Volume 17 Issue 10

YOURS FREE TO TAKE HOME

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 10

OCTOBER 4 — NOVEMBER 1, 2019

SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM // @SUNPEAKSNEWS

JOB OPPORTUNITY’S AT

FEDERAL CANDIDATES COME TO SUN PEAKS

STAFFING WOES IN THE VILLAGE PAGE 6

PAGE 13

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Shaking it up Keeping the good times going in West Village JEAN STRONG

AT THE END OF AUGUST BOTTOMS BAR & GRILL

HOSTED A WAKE FOR MARTY CIESIOLKA. MEMORIES WERE SHARED AND FLOWERS, PHOTOS AND QUOTES DECORATED TABLES. Ciesiolka hadn’t died, but

after ten years behind the bar he was moving on.

The 36-year-old had been a staple at the restaurant for years, pouring countless shots after the bell rang and serving both tourists and locals at

many a legendary Sun Peaks party. Now he will manage 5-Forty Café and help open and manage a brand new restaurant in the west village.

Before becoming a Sun Peaks resident in 2006 and a permanent resident in Canada in 2016, Ciesiolka grew up on a peanut farm in north west New South Wales, Aus. He left his home country to live in

Scotland and travel throughout the United Kingdom. In a hostel and not ready to go home just yet he met someone who suggested a Canadian visa and a job in Sun Peaks.

“I did a winter, stayed for the summer and that was it,” he said.

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LOCAL NEWS

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Phone | 250.578.0276 For comments, questions, concerns email: editor@sunpeaksnews.com Email your classifieds or ads to: sales@sunpeaksnews.com

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Brandi Schier

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CONTINUED FROM COVER He bartended at Masa’s Bar + Grill for a few years then added shifts at Bottoms during the day before switching entirely.

“It was awesome to work there but very taxing,” he said.

Years of long nights, events and even laying flooring and building the bar followed.

His face became a highlight behind the bar for those here for a season or for life.

Now he’s using those experiences with his partners at 5 Forty and their new endeavour, The Magic Cattleguard, which will open early November in Peaks West.

The name, a reference to a now-removed cattle guard at the entrance to the village where the snow magically seemed to fall heavier and

stay longer, is a nod to the local market they hope to serve.

“It will have a full bar and full kitchen with sit down service but still lots of to-go food,” Ciesiolka said.

He added with more residents and fewer tourists currently staying in that area they hope to become a pub for the neighbourhood.

The move is bittersweet for the skier, but puts him one step closer to his goal of having more autonomy.

“I always wanted to run my own place, I was waiting for the opportunity...I’ve seen how much this place (Sun Peaks) has (grown),” he said.

“If we can invest here now it’s worth it.

“It feels good to be moving on but it’s definitely bittersweet. Especially those crazy days at Bottoms when

you’re getting hammered back there working with all the other bartenders.”

That step forward wouldn’t be possible without the support he’s received from his previous employers and the wider community through the years.

“As a community, they’re the best. Everyone is so supportive. Living here gives you a different perspective and I’m extremely lucky to be here. Obviously I wouldn’t be the same person if I hadn’t been.

“Working with Nathan and Brian I learned so much, we were always moving forward.

I definitely want to be the face of it. You want people to know who you are and treat people like you want to be treated.

You put that into the business and it’s reciprocated back, I learned that from them.”

As part of treating people well, and giving back to a place that’s helped shaped him, Ciesiolka has plans to get involved with causes he supports.

He’d like to start with the firehall. Not only is Sun Peaks Fire Rescue right next door, he said, they helped him after he injured himself skateboarding.

With skateboarding a part of his life and also connected to 5 Forty, he plans to bring back Skate Park Pints, a fundraiser for the future build. He’d also like to back the Bluebird Day Fund through the businesses.

He and his partners have big plans and Ciesiolka knows it will be years of hard work but he’s planning on keeping some shifts behind the new bar.

“I’m excited. Terrified, but also really really excited.”

in the SUV were transported by ground and air ambulance to medical help and remain in critical condition.

Police identified Bryant Keck, 19 of Sanford, Col., who died of his injuries on Sept.

17, and Dallin Thompson, 19 of Sahurita, Ariz. as the occupants.

Traffic was stopped in both directions while first responders attended to the scene.

RCMP INVESTIGATE HIGHWAY CRASH GRAPHIC ARTIST Frankie Knight

frankie@sunpeaksnews.com

RCMP are investigating a two vehicle collision on Highway 5 at the Old Highway 5 intersection.

Just before 6 p.m. on Sept.

13 an SUV with two occupants

was entering the highway when a northbound pickup truck with two occupants collided with the SUV. The driver and passenger

EDITOR Jean Strong

NEW THIS WINTER

jean@sunpeaksnews.com

Nestled on the mountainside ‘Peaks West’ takes you back to where it all began with a fresh, contemporary twist. Located between the Sun Peaks Firehall and the Burfield Chairlift base, this vibrant community welcomes you with the modern conveniences you need.

REPORTER Nikki Fredikson

nikki@sunpeaksnews.com

CONTRIBUTORS Ron Betts Mel Rothenburger

OPENING SOON!

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

COMMERCIAL SPACES AVAILABLE DARCY@MERANTI.CA

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VOL 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 4 - NOVEMBER 1

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VOL 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 4 - NOVEMBER 1

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LOCAL NEWS

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Market to open in West Village Ohana to offer fresh food, prepped meals JEAN STRONG

AS PEAKS WEST NEARS COMPLETION IN THE WEST VILLAGE, MARKING THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE FOR YEARS, THE COUNTDOWN IS OWN FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PREPARING TO OPEN UP SHOP. One new owner, Bobbe Lyall, is putting the finishing touches on plans for a new market, Ohana.

Named after a polynesian word that loosely translates to family and the family one choses, Lyall was inspired by seeing people create families for themselves at Sun Peaks since she moved to the community in 1998.

The store was described by Lyall as a deli and take home meal market.

“People can pick up food for supper that night and it’s already prepared,” she said.

“Soups, salads, marinated proteins, deli meats ...as much as we can get locally and as low waste as we can.”

The market will also offer

bulk foods, allowing people to buy a few tablespoons of one ingredient or a few cups of another. Lyall will also sell things like cakes, meat pies and marinated kebabs. The 1,400 square foot space will be tight with kitchen and store front so she’s carefully selecting products and working with producers who can make food off site.

With a food and beverage background and recent experience in the property management business, Lyall saw things that inspired her business idea for a long time.

“You go into units after checkout and there is so much wasted leftover food in units,” she said. “Being in property management it actually solidified (for me) that Sun Peaks needed a different kind of market. People would buy a jar of mayo and only use two tablespoons, now they can buy just two tablespoons.

“Seeing how much waste the tourism industry produces I didn’t want to contribute to that.”

Lyall said for visitors she aims to be low waste and environmentally friendly; residents will have the

IMPAIRED DRIVING LIKELY CAUSE OF VILLAGE CRASH

BOBBE LYALL WILL OFFER A SELECTION OF DELI PRODUCTS IN THE NEW STORE. Photo SPIN

option of being zero waste by bringing their own containers.

In the future, she added, she

READ MORE BRIEFS AT sunpeaksnews.com

Kamloops RCMP, Sun Peaks Fire Rescue and the BC Ambulance Service responded to a single vehicle crash in the early ho u r s of S u nd ay, S e p t . 1 5 in Sun Peaks.

A ve h i c l e wa s fo u n d o n its side in front of the

Tr a p p e r s L a n d i n g c o m p l e x in the East Village.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was uninjured but suspected to be impaired and was served an immediate roadside prohibition by RCMP.

would like to deliver orders to homes and develop online ordering. She would also like to continue to build local connections for produce, meat and other products.

“Ninety per cent of our protein is from between Whitecroft and Heffley Creek. I’ve been researching for a long time...I’ve connected with people from the market.”

Currently Lyall is aiming to open by Christmas 2019.

“I love the idea of a high end service in a market environment.

I always thought it would be

somewhere with residential above it. It’s very city, I always wanted it where it was high density.”

With three children and a puppy at home, Lyall will be busy opening Ohana for the winter, but her eyes light up when she describes her vision.

“I’m looking forward to it. I love food and beverage, being in food and beverage just gets my juices flowing.

“It will be fresh, local, have good energy, colours and music...I really feel like there’s enough room in Sun Peaks to have a little diversity.”

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LOCAL NEWS

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School’s in for winter Students back in classes JEAN STRONG

STUDENTS AT SUN PEAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARE BACK TO WALKING UP THE BUNNY HILL TO GET TO CL ASS IN THE MORNINGS. Class started this September with 99 students registered from Kindergarten to grade seven.

Principal Mike Johnson said that number was down from September 2018 but up from the end of the last school year.

“There’s no real surprise there. We’re meeting lots of new families and it’s great to get to know them.

It’s also great to see the other families at Sun Peaks again.”

This year students will be taught by a team of teachers continuing from years past.

Emily Fell and Cassie Delaney will take a Kindergarten through grade two class in one building.

Elsewhere Amber Grey will return from a year off

to teach grades six and seven. Jillian Schmalz and Jeremy Banks are taking grades four, five and six.

In the classroom teachers are continuing with schoolwide goals of numeracy and social responsibility, Johnson said.

To help meet this goal they hosted a math night for the district’s math coordinator to show parents what their children are learning and how they can support them at home.

Outside of class students are also jumping back into extra curriculars.

Cross country running and volleyball teams have started up and pupils are looking forward to district wide activities like Battle of the Books and a Heritage Fair.

Johnson said the bigger scale activities are important to connect the school with the wider community.

“It’s knowing you’re a part of a bigger community and it gives you a sense of pride in your own community and helps develop pride in

their own school.

“I’m really excited about it (this school year),” Johnson said. “I’m really looking forward to it and I think it will be an awesome year.”

Down the hill at the Sun Peaks Secondary Academy (SPSA), 30 students are studying from grades eight to 12.

Maria Cannon, president of the Sun Peaks Education Society (SPES), said classes are back in session with two teachers onsite everyday.

The teaching staff is comprised of one full time teacher from the school district and two part time teachers and one teaching administrator funded by SPES. Cannon said this year the school is working toward expanding outdoor education programming and SPES will continue to focus heavily on fundraising.

“We appreciate it so much because it helps us with the cost to run the SPSA. It’s over $100,000 a year to run and the community support is key.”

Braspenning to lead Sun Peaks Grand as new GM NIKKI FREDRIKSON

AS HE SETTLES INTO HIS NEW ROLE AS GENERAL MANAGER OF THE SUN PEAKS GRAND HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTRE, PATRICK BRASPENNING SAID HE IS EXCITED TO PUT DOWN ROOTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORK ON MAKING THE PROPERTY AN INDUSTRY LEADER. “It’s a lifestyle choice,” he said. “Where work balance and pleasure balance is very important. Sun Peaks Grand, I think, is one of the best properties in B.C. I think it has a lot of potential (there are) very few skiin and ski-out resorts.

That’s something I really appreciate.”

He moved to the community a month before

starting at the hotel to allow himself time to explore his new home.

“It’s amazing. From the community itself, people are pleasant, people are warm, people are very inviting and open to give ideas from an offering as a resort. I think the trails and the services that we do are good,” said Braspenning. “You can still have the feeling that you’re in nature and you’re not walking in a traffic jam on the hiking trails, I think that’s very good.”

Born in Holland, he moved to Canada 18 years ago after falling in love with the country while on vacation.

Over the years Braspenning has worked across the world from running a sailing company in the Caribean to working at a ski resort in Georgia, managing restaurants in Holland, to working

as the general manager at heliskiing and fishing resorts in British Columbia.

“I’m a coach, mentor, inspirator. I like to surround myself with people who are knowledgeable and competent. I like to see the big picture, and I create a team that is able to deliver the product that we need in order to be successful,” he said.

He said he aims to create a company culture that makes the hotel an employer of choice.

Braspenning added this winter he’ll focus on experiencing how the season runs with the ultimate goal of delivering the best hotel experience possible and becoming a leader in the industry.

Having spent the past eight years working as an independent consultant and moving around, he’s excited to be putting roots down

in Sun Peaks. As an avid outdoorsman, Braspenning has already been hiking, mountain biking and golfing and is excited to hit the slopes and transition from snowboarding to skiing this season.

“We’re privileged to have

this in our backyard...I feel privileged to live here and to be able to do all these things on a regular basis,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everybody and looking forward to becoming an active member of this amazing community.”

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Everyday Located on the ground floor of the Residences at Sun Peaks Grand

3475 Westsyde Rd., Kamloops, BC V2B 8C5

250.578.2414

VOL 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 4 - NOVEMBER 1

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LOCAL NEWS

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Local businesses feeling accommodation crunch NIKKI FREDRIKSON

AS THE WINTER SEASON APPROACHES, BUSINESS OWNERS ARE FACING THE RECURRING ISSUE OF FINDING SUITABLE STAFF WITH SECURE ACCOMMODATION. FOR BOTTOMS BAR & GRILL OWNER NATHAN CROSS, THE ONGOING STRUGGLE IS IMPACTING THE WAY HE’S PREPARING FOR THE BUSY SEASON. “Right now, we haven’t planned our winter menu because we have to see how our staffing is going to look in order to move forward. I’m not going to plan a big elaborate menu if I end up with three cooks,” said Cross.

Looking to double his team for the winter season, Cross said the issue is more finding long-term accommodation rather than people willing to work in the village.

“That seems to be all of our (restaurants’) problems,” he said. “We get a resume, we ask if they have a place to live, they say no, and that’s as far as it goes. We look around for them as best we can, but it’s tough.”

Cross feels there’s not much businesses can do to

combat the issue and feels a rise of short-term rentals is a contributing factor, as well as increased permanent residents in the community.

“I feel like if there were an abundance of accommodation out there it would be a little bit easier for all of us.”

On top of the lack of accommodation issue, Cross and the team at Bottoms are finding it increasingly difficult to fill their line cook positions. Advertising available positions Cross said he’s had a great response for every other position but can’t seem to spark interest in the kitchen position.

“If I post for a dishwasher I’ll get some interest for sure with in experienced Australians that just want to get a paycheque for the winter, but finding people that have any type of experience and are willing to be a busy line cook is seeming very difficult,” he said.

Explaining the lack of line cooks seems to be a shift in the industry, he holds a rental house for employees willing to work in the kitchen as an incentive to join the team, but with only four beds available it doesn’t go far.

“I do try to reserve it for

BOTTOMS BAR & GRILL SITS NEAR THE END OF THE VILLAGE. File Photo

exactly what I’m lacking, so for experienced line cooks. It’s tough we’re not in a position to offer staff housing. With how the market has gone up here and how much we would need it’s not something we’ve ever been able to offer,” said Cross.

With not much clarity on how to combat the larger issues, Cross is focusing

on creating a positive work environment and incentives for long-term staff to have a work-life balance.

“I don’t think there’s much we can do right now but we just have to survive as best we can and see if it rights itself.”

SUN PEAKS SKATE PARK CONCEPT

DANCE THE FALL AWAY

Artist Rendering by Ben Morris

The annual fa vo u r i te B l u e b i r d B a l l i s s e t to t a ke p l a c e t h i s ye a r o n N ov. 9 a t B o t to m s B a r & G r i l l .

T h i s ye a r ’s t h e m e w i l l b e Black Gold with popular band S h r e d Ke l l y e n te r t a i n i n g t h e c r owd a l l n i g h t l o n g .

Ti c ke t s s o l d o u t a f te r 4 8 hours.

A l l m o n ey r a i s e d f r o m the eve n t supports the B l u e b i r d D a y Fu n d . T h e i r p r o g r a m s i n c l u d e ex p e n s e r e i m b u r s e m e n t fo r a t h l e te s , sports m e n to r s h i p with t h e B oys a n d G i r l s C l u b o f Kamloops and park training s e ss i o n s .

O n o p e n i n g d a y, N ov. 2 3 , t h e F i r e f i g h te r s’ S o c i e t y w i l l host their annual gala.

T h i s ye a r t h e fo r m a l eve n t w i l l b e u p d a te d w i t h a d d e d

6

e n te r t a i n m e n t a n d a n o n l i n e b o o k i n g sys te m.

T h e t wo c a u s e s c h o s e n to b e n e f i t t h i s ye a r a r e t h e S u n Pe a k s E d u c a t i o n S o c i e t y a n d S u n Pe a k s S k a te P a r k Fo u n d a t i o n.

VOL 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 4 - NOVEMBER 1

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Our mission is to plan, design, and build a world class skate park for the Sun Peaks community.

We are dedicated to creating a new public use multi-season recreational entity in our community.

The skate park is fully supported by the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality mayor and council who have set aside $50,000 in matching funds in addition to allocating land to the project.

We are also a beneficiary of this year’s Sun Peaks Firefighters’ Society Annual Gala.

Volunteers needed for the evening of Nov. 23 and beyond!

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @sunpeaksnews

SunPeaksSkateParkFoundation@gmail.com Facebook.com/SunPeaksSkatePark

COMMUNITY

SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM // @SUNPEAKSNEWS

COLUMNIST VIEWS provided an additional one-time transfer of $2.2 billion in gas tax funds to address short-term needs.

That basically doubled the allotment for the current year, which is a good thing, but the real need is in making the program more flexible. Eligibility criteria, including the definition of “public benefit,” should be reviewed annually, not every few years.

On the subject of drinking water, the desperate need of rural communities for reliable, clean drinking water was finally recognized this year with a program that removes the barrier of these small communities having to come up with a third of the funding under infrastructure programs.

It has simply been impossible for communities of a couple of hundred or a few hundred people to afford multi-milliondollar water systems. The new Rural and Northern Communities grant program under the federal

A small-community wish list for the federal election 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.

AS THE FEDERAL ELECTION DRAWS EVER CLOSER, CANADIANS ARE MAKING THEIR LISTS AND CHECKING THEM TWICE, HOPING THE NEXT GOVERNMENT WILL DELIVER SOMETHING GOOD AFTER ELECTION DAY. It’s a time to watch and listen to what each party and candidate has to say about priorities. I have a few wishes of my own from a regional district perspective.

One is gas tax funding.

While allotments to local governments are generous, the criteria for eligibility remain badly in need of revision. They need to be expanded to lend a helping hand to rural fire departments and to rural strata councils, for example.

Gas tax allotments to local governments have helped to fund important community projects such as the Sun Peaks Centre, the Sun Peaks Health Centre, and upgrades to the Heffley Creek Hall. But such things as fire trucks and new fire halls aren’t eligible, making it very hard for small communities to establish fire protection.

This year’s federal budget

Infrastructure Program provides for 100 per cent funding—60 per cent from the federal government and 40 per cent from B.C. But here’s the hitch. The TNRD has an application in for a $4.95-million grant to build a membrane filtration plant for the Pritchard community water system.

This a major ask but that’s what filtration systems cost these days, and the concern is that there will be much more demand on the program than it can meet.

Another problem is that while the application was submitted in December, we still haven’t been given a decision, and likely won’t be until at least the end of the year due to the federal election.

Meanwhile, costs continue to rise. It shouldn’t take a year to get an application through the system.

Another on the list is the expansion of mobile phone service. This is a joint federal and provincial responsibility, and there

have been plenty of promises but not nearly enough action.

Dead zones for cell service are an issue all around the province. Two local ones are the Heffley valley and Pinantan area.

Heffley residents have fought long and hard for cell services but it shouldn’t be so difficult.

In my view, phone companies should be required by legislation to file action plans for the expansion of cell service, which is essential these days for business services and emergencies.

Unfortunately, a lot of the focus has been on expanding Internet service, which is also crucial, but mobile phone service plays second fiddle with occasional announcements that sound good but don’t deliver to communities off the major corridors.

So, these are things I’ll be looking at closely to compare the platforms of the various federal parties.

I’m okay, are you okay?

RON BETTS RESIDENT SKI WRITER ron@sunpeaksnews.com

A native of Cape Breton Island, Ron Betts has called Sun Peaks his home mountain since 2008. Ron splits his winter between guiding heliskiers in the central Monashees and working with the Sun Peaks Ski School, he is a frequent contributor to Ski Canada Magazine.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY, THE HOMELESS POPULATION IN KAMLOOPS IS ESTIMATED TO BE 190 PEOPLE; THAT NUMBER IS UP FROM 100 IN THE PREVIOUS SURVEY TWO YEARS AGO. GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT THE ACTUAL NUMBER IS MUCH HIGHER THAN REPORTED BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE COULD BE COUNTED IN THE SURVEY. Some people find themselves homeless due to financial burden, others are dealing with mental health issues, addiction, or some combination of

all three. The problem is complex, and I certainly don’t profess to having all the answers to why people find themselves without stable housing, nor do I have the expertise to know how to solve the problem. What I do have is empathy for those who find themselves in need of something most of us take for granted and sympathy for the reasons they find themselves in that position.

I have noticed though, after more winter seasons than I sometimes care to admit, that the problems which cause issues in urban centres also exist in ski towns, although they can be a bit harder to spot through all the glitter of a resort setting. Look closely and you’ll see all of the same stresses and issues are present, in some cases even more so.

There are very few jobs that require the amount of physical and mental output day after day that resort jobs do. Workers who are outdoors are expected to do their jobs safely and efficiently, in all kinds of weather. Resort workers who are indoors are constantly dealing with a steady stream of guests who expect and deserve exceptional customer service. Add to that the very real situation that many resort workers find themselves in: often young, away from home for the first time, away from normal support networks, surrounded by like-minded new friends who are enjoying the excesses that are available. It’s no wonder that a beer or two after work can, over time, become something more serious.

Before I start sounding

like someone who is against people having a good time, let me say this: the experience of working and living in a resort setting can be life changing. Lifelong friends and memories will be made and often it’s the most fun you will ever have in a work setting.

For others, who may have a predisposition for certain behaviours, it can be the match that starts the fire.

Speaking from personal experience, I learned that the party lifestyle, easily accessible drugs and alcohol and a steady stream of people who wanted to give ‘er, was a dangerous combination.

I was one of the lucky ones. I’ve been clean and sober now for 20 years.

My own experience with substance abuse has allowed me to be more aware of those around

me who may need some help. I’m not suggesting abstinence is the key.

What I think we need are more of the things that make us human, starting with understanding and compassion. If you see someone you think needs a friend, be that friend.

Don’t be the enabler who encourages something destructive, be the voice that isn’t afraid to ask, “Are you okay?”

Sometimes that simple question is enough to make someone think about their choices. It’s a long and awesome winter so let’s remember one of the best things about sharing seasons together is we all have hundreds of brothers and sisters. It really is all about family, and sometimes families need to speak the truth to one another.

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MOUNTAINTOWN NEWS GRIZZLY DELIVERS TKO IN ITS BOXING MATCH WITH DRUNK BANFF, Alberta – Whatever was he thinking? Obviously, the 35-year-old man from Saskatchewan was not thinking of getting a $4,000 fine when he got out of a red pickup truck in Banff National Park and began shouting at a young grizzly bear.

Two nearby photographers who had been observing the grizzly for some time captured what happened.

Devin Mitsuing shouted at the bear and threw rocks for 5 or 10 minutes, then adopted a boxing stance before charging the bear, which fled.

He and companions were later found in British Columbia, at the Radium Hot Springs, too inebriated to be allowed to drive. To compound things, when his day in court came, he failed to show.

Prosecutors, said the Rocky Mountain Outlook, had charged him with disturbing wildlife in a national park. Jeremy Newton, the prosecutor, also said that not only did the man from Saskatchewan put himself in danger, but he put every other person who comes across this bear in danger in the future.

LATEST DISCOVERY IN BURGESS SHALES, A FEISTY LITTLE THING LAKE LOUISE, Alberta – After all these years of giving, the Burgess shales of the Rocky Mountains continue to produce new and interesting fossils. The latest, reported the Rocky Mountain Outlook, is a species described as a pair of large, egg-shaped eyes and a multi-tool head with long walking legs.

The scorpion-like creature also has several pairs of limbs that could sense, grasp, crush, cut, and chew.

This find occurred in the Marble Canyon excavation site on the British Columbia side of the Continental Divide, but relatively near Banff. The shales are famous for the exceptional preservation of the soft parts of fossils from 508 million years ago.

A TALE OF TWO ECONOMIES, ONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER KETCHUM, Colo. – Again comes a report of two economies in a mountain resort valley, this time from the Ketchum-Sun Valley area.

“We have two types of residents,” said David Patrie, outreach director for Sun Valley Economic Development, in a recent public briefing. “We have those who derive income

8

from outside the county. They could be trust-funders, or they could work remotely for Google. Our economy works pretty well for those folks. Then we’ve got people who depend on Blaine County to make a living. It’s not working as well for them.”

The big, overview numbers look healthy. It’s in the weeds where the problem becomes apparent, and precisely so in the real estate market.

“Juiced by outside money, home prices rose much faster than local wealth,” the Idaho Mountain Express explained.

“The strain is showing in the labor market. Companies can’t find workers at wages they can pay, and workers can’t find a place to live—let alone one they can afford.”

About 16 per cent of people in Blaine County are uninsured.

That’s higher than the state and national averages, said the Express, and higher than in the counties where Aspen, Jackson Hole, Park City, Steamboat Springs, and Breckenridge are located.

BIG AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT MOVES FORWARD EAGLE, Colo. – Eagle’s elected officials have approved the first draft of what the Vail Daily describes as the largest real estate development in the last decade. Of the 500 units in The Reserve at Hockett Gulch, 400 are to be one- and two-bedroom rental units.

Some of those units will be deed restricted, available for rental only to those to those who work in Eagle County an average of 30 hours a week.

The project plans call for significant density, about 16 units per acre.

AS CHINA SAYS NO THANKS, RECYCLING OPTIONS NARROW ASPEN, Colo. – So much for good intentions. Paper and plastic no longer can be recycled at Aspen’s recycling center.

The problem seems to be a glut of such materials now that China has said it doesn’t want to deal with the offal of America’s affluence.

“The vast majority of plastics must be transported overseas to be recycled, and those markets have become saturated since China is no longer a viable market,” a memo to the city council said.

Material recovery facilities – the name for the middlemen in this waste stream – must therefore store the paper and plastic or dump it into landfills.

Where will the Aspen recycling center take yard waste, household metals,

VOL 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 4 - NOVEMBER 1

glass bottles, and corrugated cardboard. Also, household batteries and textiles, including clothing and shoes.

WHEN TRUCKEE’S NATURAL ICE WAS VALUED COMMODITY TRUCKEE, Calif. – Before it became a way-station on Interstate 80 and a gateway to Lake Tahoe, Truckee was a railroad town whose products included delivery of ice.

Writing in the Sierra Sun, Judy DePuy of the TruckeeDonner Historical and Railroad Societies explained that Truckee got uncommonly cold but received far less snow than on Donner Summit, just a few miles away. Snow acts as an insulator, and the absence of snow produced higher quality of ice.

The ice was then shipped to the mines around Virginia City, where temperatures soared to 125 degrees in the rock.

“After working for 14 minutes, miners would be allowed ice water to keep their body temperatures down as much as 95 pounds of ice were allocated to each miner every day.”

Truckee’s “Mountain Ice” was also exported to San Francisco and Sacramento, and it was also used in production of lager beer. In time, the fruits and vegetables of California’s Central Valley were chilled with the Truckee ice before export to distant markets.

The ice business in Truckee peaked between 1880 and 1900, and the final ice harvest occurred during the winter of 1926-27. By then, artificial methods of producing ice had been discovered.

GETTING PEOPLE TO SKI AREAS ON THE CONGESTED HIGHWAYS TRUCKEE, Calif.

– Transportation officials in California may seek to reduce congestion on Highway 89 between Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows and Interstate 80 at Truckee by putting the highway’s shoulders to work.

The plan, reported the Sierra Sun, would involve allowing buses to use highway shoulders on two miles of the most congested segments. The buses would ferry passengers who have left their cars at park-and-ride lots.

In Colorado, something similar is at work. Already, Interstate 70 has been reconfigured between Denver and Summit County to allow motorists willing to pay tolls to gain access at congested times, so far limited to weekends. This is for east-bound lanes.

Work has recently begun on reconfiguring the highway in

SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM // @SUNPEAKSNEWS its west-bound lanes to achieve the same purpose. In effect, two lanes are being expanded to three lanes.

Along with this, Colorado has been expanding its popular purple-and-black Bustang bus routes. Several buses—plush and with WiFi—already ply I-70.

Bustangs will go specifically to Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ski areas beginning this winter, and Copper Mountain has shown interest, The Denver Post reported.

LODGING BUT WITHOUT THE STAFFING NEEDS OF A HOTEL JACKSON, Wyo. – Comes yet another high-end resort project, this time along a ski run at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

The 134,000-squarefoot property is to be “highly amenitized,” said Rob DesLauriers, who is representing the owner of the property. He has developed two previous lodging properties at the base of the ski area. The plan is for indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa area, plus a restaurant open to the general public.

Building a luxury residential project was more appealing than a hotel, he said, because it requires less staff in a seasonal economy.

A CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION? LAW IN ASPEN CASE UNCLEAR ASPEN, Colo.

– Vice President Mike Pence this summer visited Aspen to raise money for the Trump-Pence re-election campaign. Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo figured he needed to provide security, but because it was a private event, not public, the Trump campaigned needed to pay: $18,175.

The Trump campaign didn’t seem to think so, so two Republicans who happened in to be in Aspen and heard about the stink quickly wrote checks for $9,000 each.

But is that a campaign contribution or something else? Digging deep, The Aspen Times’ Rick Carroll can do no more than shrug his shoulders.

“As is typical in party politics, one camp believes the payments were in-kind political contributions, while the other argues they were not.”

DiSalvo and another local sheriff, Lou Vallario, of Garfield County, also expressed frustration in 2016 when Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, made a swing through Aspen to raise money for her campaign after flying into the airport at Rifle, 70 miles to the west.

Do you know how old your smoke alarms are?

Check your smoke alarm for a sticker showing the year to replace it in or if there’s no sticker, replace the smoke alarm if it hasn’t been changed within the last 10 years. Old smoke alarms can fail or may take longer to detect smoke.

Please email info@sunpeaksfirerescue.com for a free smoke alarm test.

Bear Smart Community

Just a reminder that bears are active at this time of year and are attracted by the mountain ash bushes. In order to help reduce any issues, please remove the berries. Also ensure that all garbage containers are securely stored and BBQs are properly cleaned.

Outstanding Taxes

Don’t forget to pay any outstanding taxes. The annual Tax Sale is scheduled for September 30th for any properties with delinquent taxes. Please contact the Municipal office to inquire about account balances.

Questions, comments and feedback can be sent to

www.sunpeaksmunicipality.ca

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Hamptonstone combines passions in dream presentation JEAN STRONG

ISABELLE HAMPTONSTONE, SUN PEAKS RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER, IS PREPARING FOR ANOTHER SKI SEASON AND REFLECTING ON A CAREER HIGHLIGHT, COACHING GUIDES FROM MIKE WIEGELE HELICOPTER SKIING. The passionate skier was able to combine business with pleasure when she attended the annual guide’s training program and worked with staff who are tasked with taking guests safely into the mountains.

Hamptonstone is the creator and chief executive officer of Brain Train International. She uses her skills and experience to coach athletes, business professionals and others to be more successful and perform well under pressure.

While working with the guides she covered topics like the impact of stress on performance, how responses to stress are developed in childhood, and how those experiences affect how one acts under pressure.

She used examples from working with Olympic athletes and others who work in stressful industries and shared techniques they can use to reset when they feel stress building.

Elias Ortner, senior lead guide and assistant operations manager for Mike Wiegele, said the presentation was important for their staff.

“At times our job can be very demanding and stressful. We were looking for a technique (or) advice to maintain (or) enhance the performance of our employees. I know some of our guides have very much enjoyed her presentation and applied her strategy.”

ISABELLE HAMPTONSTONE SKIING AT MIKE WIEGELE HELISKIING. Photo Supplied

The opportunity was especially special to Hamptonstone.

“As a member of the military reserves in the UK I fell in love with aircraft, particularly helicopters. I loved how the pilots had to be so focussed and relaxed at the same time. It blew my mind that they could be so capable under such pressure.”

She added as a child she also

fell in love with the power and strength she saw in female skiers she would watch on TV. “In my adult life I learned to ski, and was also blessed with the opportunity to put my two great loves together at Mike Wiegele.”

While busy with work Hamptonstone was also recently honoured with

winning in the “Best Business Coach/Consultant” category of Kamloops This Week’s Reader’s Choice Awards.

“I was flabbergasted to receive (the award),” she said. “It’s a real pleasure to train the brains of business leaders. Very often there’s a whole lot of fun and potential within them just waiting to be released.”

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Highland dancer explores roots

JAIDA MCKENZIE-WHITE WITH MEDALS WON IN PORTREE. Photo Supplied

McKenzie-White overcomes injury to place overseas

JEAN STRONG

ON A GRASSY ‘LUMP’ IN A TOWN OF AROUND 1,000 PEOPLE ON AN ISLAND AT THE NORTHWEST TIP OF SCOTLAND, SUN PEAKS RESIDENT JAIDA MCKENZIEWHITE DANCED ON A STAGE IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. Her aunt, cousin, grandmother, father and brother were all there to watch and cheer her on. Her mother, Melissa McKenzie, got into costume for the first time in five years and competed alongside her.

The family travelled to Scotland in August to attend three Highland Games competitions around the country. With one event cancelled due to poor weather and another withdrawn from due to an injury, the Isle of Skye Highland Games in Portree was their single competition on the trip. Despite the setbacks from a skiing injury, Jaida placed in three categories and brought home medals.

Dancers are judged on a variety of qualities including footwork, foot, head, arm and shoulder placement, hair, outfit, stage presence, stamina and elevation of jumps.

The 17-year-old, grade 12 student has taken part in highland dancing for ten years, in addition to ballet, hip-hop, jazz and lyrical dance.

With her mother and aunt’s highland dance backgrounds there was never a question on if she would take part.

With her team in Kamloops she’s competed across Canada and the

U.S. and would like to become a teacher one day.

“I hope to take my teachers and be able to pass my passion onto other people,” she said.

But the trip abroad was more than dancing or a competition; it was time spent learning about dance culture and connecting with family.

Melissa and Jaida said the experience was different from the games that stretch across huge fields in North America.

“It was all packed in,” Melissa said. “You see people running and tossing and dancing all in the same spot.”

“It was a little bit intimidating,” Jaida said. “That experience is probably something I’ll never experience again. They have a competition weekly, that’s their life.”

For Melissa getting on stage had another level of intimidation, not having danced in years.

“It was about doing it with Jaida and having that experience with her. I’m glad I did it, it was cool...we had never been there with our kids.”

Returning to Canada after the competition and two months of travel, Jaida reflected on the trip.

“I think one of the biggest highlights was to be able to be super proud of myself for getting through all my dances. And to be able to do it with my cousin.

“It felt really special, especially that my nana came. It just in a way felt like another competition but it felt really special that my dad was able to be there because he’s not usually able to come to competitions. And to travel all that way just to see my

cousin and I.” She sees dance staying in her life in some form in the future, she said.

“I think that I’ll definitely always have a connection to dance because it’s a way I can express myself and express my feelings.

It’s something that’s very special for me. “

MELISSA MCKENZIE WITH DAUGHTER MELISSA MCKENZIE-WHITE COMPETING IN SCOTLAND. Photo Supplied

DRACULA: the BLOODY TRUTH By

BLOODY G OO D FUN

Le Navet Bete & John Nicholson

A comedy that bites, for ages 12 to the undead

OCT 10-19

SAGEBRUSH THEATRE, KAMLOOPS

W CTL IVE.C A 10

VOL 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 4 - NOVEMBER 1

Live Professional Theatre in the Heart of B.C.

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Wine and Food Festival set for March NIKKI FREDRIKSON

WINE ENTHUSIASTS WILL SEE A CHANGE IN THE CLASSIC WINE FESTIVAL EVENT THIS WINTER AS TOURISM SUN PEAKS UNVEILS A NEW WINE EXPERIENCE, THE SUN PEAKS WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL. THE NEW

EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM MARCH 5 TO 8 AND REPLACE THE ANNUAL SUN PEAKS WINTER OKANAGAN WINE FESTIVAL WHICH HISTORICALLY HAPPENED IN JANUARY. “This year the restaurants are taking ownership of their events, creating events that maybe they wanted to try for a few years and hadn’t had the opportunity,” said Janice Hoppenreys, events

manager for Tourism Sun Peaks.

“Because they’re restaurant led events there’s a huge focus on the food and the menu.”

The new event was created to complement the Savour the Sun Festival held in December.

“January is a very busy time period in the resort and accommodation was getting challenging, especially on the nights of the Progressive

Tasting and some of our most popular events, so moving it to March will help to alleviate those issues,” said Hoppenreys.

The festival will feature more than 12 unique events including two returning events, the Explorer Dinner at Voyageur Bistro and the grilled cheese and wine event.

“The restaurants will be focusing on what they do

best, for example Bella Italia is doing an Italian snack bar where you can enjoy a taste of Italian appetizers with Italian style wines and beverages from the Okanagan,” she said.

Similar to before, the festival is designed to allow participants to come to as few or as many events as they want. A full schedule and ticket sales will be available in the coming months.

Kamloops women featured in outdoor lifestyle film NIKKI FREDRIKSON IF YOU’VE EVER MOUNTAIN BIKED IN KAMLOOPS ON A THURSDAY EVENING THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE YOU’VE RUN INTO THE DIRT CHIX, A GROUP OF 160 WOMEN WHO GET TOGETHER FOR WEEKLY TRAIL RIDES AND ARE THE SUBJECT OF FILMMAKER VESTA GILES’ DOCUMENTARY DIRT CHIX: MAKING TIME. “It’s a mountain biking film that’s not about mountain biking,” said Giles. “In the trailer, it says it’s about women, life and mountain biking and that’s really the order it goes in.”

Having ridden with Dirt Chix herself back in 2017, Giles originally planned on creating a five minute film about the group. That idea

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turned into a 10 minute film then evolved into the documentary idea she proposed to Telus’ Storyhive grant program.

“I sent them the proposal and, this never happens in the film industry, they came back within two hours and said this is great can you make this 45 minutes? I quickly messaged the Dirt Chix and said can we do 45 minutes?

They went I guess so, (and) we did it,” she recalled.

The film, which features 124 members of the group, focuses on women making time for themselves and prioritizing riding with friends once a week. Giles and her team of six, filmed with the group over 11 days, interviewing the original members, trail hosts and their newest riders to fully capture the heart of The Dirt Chix.

“That’s really what the story is about, why it’s important to find something that you love to do and then why it’s really important to make the time to do it.”

Throughout the filming process the crew visited the Bicycle Cafè and four prominent biking locations in the Kamloops region, capturing the essence of bike culture in the community.

“We wanted to get four perspectives of Kamloops. We shot in Bachelor at the Lac du Bois provincial park, we shot at Harper Mountain, we shot a lot at the Bike Ranch, and

DIRT CHIX: MAKING TIME DOCUMENTARY PREMIERED SEPT. 20. Photo Supplied

we shot at Kenna Cartwright Park,” said Giles.

Filming started April 18 and with a deadline for Telus of August 26, Giles said the process was tight. She noted documentaries are made in the editing room and she relied on the creativity of Josef Perszon to bring her vision to life.

“We didn’t have time to sit

on things and think about them for a week, we had to just go with our gut and move on. I think that was a very powerful way to do it because we didn’t second guess ourselves.”

The film, which premiered Sept. 20 at the Paramount Theatre, raised funds for Kamloops Performance Cycling Centre which

maintains the bike trails at the Bike Ranch, Harper Mountain and Pineview Valley.

Giles said she hopes the documentary, which will be available for viewing on Telus Optik on-demand and YouTube, will inspire others to get out on the trails, to live a healthier lifestyle and to inspire others like the Dirt Chix inspire her.

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Sun Peaks Firefighters Society PRESENTS

T h e Annual

Gala

n ov e m b e r 23 , 201 9

S u n P e a ks G r a n d H ot e l & Conference Centre C O C K TA I L S | 6 : 0 0 P M DINNER | 7:00PM 3 C O U R S E S W I T H W IN E E N T E RTA I N M E N T | K I N S H I RA P E R F O R M A N C E T R O UP E DRESS | FORMAL TICKETS | $120

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Federal candidates to stop in Sun Peaks SPIN AS THE FEDERAL E L E C T I O N D AT E D R A W S CLOSER, FEDERAL C A N D I D AT E S IN THE KAMLOOPS RIDING WILL BE MAKING T H E I R WAY U P T O S U N PEAKS TO SPEND TIME AND DISCUSS ISSUES WITH THE LOCAL E L E C T O R AT E .

Current Member of Parliament and Conservative Party candidate Cathy McLoed will be at Cahilty Creek on Friday, Oct. 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a Meet & Greet event followed by a stop at the Heffley Creek Community Hall from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

An All Candidates Forum will be held at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel &

Conference Centre on Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those confirmed to be attending to date are Cathy McLeod of the Conservative Party, C y n t h i a E g l i o f t h e N D P, Iain Currie of the Green Party, Ken Finalyson of the Peoples’ Party of C a n a d a a n d Te r r y L a ke from the Liberal Party.

For those unable t o a t t e n d a Fa c e b o o k Live Broadcast will be av a i l a b l e o n Fa c e b o o k . com/SunPeaksNews and those wishing to send questions in advance can contract editor@ sunpeaksnews.com.

Wa t c h f o r o u r o n l i n e candidate profiles in October.

Canadians head to the ballot box on Oct. 2 1 . To e n s u r e yo u a r e registered to vote to to www.elections.ca.

Oct

4

MEET AND GREET WITH CATHY MCLEOD CONSERVATIVE PART Y CANDIDATE 4:30 to 6:30P.M. Cahilty Creek 7:30 to 8:30P.M. Heffley Creek Hall

6

HEFFLEY CREEK’S ANNUAL HARVEST SALE AND CRAFT FAIR 10A.M. to 2P.M. Heffley Creek Hall

9-12

FIELD OF SCREAMS 6P.M. Sunset Valley Farm

11-14

THANKSGIVING MEALS Village Restaurants

12

THE COLLECTIVE FILM SHOWING 7P.M. Masa’s Bar + Grill

12-14

TURKEY SALE ALL DAY Village Businesses

15

ALL CANDIDATES FORUM 6 to 9P.M. Sun Peaks Grand Hotel

16-19

FIELD OF SCREAMS 6P.M. Sunset Valley Farm

ONG OI NG E V E N T S SUNDAY

TUESDAY THURSDAY

Kitchen Party 3 - 5p.m. at Morrisey’s Public House Pints & Poses 6:30 - 8:30p.m. at Cahilty Creek Kitchen 1st & 3rd Thursday

Sun Peaks Rotary Club 8a.m. at Mantles Restaurant

Open Mic Night 8 - 10p.m. at Morrisey’s Public House

Pints & Poses 6:30 - 8:30p.m. at Cahilty Creek Kitchen

SATURDAY

Live Music

Various Artists

8 - 10p.m. at Morrisey’s Public House FREE

DAILY

Art Exhibition of the Month Local art work displayed

9a.m. - 5p.m. at Central Reservations

Notice of Intent

Whitecroft, B.C. Road Closure

Notice is given, pursuant to Section 60 of the Transportation Act, that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has received an application to permanently close an unconstructed, unmaintained portion of Cahility Road between: • Lot 67, Section 11, Township 22, Range 15, West of the 6th Meridian, Kamloops Division Yale District, Plan 26002, and • Lot 1, Section 11, Township 22, Range 15, West of the 6th Meridian, Kamloops Division Yale District, Plan KAP84494, in Whitecroft, B.C. The applicant will then dedicate a new 20 metre wide unconstructed, unmaintained road along the western boundary of Lot 1, Section 11, Township 22, Range 15, West of the 6th Meridian, Kamloops Division Yale District, Plan KAP84494.

Anyone with comments of support or objections to this road closure should submit their comments in writing to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Kamloops office at 127-447 Columbia Street, Kamloops, B.C., V2C 2T3, or by email to Brandon.Gustafson@gov.bc.ca, no later than October 31, 2019.

A plan showing the proposed road closure may be viewed at the Ministry’s Kamloops office weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. A copy of the plan can be emailed if requested.

For more information, please contact Brandon Gustafson at 250 371-3796 or at Brandon.Gustafson@gov.bc.ca

23-30

FIELD OF SCREAMS 6P.M. Sunset Valley Farm

VOL 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 4 - NOVEMBER 1

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MONTH IN PHOTOS

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

REX AND IVY FELL ENJOYED COOKIE DEORATING AT VERTICAL CAFÉ DURING THE FALL FESTIVAL. Photo Supplied

THE TNRD INVASIVE PLANT COMMITTEE PULLED OVER 80KG OF WEEDS ON SEPT. 23 WITH THE HELP OF 22 VOLUNTEERS. Photo Supplied

CONTESTANTS DUG INTO PUMPKIN PIES AT THE FALL FESTIVAL. Photo Supplied

THE PRESIDENT’S CHOICE SUPER DOGS WOWED CROWDS AT THE FALL FESTIVAL. Photo Supplied

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS V17I09

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Adaptive Sports Sun Peaks: where volunteer work is play NIKKI FREDRIKSON

AFTER A SUCCESSFUL WINTER LAST YEAR, ADAPTIVE SPORTS SUN PEAKS HAS ONCE AGAIN SEEN IMMENSE GROWTH AND DEMAND FOR THEIR PROGRAM OFFERINGS. PROGRAM MANAGER JENNY HAWES IS PREPARING FOR ANOTHER BUSY SEASON AND WANTS TO ADD 25 MORE VOLUNTEER COACHES TO THEIR ROSTER. “There’s different options,” she said. “If someone comes to us from the community who already has their ski pass we will train them up to be an instructor and their level of commitment is whatever they want it to be as required, as needed, as available.”

But having a season pass isn’t a requirement to get involved. Hawes explained ASSP has 27 season passes to give to volunteers who commit to 100 hours of volunteering.

“This provides more incentive for people to commit on a more permanent basis. We really need those volunteers to help with our local programming. We run two, five-week programs for our local students, so 100 hours amounts to 12 to 13 weekend day commitments.”

This season the organization is switching to an online booking system which will allow instructors to use an app to sign up for lessons when they have availability and have more autonomy over their scheduling.

“The instructors will get alerts when a new student has signed up for a lesson.

They’ll all have the alert so they can choose to sign up or not sign up for the lesson,” explained Hawes. “It’s going to add to the efficiency of our scheduling immensely.”

For veteran volunteer Lisa Bentz her journey with ASSP started in 2008 when she became involved as a visually impaired skier.

“I decided to join as a volunteer after having to take early retirement due to complications of end stage retinal disease,” she said. “I felt I could assist in expanding ASSP (regarding) blind skiing, policy creation, developing workshops for instructors interested in working with blind skiers... and ended up completing my own CADS level one instructors certificate.”

Bentz said what keeps her coming back is the accomplishments of both students and instructors, the instructor training and the team approach to lessons.

“I never tire of the sound of the kids and parents voices full of joy and awe as they ski down the mountain and experience the freedom they never thought they could. Personally I never dreamed I’d be able to get back to skiing at the level I do and it’s thanks to the ASSP program and dedicated volunteer instructors.”

As requests for lessons for visitors have increased Hawes said the program is implementing a coaching

LISA BENTZ (MIDDLE) WITH A GROUP OF BLIND SKIERS ON THE SLOPES. File Photo

pool this year to avoid instructor burnout with incoming lesson requests.

“We have to change our approach, we’re going to have a reserve pool of instructors who are dedicated to providing lesson support as those special requests come in. That will be new this year,” she said.

When looking for new instructors to come on board, Hawes said, they look for people with some confidence on the mountain, but you don’t need to be an expert.

“If they can ski a blue run and are willing to commit to our program, then we will put the time and effort in to train them,” she said.

New volunteers will be required to attend a Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance ski improvement session and the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing level one course runs the weekend of Dec. 13 to 15. There is also an orientation session at the end of November.

Hawes said they would like to have 50 coaches for the season and mentioned

there are also opportunities for volunteers to work in the office to help with administrative duties and the program is looking to hire a part-time assistant co-ordinator.

“If our attitudes determine the quality of our lives, then it’s the positive thinking which runs through ASSP that inspires students, families and instructors to bring their “A” game to the table,” said Bentz.

For more information visit adaptivesportsatsunpeaks. org.

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Freestyle Club looks to expand programing NIKKI FREDRIKSON

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE FREESTYLE SKI CLUB THERE WERE JUST A HANDFUL OF KIDS TRAINING AND WORKING WITH A FEW COACHES PROVIDED BY SUN PEAKS RESORT. TODAY THE PROGRAM HAS GROWN TO NEARLY 40 ATHLETES WITH AN ALMOST EVEN AMOUNT OF GIRLS AND BOYS TRAINING AND CLUB PRESIDENT BRENNAN THOMPSON SAID HE EXPECTS TO SEE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO GROW. “I think we ended with something like 38 last year so it sounds like almost all of those are going to return and then potentially another 20 on top of that. It’s growing,” he said.

The club, which provides both competitive and noncompetitive programming options, will open their registration mid-October for kids aged eight and up to learn the sport.

“We’re really interested in long-term athlete development.

We don’t want kids getting pushed into this competitive thing early on and then burning out by the time they’re 13,” said Thompson.

This season he said the club will look to provide more

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training options for the athletes, adding a Friday training session geared towards local kids.

“That clears up some room on the weekends to bring in kids who, say are in school in Kamloops and can’t come on Fridays, so the younger kids that live here might have their training days on Fridays. That allows us, even with the two coaches we have, we can offer a lot more spaces overall,” he said.

With an emphasis on fun and safety, each child enrolled in the program can choose if they want to attend Timber Tour competitions or keep with a recreational training schedule.

“Even when kids are starting to get involved in competition it’s not necessarily for the competitive aspect, it’s often just an opportunity to go to another mountain, meet kids from other hills and ski on different courses,” said Thompson.

As registration inquiries grow, Thompson said the club will look to bring in a program director to manage the day-today operations and continue to become more independent from the resort.

“If we still only had 10 kids, then there wouldn’t be any of these issues about hiring coaches or program directors.

It’s just about accommodating

VOL 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 4 - NOVEMBER 1

WREN GRUNLING RECEIVING HIS MEDAL IN THE MEN’S U10 DIVISION AT MT. WASHINGTON LAST WINTER SEASON. File Photo

the growth. It’s great because it allows us to do these things like putting on competitions or fundraising towards getting an airbag,” he stated.

No exact date has been set for the opening of registration for this season’s programing but Thompson recommended families sign up as soon as it does.

“If you want to ensure yourself a spot the day registration opens mid-October you need to sign up. I expect we’re going to be at a point where we may have to turn a few people away.”

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2431 FAIRWAYS DRIVE | $1,399,000 Welcome home to this comfortable custom designed post & beam 4 bedroom home with additional 1 bedroom revenue suite. Expansive window packages take advantage of light and views. From the floor to ceiling rock fireplace in the living room, the custom hardwood cabinetry, granite countertops, deluxe appliances, tasteful mix of hardwood, stone and tile flooring - all is high end. Radiant floor heat throughout, vaulted ceilings, private deck, fireplace, plus large single garage of over 30 feet in length with additional storage mezzanine. Offered furnished with hot tub; GST paid.

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Experience one of the best slope side locations in Sun Peaks, from this turn-key fully furnished one bedroom lock-off style apartment in the popular Cahilty Hotel & Suites. Comfortably sleeps 6, and features 2 queen beds with a full bath on one side; queen sized bed plus the convenience of a full kitchen and full bathroom on the studio side. Appreciate being “close to it all”, with four season recreation right at your doorstep! Owners enjoy the benefit of unrestricted owner use plus the ability to capture rental income when you are not using the property personally, GST applies.

#407 HEARTHSTONE LODGE | $139,900 Fantastic ski-in & out access - directly to the door of the Hearthstone Lodge! Kick back and relax with family and friends after a day on the slopes or a round of golf in this roomy 2 bedroom loft with vaulted ceiling. This exclusive & centrally located condo offers a bright open living room, full kitchen, dining area, 2 queen beds, queen Murphy bed, sofa bed plus bunk beds to accommodate up to 10 comfortably. Owners’ personal use is up to 180 days per year with professional management agreement. Offered fully furnished; GST applicable.

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NEW LISTING

#52 TIMBERLINE VILLAGE | $429,900 Fully furnished, warm and inviting 2 bedroom condo with 2 bathrooms is on two levels and offers heated tile floors, a bright eat-in kitchen and spacious living area with cozy fireplace. Enjoy the mountain views of Morrisey from the private sundeck off the living room as well as ski run views on the main mountain from the kitchen / dining area. Not currently being rented and is available for quick possession. Zoning allows for short term rentals and GST is paid.

#1405A GRAND RESIDENCES | $107,000 Luxury living at a fraction of the cost.. two bedroom, two bathroom features gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, inviting living room with private south facing sundeck overlooking the village stroll, with open dining area, newer carpet and cozy fireplace. Spacious master bedroom with bay window and well-appointed Ensuite with soaker tub and separate shower. Comfortably sleeps 6 with secure underground parking, access to fitness facility, outdoor heated pool, hot tubs & onsite restaurants and lounge. GST applies.

#36 TRAILS EDGE | $899,900 This 3 bedroom townhome is as ski-in/ski-out a location as you get anywhere in Sun Peaks. Ski out to Orient or Morrissey lifts and ski home from Sundance and Orient chairs. Corner location with large window packages, 3 and 1/2 bathrooms; upgrades to granite and stainless; loads of parking and fireplaces in both living room and family room. The spacious family room, complete with wet bar, creates great separation for adults and children and provides for overflow sleeping space. Offered furnished, with hot tub, GST paid.

#35 STONES THROW | $484,000 This attractive ski-in, ski-out 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom mountain condo in Stone’s Throw is conveniently situated next to the new Orient Chairlift and just steps from the Sun Peaks golf course. Ground level corner unit that has an ideal floor plan offering comfort and privacy with private hot tub and direct access to greenspace. Features an open living, dining area and well equipped spacious kitchen with heated tile floors and, stone-faced fireplace. GST is applicable.

#8 SETTLER’S CROSSING | $549,000 Lower level 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom retreat is very well-appointed with alluring features such as granite countertops, hardwood flooring, heated tiles in entry, kitchen and bathrooms, and cozy gas fireplace in the open living area. This condo has fantastic ski-in, ski-out access located directly on the golf course adjacent to the new Orient Ridge Chairlift. Features covered deck with large private hot tub, 1 secure underground parking space with additional storage area and ski locker available.

#152/154 CAHILTY HOTEL | $189,000 Enjoy one of the best ski-in, ski-out locations Sun Peaks has to offer. Conveniently located on the main floor, this fully furnished lock-off suite features a desirable full sized kitchen, perfect for extended year round getaways, with 1 queen sized bed and full bath, and 2 queen sized beds and full bath in the adjoining room. Hotel amenities include ski storage, family restaurant, secure underground parking and laundry facilities. Owners have initiated renovations - October 2019. Truly an attractive family get-away and great investment; GST applies.

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VOL 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 4 - NOVEMBER 1