C. Games to involve snowboarding, including a snowboard cross competition for riders aged 13 and 14, and Armstrong is keen to have local representation on the track.

“A lot of the locals want to see other local kids thrive, so we’ve got to give them all the opportunities we can.”

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>> SPORTS Racers trade skis for bikes >> Dryland training made fun

by JEAN STRONG

R

acers for the Sun Peaks Alpine Club (SPAC) had the chance to switch skis for bikes during a three day mountain bike camp in July.

The group started each day biking through parks in Kamloops before taking trails to a new afternoon activity. They were able to try mixed martial arts, yoga and swimming.

“The campers and coaches use only their bikes to power themselves to each of our activities throughout the day.

They work so hard each day,

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but we get to enjoy everything the town has to offer,” said SPAC coach Montana Molyneux.

“It’s such a great camp, as a coach, you can see the kids getting more comfortable on their bikes and learning about being responsible for their own decisions and belongings. It also connects us with the community by learning how to bike through town to go swimming, biking, and experience all the other activities that Kamloops has to offer.”

Molyneux said dryland training in the off season is important to promote physical activity and literacy as well as have fun.

“We use mountain biking as a summer activity because it develops so many skills that are transferable into skiing and ski racing.

“It can be hard or challenging but in the end can introduce or develop the necessary skills to be athletic.”

Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31

Mixed martial arts were part of the training. | PHOTOS SUPPLIED

The group spent time in parks around Kamloops to work on their fitness for ski season.

MOUNTAIN NEWS Mountain Town News

by BY ALLEN BEST ALLEN.BEST@COMCAST.NET MOUNTAINTOWNNEWS.NET

Sales unrivaled since the first half of 2008 VAIL, Colo. – Boosted by the $145 million sale of the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, total real estate sales in Eagle County surpassed $1 billion in the first half of 2017. That level of sales has not been reached since the first half of 2008, notes the Vail Daily.

In September 2008, sales dramatically plunged amid an economic meltdown that had the two presidential candidates—Barack Obama and John McCain —suspending their campaigns to scurry to Washington, DC. In California, home sales around Lake Tahoe exceeded $500 million in the first six months of the year. The Tahoe Daily News makes no comparisons of this year’s sales figures to those of the pre-recession period.

Facebook founder gets Glacier’s climate story WHITEFISH, Mont.– Facebook founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg toured Glacier National Park in July but he did not meet with the park superintendent, Jeff Mow, nor Daniel Fagre, an ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. Fagre has made a name for himself as a climate change and glacier scientist.

The original plan was for the two to accompany Zuckerberg. Officials in Washington, DC, however, decided it was better to assign rank-and-file park rangers, reports the Hungry Horse News.

A spokeswoman for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke—who is from nearby Whitefish—de-

nied that Mow and Fagre were pulled from the tour because of the climate change debate.

The move was motivated by an effort to spend tax dollars responsibly, said Heather Swift, the spokeswoman.

Zuckerberg seems to have got the key message just fine without the top-level guidance.

“In a couple of decades, there may not be any glaciers left in the park at all,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Meanwhile, the Outdoor Retailer has had its last trade show in Salt Lake City. It will move to Denver next year. Organizers made the move after Utah politicians, who are uniformly Republican, tried to block designation of the Bears Ears National Monument and otherwise pushed for state takeover of federal lands within the state.

Among those speaking at the trade show was Sally Jewell, Zinke’s predecessor as Interior secretary. According to an AP account, Jewell blasted President Donald Trump’s review of the designation of two dozen national monuments, accusing him of “treating the monuments like they are contestants on a game show.”

She was chief executive at outdoor retailer REI before serving four years as Interior Chief under President Barack Obama.

Aspen tries to get handle on water needs in 2065 ASPEN, Colo. – Aspen continues to evaluate how much water the city will need 50 years from now, a time when accumulating greenhouse gas emissions will likely have more clearly changed the climate.

Aspen Journalism reported several months ago that city officials have maintained water rights for small dams on

Castle and Maroon Creeks for about 50 years. If built, the dams could back up water into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area.

Why would the city want to do that? One scenario is increased demand caused by population growth.

Aspen continues to grow, if far more slowly than during the 1960s, when the plan was conceived.

Climate change also poses great uncertainty. To what extent will rising temperatures cause earlier runoff and longer, hotter summers—and hence more need for stored water? About 60 per cent of Aspen’s municipal water use goes to outdoor use, for lawns and a golf course.

Aspen Journalism reported that economist George Oamek of Headwaters Corp. finds a range of risks. Much depends upon whether demand increases but also how much the climate warms. But in all cases, it appears Aspen will be hardpressed to leave enough water in the two creeks to meet targeted instream environmental flows while also meeting all municipal water demands.

Storage needs also depend upon whether the city is willing to let its golf course dry up in the case of a deep, extended drought.

City officials have continued to maintain that some form of increased storage will be needed.

Stepping back from their original idea, they are now pursuing the idea of new reservoirs along Woody Creek, well away from wilderness boundaries.

original ski area, Howelsen Hill.

Howelsen is located across the Yampa River and a few blocks from the downtown shopping district along Lincoln Avenue. The larger and relatively newer ski area is located several miles away.

The smaller ski area has been operating in the red. Now comes a plan to boost summer revenues as the result of investments of around $7.5 million. They include: ziplines, a tubing hill, and a 200-seat restaurant with an outdoor deck. Also, a new chairlift to give mountain bikers easier access to Emerald Mountain, on which Howelsen is located.

Snow King, the ski area in Jackson, Wyo., has more vertical and is privately owned but in almost every other way compares with Howelsen Hill. It has also set out to reinvent itself by expanding summer attractions.

Steamboat Today said municipal officials continue to evaluate turning over operation of Howelsen to the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp., operator of the bigger ski area. That larger ski area has now been formally purchased from Intrawest by a new partnership of the Aspen

Skiing Co. and KSL Capital Partners. Consummation of the sale was announced July 31.

Howelsen Hill is the oldest continuously operating ski area in Colorado. Olympic ski jumper Carl Howelsen, a Norwegian immigrant, founded the ski area in 1914, building several jumps.

Dozens of Olympians have followed him up that hill. Uphill transportation began in 1931.

The larger ski area began operations in 1961.

Habitat for Humanity aims for zero-waste JACKSON, Wyo.– The concept of zero waste is being pursued in a Habitat for Humanity construction site in Jackson Hole.

That goal jibes nicely with the policy adopted by Teton County in 2014. The county manages to divert 37 to 38 per cent of its waste now, but an initiative called “Road to Zero Waste” sets a goal of 60 per cent waste diversion by 2030.

The construction and demolition sector is responsible for a third of all municipal waste, notes the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

Can summer revive the first Steamboat ski area?

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.

– Elected officials in Steamboat Springs this month were scheduled to hear a vision for how to boost summer use of the city’s

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sunpeaksnews.com

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Serving Sun Peaks and area since 1995

ALPINE RESORT REALTY

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

EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED

SOLD

NEW LISTING

4108 SUNDANCE DRIVE | 1,479,000

29 THE PEAKS | $364,500

The architect got it right from street appeal to interior design. Prestigious Sundance Estates 4 bedroom home plus 2 bedroom suite with separate entrance, main floor with an open design, large great room, floor to ceiling rock fireplace, custom kitchen and dining room, all complimented by great window packages and French doors to patios side and back. Spec levels and finishing details are exemplary. Upper floor is master bedroom with 6 piece ensuite, walk-in closet and office/den. The property is fully landscaped with private back yard and oversized garage. Offered largely furnished, GST paid.

This bright 2 bedroom townhouse is an end unit, and has convenient access to the Sun Peaks Village and chairlifts. The main floor living area features a central kitchen with pantry, dining room, spacious living room with gas fireplace, two outdoor decks and full bath. This home is ideal for gathering family and friends and provides a comfortable open space with private garage and extra storage. Upstairs are two bedrooms with a shared bath and laundry. This townhouse has views of some of the ski runs on Mt. Morrissey and is offered furnished and GST paid.

The Kookaburra Lodge sets a new accommodation benchmark at Sun Peaks Resort with concrete construction, hard wearing yet luxurious finishes and high clearance underground parking. This centrally located intimate one bedroom condo with open design is well appointed with full kitchen and granite countertops, electric fireplace, steam shower, in suite laundry, ski and snowboard storage and comes fully furnished. Enjoy this great ski-in, ski-out location in the village with convenient access to restaurants and shopping.

GST is applicable.

2427 FAIRWAYS DRIVE | $214,900

2577 MOUNTAINVIEW DRIVE | $ 189,900

5429 LOOKOUT RIDGE PLACE | $240,000

Gently sloping view lot backing onto forested ski terrain at the base of Mt. Morrisey with direct ski in access. Fully serviced lot with stunning mountain views and easy access with just a short walk to the village & chairlift. The Sun Peaks Golf Course is located across the street and the proposed West Morrisey chairlift is just steps away. Design your custom mountain home at your convenience, since there is no time line or pressure to build.

Zoning also allows a 2 bedroom legal suite. Sun Peaks is BC Interiorʼs largest all season resort and is a growing mountain resort municipality.

This is one of Sun Peaksʼ largest residential building lots conveniently located at the base of Mt. Morrisey with great ski-in access and stunning mountain views. This quiet cul-de-sac location is very private backing onto forested ski terrain and offers a great family friendly environment. With no time limit to build out you can relax & take time to plan your perfect mountain getaway. Mountain View Drive has design guidelines in place and the residential zoning allows for a two bedroom revenue suite. Underground services are installed to the lot line and GST is not applicable.

This large lot located at 5429 Lookout Ridge offers fabulous panoramic mountain and valley views.

The property is situated in the exclusive neighbourhood of Lookout Ridge! Convenient to all of the village amenities, this residential subdivision is surrounded by a 18 hole golf course & fabulous ski runs – what more could you ask for? Lookout Ridge is the first single-family subdivision in Sun Peaks Resortʼs East Village. These lots are south and west-facing which provide fantastic sun exposure and the subdivision features ski-in, ski-out convenience with a new skier overpass that was constructed solely to service Lookout Ridge. Zoning also allows for a secondary residence to be built.

202 KOOKABURRA LODGE | $250,000

NEW LISTING

SOLD

NEW LISTING

68 SETTLER’S CROSSING | $404,900 This upper level 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom immaculate and well-appointed condo has alluring features such as granite countertops, hardwood upgrade, vaulted ceiling and an exceptional window package, providing great ski-in/ski-out access, covered deck, 1 secure underground parking space and a short stroll to the village. This development is zoned for nightly rentals so you can easily generate some income when youʼre not here. This great condo is offered fully furnished with hot tub and GST paid. A home at Settlerʼs Crossing will put you at the heart of all Sun Peaks has to offer.

NEW LISTING

234/236 CAHILTY HOTEL & SUITES

| $119,900

Imagine yourself at Sun Peaks this season...affordable slope side condo in Nancy Greeneʼs Cahilty Hotel & Suites with south facing views Mt. Morrisey and all the comforts of home. Featuring a full kitchen with cozy fireplace and sleeps 6 comfortably with two full bathrooms. Unrestricted and unlimited owner use gives you the flexibility for your own personal enjoyment plus includes the convenience of a professional in-house management team looking after rentals when youʼre not there.

Revenue to offset expenses always helps... what are you waiting for? Offered fully furnished; GST applicable.

SOLD 412 COAST SUNDANCE LODGE | $26,900 This deluxe studio suite comes with an efficiency kitchen, sleeps 4 comfortably, where one can enjoy the splendid mountain views from your room or relax in front of your cozy corner fireplace after a day on the slopes. Custom finished pine furniture and cabinetry compliment this slope side studio with high ceiling. This condo is being sold fully furnished and offers the essentials of home. Owners have a generous 180 days per year personal use and you can easily rent the suite out and not have to worry about a thing. There is secure underground parking, an outdoor hot tub as well as exercise room for your enjoyment.

SOLD

NEW LISTING

70 SETTLER’S CROSSING | $374,000 This welcoming home is an upper level 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with beautiful features including granite countertops, S/S appliances, vaulted ceiling and soaring windows. Offers great ski-in/skiout access, covered deck, 2 secure underground parking spaces and you are only a 7 minute walk to the village. This development is zoned for nightly rentals. Settlerʼs Crossing will put you at the heart of all Sun Peaks has to offer. This is the kind of place that brings families together to create a lifetime of memories and traditions. Offered fully furnished; GST Paid.

7372 CAHILTY CRESENT | $164,900 This is a fantastic building lot situated on the the upper road in Whitecroft Village, with mountain and valley views. This family friendly community of Whitecroft is just 5 minutes from Sun Peaks Resort, 5 minutes to pristine Heffley Lake and 35 minutes to Kamloops. The sloping 1.58 acre lot is partially cleared and requires minimal site preparation for your single family home or duplex.

This growing community is close to crown land, lakes and hiking/biking trails with community water system, fire protection, high speed internet, cable, hydro and telephone services available.

6071 LAKE BAY ROAD | $1,075,000 Find solitude in this beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 bath custom lakefront home with spacious family room & games room. The open kitchen, dining room & living room features a beautiful wood burning rock fireplace & opens up to your sundeck overlooking the lake.

This year round home is situated on .74 acres with 103ʼ of low-bank waterfront & your own private docks. There is a large 2 car garage with extra storage and a detached 2 bedroom vintage guest cabin in the back yard.

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Vol 15 Issue 8 August 4 — August 31