Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine March 2024 issue

MARCH 2024 REAL ESTATE UPDATE

Lack of snow isn’t the only thing missing in 2024

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Welcome to spring – earlier than usual. It seems winter and spring have been in a tug-a-war this year. The beauty of snow and the anticipation of spring can create such conflicting emotions. But I digress, the lack of snow is not the only thing lacking in 2024. With only 27 single family homes for sale, it would appear that real estate has been sluggish also.*

In January 2024 there were a total of 9 residential real estate transactions: 4 single family homes, 3 strata units, 1 manufactured home on PAD and 1 vacant lot or land.  The highest sale price for a single family home was $975,000 and the lowest $800,000.  Single Family home real estate listings remain on the market between 63 and 228 days before they sell. All single family homes sold for less than their listed price in January. The lowest reduction being $30,000 below asking and the highest being $139,000* on two listings.

Also of note were the 3 strata unit sales. One being a penthouse at Sutton Place and another a two bedroom unit at Mackenzie Plaza. The Mackenize Plaza unit sold in only 10 days. This timeline is far below the average for single family homes. Strata sales remain consistent at three per month, two months in a row. Is it an indication that the desire for secondary or investment properties is higher than a single family home? Or does it reflect the type of buyer at the moment?

The two charts on this page show the difference in sales year over year and also month over month. While the month to month comparison shows a decrease in the number of sales, the comparison from January 2023 to this January indicates market activity is the same.

Over the past year, the Bank of Canada has made several changes to its key interest rate, thus affecting mortgage rates. In January 2023 the average five year fixed term rate was 4.39% and in January 2024 it was 4.84%. A direct result is that lending is more expensive than it was a year ago. This change in borrowing cost could be what is making home sales slower and strata properties more popular. Commercially zoned properties require a more substantial downpayment. A buyer who is interested in a second or recreation property generally has more cash.

I’m always on the lookout for fresh ideas to write and learn more about. Your input matters to me, so if there's a topic you're passionate about or something you think needs more coverage, please don't hesitate to reach out. Additionally, if you're interested in a market valuation for your home or are in need of a reliable realtor, I'm here to help with that too. Your interests and the community's well-being are my top priorities.

* info taken from the MLS for the Revelstoke Area on February14, 2024, single family homes only

Tara Sutherland Associate Broker 250-814-8677

Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine is a free monthly publication featuring the best of Revelstoke outdoor life, food, style, visitor experiences, lifestyles, entertainment, home style and healthy living.

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Introduction

Happy 125th birthday, folks!

Okay, so maybe we’re all not turning 125, but Revelstoke seems to be looking alright in its years. While all of our issues are focused on Revelstoke and the surrounding region, this issue in particular feels like a neat snapshot of Revy and the things that bring so many to this region, including snowsports culture like YETI Natural Selections, the growing pains council and city staff navigate and local organizations and events that bring the community together.

I don’t get to pick an issue that’s my favorite just yet, but this one does feel like a neat capsule of what I’m coming to love about Revelstoke and the people calling this city home.

Here’s to the next 125, folks.

- Lys Morton, community journalist

COVER AND INSET PHOTO:

As a city, Revelstoke is celebrating 125 years. Learn more about the history of incorporation on page 14.

Photo by Ivan Gorbenko

Presenting The Selkirks at Mackenzie Village

Steps from adventure: 2 km from Revelstoke Mountain Resort and adjacent to the future Cabot Pacific golf course.

Community and convenience: Rooftop amenities, shops and dining nearby; all just minutes from historic downtown Revelstoke.

Complete flexibility: Rent nightly, monthly or live full time.

16

CONTENTS

8

EVENTS CALENDAR

Find out what is happening in and around Revelstoke this month by checking out our events calendar. Don’t forget to add your community event online at revelstokemountaineer.com

10

COST FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SPIKES AFTER NEW PROVINCIAL DEMANDS

The price tag for Revelstoke’s wastewater treatment plant plans jumps from $13.6 million to $35 million.

11TERS

NEW PROPERTY TAX AND UTILITY INVOICING AIMS TO REDUCE CONFUSION, STREAMLINE SYSTEMS

Learn more about the recent change to tax and utility invoicing before bills are mailed out Thursday, March 28.

12

REVELSTOKE WOMEN’S SHELTER SOCIETY HOSTS WALK FOR COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

Learn about Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society’s largest annual fundraiser, which supports various community outreach initiatives.

14

REVELSTOKE CELEBRATES 125 YEARS

How much do you know about the anniversary of Revelstoke’s incorporation as a city?

16

SOUP AND A SMILE PROGRAM PROVIDES DIGNITY AND COMMUNITY WITH EACH MEAL

Learn more about the weekly lunch program open to everyone.

18

REVELSTOKE SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS EXPLAINED

Dive into how Revelstoke could respond to provincial legislation for short-term rentals.

20

DUSTIN CRAVEN READY TO SHOW OFF REVELSTOKE TERRAIN IN YETI NATURAL SELECTIONS

Check out what you can expect during the YETI Natural Selections March 10-17.

21

SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS ENCOURAGE REVELSTOKE YOUTH TO HAVE COURAGE TO CREATE

As part of Arts Revelstoke’s Performance Series, the hip-hop duo chatted with students at Revelstoke Secondary School.

22

PUZZLES

Try your hand at March's puzzles and check your answers for last month.

DAILY DJ EVENTS:

HAPPY HOUR

PRESENTED BY STRAIGHT & NARROW

REVELATION LODGE

12:00PM-2:30PM

APRÈS PARTY

PRESENTED BY RED BULL

PAUL MAIR PLAZA

2:30PM-5:30PM

EVENING EVENTS:

MARCH 9

PRE PARTY

TRAVERSE, 9:00PM (TICKETED)

MARCH 10

OPENING CEREMONY

REVELSTOKE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE 7:30PM (TICKETED)

MARCH 13

YETI FILM NIGHT

THE ROXY THEATRE, 7:30PM (TICKETED)

MARCH 16

CLOSING PARTY

PRESENTED BY ARC'TERYX

REVELATION LODGE, 8:00PM (TICKETED)

FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS REVELSTOKEMTNRESORT COM

MARCH 2024 CALENDAR

MARCH EVENTS

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

ALEX ZERBE: THE ZANIAC

Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre, 1007 Vernon Ave., 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Who’s ready for Alex Zerbe to show off his skills? Beatboxing, juggling, dancing, singing, music and magic are just a few of the things in store for audiences. Check out Alex’s whole performance at this family-friendly event.

MONDAY, MARCH 4

WINTER WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOPS

Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson St, 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Join artist Lara Davis for her weekly Winter Watercolour Series. Beginner and intermediate artists are welcome to try out new techniques, form their style and explore the entire watercolour process.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

CROCHET WITH CATHY: BEYOND THE BASICS

Revelstoke Museum and Archives, 315 First St. West, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

It’s time to take your crochet skills to the next level with Cathy

English. Build your own project using shaping techniques and stuffing. Participants must already know basic stitches. Cost includes supplies. Tickets purchased ahead of the event, spaces are limited, check revelstokemuseum.ca for more info.

MARCH 7 – MARCH 10

REVELSTOKE INTERNATIONAL FREESKIERS JUNIOR 2 STAR COMPETITION

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd

It’s time to cheer on the next generation of freeskiers, ages 7 to 19 as they take on Revelstoke Mountain. Awards will be announced Sunday, March 10 at 5 p.m. in the Paul Mair Plaza.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

FILM FRIDAY: THE CAMPS

Revelstoke Museum and Archives, 315 First St. West, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Head to the museum’s second floor for a screening of the documentary film series The Camps, following the stories of Canada’s First National Internment Operations. Tea, coffee and snacks provided.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

LOCALS DAY

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Get your Local’s Day on and

enjoy $20 lift tickets and $10 standard rentals. Try out the high end gear for 50 per cent off. Bring down proof of residency and enjoy the mountain in our backyard.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

ROYAL B.C. MUSEUM COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

Revelstoke Railway Museum, 719 Track St. West, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. What do you want the future of BC’s main museum to look like? How can the Royal B.C. Museum be more responsive, representative, welcoming and inclusive for all visitors? Join this community conversation at the Revelstoke Railway Museum and provide your input. Refreshments will be provided.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

BROWN BAG HISTORY: TRAGEDY AT PRIEST RAPIDS

Revelstoke Museum and Archives, 315 First St, West, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Museum curator Cathy English shares details about the 19th century tragedy that occurred at Priest Rapids. Refreshments provided, but also feel free to bring your own lunch.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

BALLET KELOWNA PRESENTS TAQƏŠ AND OTHER WORKS

Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre 1007 Vernon Ave., 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Ballet Kelowna showcases a range of signature work in Taqəš and Other Works. Witness Cameron Fraser-Monroe’s taqəš [tawKESH], Guillaume Côté’s Bolero and Fraser-Monroe’s satirical The Cowboy Act Suite in a program sure to dazzle all.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

FILM FRIDAY: THAT NEVER HAPPENED

Revelstoke Museum and Archives, 315 First St. West, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Join us upstairs for a screening of the documentary That Never Happened, a film focusing on members of Canada’s Ukrainian community talking about the history and legacy of World

Check out Alex Zerbe, the professional Zaniac at Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre. Photo provided by Arts Revelstoke

Residents take in Locals Day. Photo by Lys Morton

War One Ukrainian internment camps.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

RAIL JAM

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Head over to the Revelstoke Mountain Resort village for Rail Jam. Show off your best tricks to the judges and take home some cash prizes. Cheer on your favorite competitor and enjoy the hot chocolate and tunes in the spectator zone.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

PEER PRESSURE SONG

CLUB

Fable Book Parlour, 102-311 First St. West, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Mike Shaver, Katie Marti and Steph Clifford decided to come together in 2022 and hold each other accountable to their song craft and their creativity. With over 100 songs written by the group from January 2022 to August 2023, the trio has chosen

the gold nuggets from the pile and will be sharing an evening of songs and stories about keeping promises, keeping the lamp lit and keeping sane during the pandemic.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

REVY GNAR DAY

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come on down and celebrate the life and legacy of Shane McConkey with the wildest tricks and stunts you can pull off on a set of skis. Or maybe just one ski, take a chance. Really, the day is about having fun and remembering what skiing is all about. Make sure you find at least five different Ski Patrollers and give them props or a high five.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

BROWN BAG HISTORY: TEDDY GLACIER MINE

Revelstoke Museum and Archives, 315 First St. West, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Learn about the Teddy Glacier Mine at Cambourne with curator Cathy English. There’s a new donation full of photos and information about the mine for

MARCH 30 – MARCH 31

KING AND QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd

Get ready for the annual King and Queen of the Mountain. Competitors will show off their freeride and freestyle skills in a two day head-to-head. Competitors with the most combined points will be crowned king and

Find out who's King and Queen of the mountain this season.

Photo provided by Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Ballet Kelowna Presents Taqəš and Other Works

Photo provided by Arts Revelstoke

COST FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SPIKES AFTER NEW PROVINCIAL DEMANDS

By Lys Morton

New guidelines for Revelstoke’s wastewater treatment plant have ballooned the previous budget.

Steve Black, director of engineering and public works presented an update of ongoing upgrades to Revelstoke’s wastewater treatment plant to Revelstoke City Council’s committee of the whole at a Feb. 15 meeting. Mayor Gary Sulz and councillors Matt Cherry, Lee Devlin, Austin Luciow and Aaron Orlando were in attendance as Black broke down the updates.

Municipal wastewater treatment facilities must meet Municipal Wastewater Regulation (MWR) guidelines monitored by the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (MEO).

Plans to upgrade Revelstoke’s wastewater infrastructure were sent to MOE staff in May 2023, Black explained, but staff later indicated they had not received the city’s report. Later on, Revelstoke city staff were informed that previous plans to upgrade facilities to meet MWR guidelines over a phased timeline were not acceptable and new environmental impact assessments would be needed.

“In our liquid waste management plan approach we had asked and gone through a process so that we were going to phase these improvements so we could achieve compliance over time and minimise the upfront costs,” Black said.

Compliance needs now require an environmental impact assessment regarding the overall effect of the wastewater treatment plant, the effluent

released from the plant into the Illecillewaet river, updated costs estimates for the overall project and increased Indigenous engagement with local nations and affected parties. Revelstoke will also need to install additional treatment for phosphorus within the water and begin testing for levels of microplastics and personal pharmaceuticals.

Previous cost assessments estimated $13.6 million for the entire project, a cost that was earmarked in the city budget. However, with new requirements and a shortened construction timeline of 15 to 16 months, the project is now estimated to cost $35 million.

The original project budget included $7 million borrowed from the city, and Black advised council and staff to focus on finding other means of funding to make up the over $21 million cost difference. That would include a trip for Mayor Sulz and Black to Victoria to speak with ministers about securing more funding and grants for the project. Answering Coun. Orlando’s question about any other funding options available, Black confirmed city staff have been open with the province about how the new estimated cost threatens the entire project.

“If the province is going to drive us to this treatment level knowing that we don’t have $30 million sitting in a bucket downstairs, we have to find additional sources,” Black said. “[If] the province is demanding we build this plant and combine two phases to a $35 million tune, the province needs to come to the table.”

Revelstoke’s tourism leverage could also be used to help negotiate with the province, Black said.

“We’re the second largest generator of tourism dollars for the province. If that’s important to the province I think they should be able to come and help us continue to be a revenue stream.”

The city is currently looking at a housing accelerator fund that could be put towards the wastewater deficit, director of finance Sheanna Moore confirmed. But she noted the amount would not come near the $20 million needed.

“The city could consider looking at external debt,” Moore said. “However, without having the numbers in front of me I can assure you that there will be another very large increase to the sewer fees to cover the annual debt servicing with a debt load that big.”

Council voted unanimously for Mayor Sulz, Black and other council members to meet with provincial staff in Victoria to seek out added support.

The City of Revelstoke sewage lagoon in the industrial park area in Southside.

Photo by Revelstoke Mountaineer

NEW PROPERTY TAX AND UTILITY INVOICING AIMS TO REDUCE CONFUSION, STREAMLINE SYSTEMS

By Lys Morton

In a recent change to how Revelstoke residents receive their property tax notices, utility invoicing will now be separately billed. The move aims to solve confusion and free city resources.

One reason the change was implemented was to reduce the number of residents who confuse an increase in utility charge with property tax increases, according to Revelstoke’s chief administrative officer Evan Parliament.

With the previous billing model, staff frequently responded to residents who were concerned that an increased utilities bill was actually part of property tax increases that far exceeded planned 3 per cent raises.

Additionally, Coun. Matt Cherry, who proposed the change in billing, explained in a social media post the previous billing would be a future hurdle for city staff due to software limitations.

“Municipal software is set up to have completely separate modules for property taxes and utilities,” Cherry wrote. “Our current software requires custom modifications to point the utility billings to the property tax notice. Without the change implemented this year, we would likely have issues if we were required to implement a new financial software in the future.”

Resident Feedback

Some residents impacted by the change voiced concerns about the cost of such a shift, while noting the previous system provided a singular place for both payments.

“It was more convenient and clearly itemized keeping all payments for cityprovided services and taxation in one simple document system,” Revelstoke resident Mike MacNeil wrote to the Mountaineer in an email response to our weekly newsletter highlighting the shift. “The change introduces more accounting, payment tracking and processing which adds cost. For what benefit?”

While acknowledging resident concerns over cost and resources, Parliament explained technology would help rein in costs and effort.

“With technology and software today, once it's implemented it's like a machine. It just runs itself.”

The separated utilities invoicing will also increase transparency around how much money per resident goes toward water, sewer and garbage services.

“We have two separate funds, a water fund and a sewer fund, from core services,” he explained. “They're supposed to be self-funded. In other words, they're not supported by taxes, they're supported by users. We want to be fully transparent, let people know that the water fund has so many dollars going in, so many dollars going out – paid by the users who use water... same for the sewer fund.”

While the change was announced on the city’s website and posted publicly in a Facebook post, Parliament said city staff and council didn’t provide adequate notification.

“I want to make it clear that the city accepts responsibility for not rolling out the first notice to let everybody know of the separation,” Parliament said, noting that a staffing shortage was part of the drop in communication.

Notice of the upcoming change was only mailed to property owners who qualified for an installment plan the city is implementing alongside the new billing structure.

Utility invoices will be mailed out Thursday, March 28 and payment will be due Tuesday, April 30. Property tax notices will be mailed out Friday, May 31, and payments will be due Tuesday, July 2. Utility invoices not paid in full by April 30 will incur a 10 per cent penalty on the remaining balance. More information and how to set up the residential utility installment plan can be found on the city of Revelstoke’s website.

Revelstoke city staff rolled out a new utilities invoicing framework.

Photo by Lys Morton

REVELSTOKE WOMEN’S SHELTER SOCIETY HOSTS WALK FOR COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

THE SOCIETY BEAT THEIR DONATION GOAL DURING THEIR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER.

By Lys Morton

Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society (RWSS) hosted their largest annual fundraiser during the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOTY), beating their goal of $20,000 by raising $24,222.

“The event was a huge success with 119 registered walkers with 28 teams and 33 volunteers,” Lynn Loeppky, executive director for RWSS, told Revelstoke Mountaineer.

CNOTY is an international event focused on providing fundraising for local organizations that support community members who are food and housing insecure. Many of those organizations also help other populations who overlap with those struggles.

“Women who come to us are facing that housing insecurity,” Loeppky said. “They’re fleeing their home, it’s not a safe place to return. Oftentimes they’ve given up everything, left everything behind.”

Fundraising collected during CNOTY also helps RWSS provide resources

and learning opportunities that can reduce the need for women and children to flee unsafe housing. The organization’s extensive list of outreach programs in and around Revelstoke focus on providing accessible mental health services for community members, meal opportunities through Revelstoke Secondary School and physical health opportunities like yoga classes.

Funds raised also help support the Forsythe House, RWSS’ emergency shelter for women and children escaping domestic abuse.

“Mentally healthy communities, less stress in the community helps curb abuse,” Loeppky explained. “It helps give space for folks to feel safe to talk about struggles. And that way we can help families stay healthy and safe.”

Overall, the goal for the event was to provide space for the community to come together and break down some isolation.

“There's definitely a loneliness and isolation component to all forms of abuse that we’re constantly trying to counter.”

BC Housing sponsored the event, along with a number of community organizations, including Southside Food Market, City Furniture, Velocity Heating and Plumbing, Silverwinds, Left field Floral, City of Revelstoke and Stoke FM.

“The Revelstoke Community Center was full before and after the walk with everyone enjoying soup and chili from Tim Hortons,” Loeppky said. “Hoping to see everyone back in February next year.”

Unlike previous years with a staggered start, 2024's Coldest Night of the Year saw walkers completing the route all together.

Photo by Lys Morton

Coldest Night of the Year walkers were treated to warm soup and chili after their walk, donated by Tim Horton's.

Photo by Lys Morton

REVELSTOKE CELEBRATES 125 YEARS

MARCH 1, 2024 MARKS A CENTURY AND A QUARTER SINCE REVELSTOKE OFFICIALLY BECAME A CITY.

By Hollie Ferguson

As Revelstoke approaches the 125-year anniversary of its incorporation, the Mountaineer chatted with Revelstoke Museum and Archives curator Cathy English for a peek into the local history.

And the City of Revelstoke is just the most recent chapter in a very long story, beginning with the Sinixt people who have lived on the Columbia and its tributaries since time immemorial. Revelstoke history is tied intrinsically to the disruption and displacement of the local First Nation.

“That part of the story is very complex, far too complex for a quick chat and short article,” English shared. For a deeper look, she recommended Swift River, a book on the subject by Laura Stovel.

The book shares stories of fur traders, settlers and Sinixt people, following Sinixt men and women as they fought for their recognized rights to their ancient lands. Despite a 1956 Canadian government declaration that the Sinixt were “extinct” in Canada after they were pushed south of the border, the fight for rights continued as the Sinixt pushed back.

Swift River includes contributions from Sinixt authors Shelly Boyd and Patti Bailey, who write about their nation's diplomatic efforts and fight for justice.

The founding and incorporation of Revelstoke

In 1885, the town originally called Columbia City was dubbed Farwell, after Arthur Stanhope Farwell, a civil engineer and surveyor who held a Crown Grant of 1,175 acres and had laid out much of the townsite.

Even then, English said, Farwell believed the area would be a centre of trade with the US, a manufacturing city, the seat of administrative headquarters for surrounding districts and a hub for tourism, lumbering and mining.

That same year, construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway was complete. Not a year later, however, the name Revelstoke was bestowed upon the town on

June 1, 1886 thus bringing to life the town we know and love.

So what are we celebrating? Well, the day Revelstoke was incorporated: March 1, 1899. We are 125 years to the day that the painstaking process of incorporation became complete, allowing Revelstoke “city” status and the plethora of benefits that come along with that, including a sewage system and road improvement.

However, not all were pleased with the idea of incorporation. In a letter to the editor, reader Sam Needham wrote, “Now Mr. Editor, I should like to hear from some party, who Mr. Haggen is, and what right allowed him to speak at a meeting of property holders of Revelstoke. Say, Mr. Editor, we need no imported spouters as we have spouters enough of our own.”

E.A. Haggen had supported the motion for immediate incorporation.

Panorama of Revelstoke 1901. Photo courtesy of Revelstoke Museum and Archives

The first Revelstoke council and mayor. Photo courtesy of Revelstoke Museum and Archives

Conversely, those who wanted to wait on incorporation were dubbed “grandmothers” by the Revelstoke Herald, for falling behind the times.

Despite what some may have said at the time, the incorporation of Revelstoke is most certainly worth celebrating, but many notable things came before to help raise the town to city status.

In 1886 the first farms were established in Revelstoke, and in 1889 the first permanent school and sawmill opened. In 1890 came the first mention of someone skiing in Revelstoke. In 1896 telephone service became available, followed two years later by electric power, provided by a dam on the Illecillewaet River. The arts boomed In 1898 when Revelstoke Opera House opened.

All of these improvements and technological developments put Revelstoke in prime range for incorporation, which brought even more advancements, opportunities and celebrations.

Revelstoke post-incorporation

Twenty-two days after incorporation, the first municipal elections were held, offering Revelstokians a chance to put in their vote for council members. According to the Revelstoke Herald, 443 voters turned out to the polls, electing Florence (Frank) McCarty as Mayor, and T. Kilpatrick, T.J. Grahame, F.B. Wells, W.F. Crage, Dr. McKechnie and William Brown as aldermen in Revelstoke’s first city council.

The Herald dubbed those men the “lucky seven who sit at the council board for 1899 and run the town,” and listed the runner-ups as the “other seven who will sit at home and tell how much better they could have done it.”

Years later in 1915, Revelstoke’s first Winter Carnival was organized, including ski-jumping on Mount Revelstoke.

The carnival and its beloved outhouse races were revived this year as part of the anniversary celebrations, and included a rail jam competition, a youth art gallery, live music, a scavenger hunt and more.

“This is about the community,” Allie Bruni, producer of Revelstoke Winter Carnival told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “Bringing everyone together for winter fun and celebrating Revelstoke.”

Bringing the community together was certainly in the spirit of incorporation, which set the stage for Revelstoke to bloom into the place we call home today.

Revelstoke Public School Group, 1899. Photo courtesy of Revelstoke Museum and Archives

The inaugural winter carnival in 1915 was marked with a massive snow sculpture unveiled at the start of the festival. Photo provided by Revelstoke Museum and Archives

SOUP AND A SMILE PROGRAM PROVIDES DIGNITY AND COMMUNITY WITH EACH MEAL

REVELSTOKE UNITED CHURCH’S WEEKLY MEAL PROGRAM, SOUP AND A SMILE, GIVES SPACE FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO COME TOGETHER.

By Lys Morton

Nearly every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Revelstoke United Church hums with activity as patrons settle in for warm food, warm smiles and a chance to connect over lunch. Supportive living groups have it as part of their weekly schedule, folks working at downtown businesses use it as a moment to step out of the office and those looking to stretch their food budget just a little farther sit down to enjoy a meal.

This is Soup and a Smile, the outreach program United Church’s Beth Campbell started nearly 29 years ago, and it is still running today with over 20 volunteers. The program began as a way to fill a need within the congregation, but has since opened to everyone in Revelstoke. Patrons order their pick of

soup, garlic bread or bun, tea, coffee or juice from a volunteer who comes to their table. The meal arrives between conversations, laid out on a tray and warm to the touch.

“It’s supposed to have the feeling of warmth, of care from everyone here,” Soup and a Smile coordinator Clara Maltby told Revelstoke Mountaineer, explaining one of the core missions of the program is to create a meal opportunity for everyone in the community.

A sense of dignity

“No matter what you pay, no matter who you are, everyone gets the same experience.”

While taking orders from other patrons and wiping down tables for the next guests, volunteers will stop by for a moment and check in. How’s the meal, do you need anything else, are you ready for dessert? A yes to that last question will soon summon a tray lined with various cake slices, again an opportunity for guests to choose what they want.

The experience follows a mindset that has helped shift various community services, from food banks to reproductive resources, creating a sense of dignity that increases the likelihood that those who need the resource will return.

“We don’t ask why you’re here, we don’t worry about that,” Maltby explained. “This is just for the community to come together. For all of the community to be able to come together.”

Formerly guests would line up and serve themselves before finding a seat, but pandemic restrictions and a need to adapt to changing health requirements due to COVID-19 saw the change in operation. But it’s a change Maltby said they’ve benefited from.

“It gives us an opportunity for more one-onone, rather than just come grab your soup, grab your dessert and sit down and then grab your dirty dishes. This way now our servers talk to them, get to know their names.”

Soup and a Smile has become a way to stretch food budgets just a little more for some, the low cost lunch and reclaimed breads available for patrons to choose from as they head out. For others, it’s a longstanding moment to connect.

The Soup and a Smile connection

“It’s a good way to get out of the house,” patron Chris told Revelstoke Mountaineer. He is one of the Nexus Community Support Society members who come together every Monday for a meal at the church, their front table buzzing with jokes and talk about the latest Grizzlies game. “Everyone smiles at you, and the food is really good!”

As volunteers and regular patrons get to know each other, celebrations will be called out for everyone to hear. Whether singing happy birthday, announcing a new grandchild or excitement for decent weather in the forecast.

Volunteers tell Revelstoke Mountaineer that Soup and a Smile is a connection to their community and a chance to give back.

Photo provided by Rosemary Kelsall

“For some folks, this is their chance to be around folks for the day,” Maltby said. “I keep in mind I might be the first person some have talked to that day.”

Dale Dusang, who has been volunteering with Soup and a Smile for years now, told the Mountaineer he’s more than happy to give back to a community that stepped in when he and his family needed a hand.

“The community took care of me and my family. Now I'm giving back,” Dusang said. “At the end of the day I like to say, ‘thanks for the opportunity to be of service, where I could help someone today’.”

Whether it’s greeting new faces and letting them know what to expect or preparing coffee the way a regular once mentioned they prefer, Dusang said he gets just as much out of the friendliness that’s a core part of Soup and a Smile. As Revelstoke continues to grow, he sees the need for the program remaining, in part due to rising cost of living but also to keep the community connected.

“A majority of the people here are elderly, yes. It means something for them to have this chance to get out and see folks.”

Organizer Anne Nicholson noted that more young folks are attending Soup and a Smile, but she wondered if there is a potential shuttle feature in the future.

“I’ve thought about seniors who can’t get out, but if someone could volunteer to come get them and bring them in, they could enjoy the company.”

Revelstoke’s community spirit on display

TOURISM TALKS

REVY. Resort Shuttle

While Soup and a Smile continues to attract more guests, a lack of volunteers is not one of the growing pains the program faces, Maltby explained. She has taken to writing down contact information for those interested in volunteering so she can reach out if and when spots open up. Current kitchen and hall size at United Church restricts the amount of bodies that can comfortably operate preparing soups, cleaning dishes and serving meals.

Grants and financial support from Revelstoke Credit Union and Revelstoke Foundation Grants help cover the grocery costs for some of the soups made and donations from patrons help cover general costs. Guests are asked to donate $5 if possible, but Maltby and Nicholson both know that’s not always possible for each guest.

“If you can afford it, great! If you cannot, please keep coming. We want you here either way," Maltby emphasized.

Volunteers rotate through soup recipes, large batches of soups are pre-made by “soup bees,” and food recovered through the Local Food Initiative and Food Recovery programs help build the menu offered each week. There are fan favorite soups, such as the hamburger soup, and seasonal specials.

A table at the front entrance is often filled with breads just past expiry that are free for all patrons to take home, leftovers from food recovery that maybe don’t make the best garlic breads but are still good to eat. Passing any leftovers along to others in need helps Soup and a Smile continue to keep waste down. In partnership with the Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society, leftover soups and desserts are brought to the shelter at the end of the day for clients to enjoy.

“It's my happy place,” Nicholson said when asked what keeps her connected to the program.“You come in here and you go and say hello to folks. You get to know their names and who they are in your community.”

All the volunteers keep Soup and a Smile a well oiled operation, Maltby emphasized. Whether it’s Pam collecting food recovery donations from Save-On Foods, United Church Reverend Gloria Christian who hosts Soup and a Smile and stops to greet every new face, the kitchen “dream team” of Sharon, Josie, Lynn, Jean, Helen and Bev, working to get soups and breads doled out for most of the time the program has been running. Sandy, who has joined in the kitchen, and clean up crew Jan, Vivian and Rosemary. Long-time servers Dale, Cathy, and Lee check in on each guest to see where they’re at, and recent newcomers Julia, MJ and Lisa jump in wherever needed.

Did you know the REVY Resort Shuttle is unique to our community and only possible thanks to our municipality, accommodators, tourists and Revelstoke Mountain Resort? This shuttle has helped fill a public transportation gap within our community and each of these partners contribute annually to the operating costs of this service

BC Transit is now hosting Revelstoke's bu schedule on the Transit app. This app enables user to plan trips and estimate arrival times When user riding the bus has the GO feature enabled, th app uses their phone signal to track live bu locations, helping others to see an accurate bus arrival time. The more riders using this app, the more accurate the bus arrival times will be

As of Friday, February 16, 2024, the REVY Resort Shuttle is offering extended late-night service, and will run until 2:30am on weekends and holidays No more cold walks home after spending a night out on the town! This service extension will remain in place until Saturday, March 30, 2024.

With live tracking, extended hours and the environmental benefits associated with taking public transit, why not take the REVY Resort Shuttle next time you need to get around town!

Photo

Soup and a Smile patrons, including students from École Des Glaciers tuck in for warm soup and garlic bread.

Photo by Lys Morton

REVELSTOKE SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS EXPLAINED

CITY AND RESIDENTS NEED TO ANSWER CORE QUESTIONS BEFORE DECIDING ON SHORT-TERM RENTAL ACTIONS, CITY STAFF SAYS.

By Lys Morton

City of Revelstoke staff sat down with a packed hall of over 100 residents and an estimated 300 online viewers during an open house presentation on current short-term rental (STR) regulations. During their presentation, they discussed how residents would be affected by provincial regulations and what things city staff are watching play out in other municipalities.

Here’s what we learned.

Revelstoke’s current short-term rental rules

Provincial legislation will be impacting current STR zoning and bylaws in Revelstoke, which are currently designated as a dwelling unit rented out for less than 30 days at a time. Secondary suites, condo units and full single family units all fit under the dwelling unit regulation.

Zoning bylaws throughout the city can affect STR requirements, such as 32 V zoned properties, commonly referred to as “spot zones.” Currently, each of those properties can run as a whole-home STR with 24/7 management not always residing on the property. Revelstoke’s April 2022 full scale STR update expanded those regulations to also involve single detached dwellings within the Revelstoke downtown and Victoria Road commercial zones.

Six comprehensive development (CD) zones are also allowed to operate as whole unit STRs. Currently that includes row houses on Townley Street, the Mackenzie Village project and current housing throughout the Revelstoke Mountain Resort zone. City staff estimate 1,000 to 3,500 potential units could be created within CD zones. 506 are currently in the works, including the Mackenzie Village project.

Those 506 multi-unit dwellings join 154 singledetached dwellings, zoned for whole home STRs or permanent onsite operator STRs, to total roughly 17.5 per cent of Revelstoke’s current housing stock eligible for legal STR operations.

“Quite a substantial amount of short-term rentals within the community are already zoned,” said the city’s senior planner Paul Simon.

Both STR and bed & breakfasts in Revelstoke require a business license to operate. B&Bs are classified as rooms rented out within a primary dwelling for less than 30 days. All standard residential zones allow for B&B operations within single-detached dwellings.

Where Bill 35 and Bill 44 change things

Legal non-conforming STRs within the city (properties grandfathered in as Revelstoke worked to lay out STR frameworks) will no longer be

protected come May 2024. While Revelstoke has few legal non-conforming properties that will be affected by the May change, staff are worried what provincial changes to legal nonconformity could mean for future bylaw changes.

“If we change our regulations to create properties that are now no longer in compliance what does that look like?” Simon said. “They would no longer be protected as grandfathered properties. We have to think about this really carefully.”

The large focus of how Bill 35 could change Revelstoke’s STR regulations remained on the principal residence requirement, a part of the legislation Revelstoke and 13 other resort municipalities are exempt from but can choose to opt-in to.

“We can use this, if we opted in, as a floor for our local regulations,” Simon said. “We can build more strict regulations on top of it. But we cannot build more lenient regulations.”

An example of where Revelstoke’s current policy is stricter than provincial and would potentially need revisiting is the length defined as short-term. Bill 35 classifies short-term as being a stay of up to 90 consecutive days while Revelstoke limits it to 30 days.

Opting into the principal residency requirement would mean Revelstoke’s 154 single-detached dwellings currently zoned for whole home STRs would then require an owner claim it as a principal

residence for the majority of the year. It would also open up potential STR stock as the province’s Bill 44 shifts future resident zoning to allow secondary units on properties.

Bill 44 would classify a primary house on the property as the primary residence, allowing for a legal suite and carriage house on the property to be rented on a short-term basis while the property owner lives full time in the main house.

“If we opted in, we'd have to consider how to then tweak our existing zoning rules if we don't want to expand short-term rentals with that rule throughout the whole community,” Simon said.

The future of STR's in Revelstoke

Attendees asked what legal ramifications the city could face for properties originally promised CD zoning regulations.

“Discussions with the province have gone along

Craft

the lines of, ‘if people want to sue you, they're suing you based on provincial legislation. Which means they sue us,’” Simon said. “Which isn't how it works, in practice. The city gets dragged into this all the time.”

Potential legal issues would be a drain on staff resources and time, taking away from current and future community projects, Simon said. It was another argument for staff, council and residents to take time in deciding what routes to take and how to build on provincial regulations.

“We don't want to go that route [of being sued]. That's why we want to be thoughtful, methodical about how we go about this.”

opt-out each year, there could be a change in the future. But maybe that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

At the end of the day, Simon repeated, future STR regulations within Revelstoke and the potential for opting into the primary residency requirement needed to answer one key question.

“What are we trying to achieve? Are we trying to restrict short-term rental at all cost in preservation of long-term rental accommodations? Or, are we trying to use short-term rentals as a way for the locals of Revelstoke to participate in our tourism economy?”

The opportunity to opt-in does come with the opportunity to opt-out, a point residents voiced as potential confusion for future councils.

“When councils shift and new people come to the table, there’s always the risk of that,” city staff member Adrienne Comars said. “If this is opt-in,

Further questions will be answered online and through future city communications.

Monday-Wednesday

Short-term rental regulations were the topic at a recent open house hosted at the Revelstoke Community Centre. Photo by Lys Morton

DUSTIN CRAVEN READY TO SHOW OFF REVELSTOKE TERRAIN IN YETI NATURAL SELECTIONS

THE WORLD OF SNOWBOARDING WILL ONCE AGAIN BE SHOWING OFF THEIR SKILLS AT REVELSTOKE.

By Lys Morton

Dustin Craven is ready to show off not just his snowboarding skills, but the mountains and terrain he’s loved for years as YETI Natural Selections makes their Revelstoke stop this March.

“We have this unique Interior old growth forest that makes for really beautiful riding,” Craven told Revelstoke Mountaineer.

The Natural Selection Tour, a snowboard competition developed by pro snowboarder Travis Rice, brings the best snowboarders from around the world to stand-out mountain destinations worldwide. The first stage of the 2024 Tour features Duels that will decide the final 6 of the 24 riders who will compete in Revelstoke. The 24 riders will drop into a new venue near Revelstoke Mountain Resort for the YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke. From there, the top 12 riders will compete in headto-head competition for the finals at the YETI Natural Selection Selkirk Tangiers, where this year's men’s and women’s champions will come out on top.

The terrain is known to keep the rider's situational awareness at top level, providing a wealth of jumps, obstacles, pillows and more. Not only is Craven ready to show off what these mountains have taught him, he’s also helped design the competition courses to truly highlight what the interior BC mountain ranges offer to riders. That includes giving riders a chance to experience the

somewhat unique snow feature for the region, snow pillows.

“Pillow riding is kind of unique to the interior area,” Craven explained. “Some would say [Revelstoke] has the best pillow terrain in the world. These dark, snowy winters. We don’t see the sun very much. And that eventually leads you to exploring these dark, very treed areas and getting comfortable with these pillow areas.”

Working with Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR), Craven spent time over the summer shaping the competition range and visualizing what natural features would lend to the best runs come challenge time. That included glading the area, building jump opportunities from the trees available on the slope and pruning a rogue branch or two.

“We weren’t so much changing the flow but more just adding to it.”

Any thought that gives Craven an unfair advantage was squashed as he explained how each rider will get a view of the course to study. Competitors are provided with photos and drone footage of the entire course prior to the competition and are allowed to map out what potential routes they will take based on the information provided.

“A couple days before, you sit on your computer and study exactly where you're gonna go, what trees and features you’re going to try and use as landmarks.”

Gabriel Kocher, renowned drone navigator, will

be bringing the closer shots of the competition to the screen, providing access to the sport that is becoming a highlight of the competition.

Kocher navigates the drone with each rider, judging what lines to take and what shots to get at the same time each competitor is deciding how to navigate their lines.

“He's watching it and following us, reading our body language,” Craven said. ”Just trying to adapt to what he thinks is about to happen. But really, he has no idea.”

It might even be adding another layer to how riders take on their lines, Craven said.

“It's kind of always a joke with us. Can you go fast enough or make a wild enough turn in the trees that it actually makes it fun for him.”

Craven is also excited for live streaming, which offers a chance for folks to come together around the world and watch, possibly even host a viewing party or two.

“It brings a broad audience in. ‘My three friends are into this, why wouldn't I go hang out with them and watch it’? Next thing you know they're a Natural Selection fan.”

Growing up in Calgary with the Rockies in the background and WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park across the street, Craven has called Revelstoke home for seven years now. As a youth, the drive to get out to the mountains was a core in nearly everything he did.

“I thought everyone just stared at the Rockies their whole life, like this kind of torture, until you could get out there. Then you head out this way, you get that first fix and realize you don’t need to ride ice all the time.”

When asked if there are any thoughts from last year's results, Craven said the focus is on the now and the heats he’s facing.

“You kind of just take the whole thing heat-byheat, two rounds at a time. Focusing and making sure that you take the time to go as hard as possible for those runs.”

Instead, his focus is on the work put into creating this event and how the local and international community has rallied behind YETI Natural Selections.

“It takes a year to put on this event. And everyone works so hard to make sure this happens, it’s really awesome. RMR has stepped up these last two years to support us, that’s been huge. And it’s so refreshing how on board they are.”

YETI Natural Selections will take place on a date selected in the March 10 to 17 window depending on weather and conditions. The YETI Natural Selections DUELS, starting Feb. 27 can be viewed online on Red Bull TV. YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke and Selkirk Tangiers will take place during the March 10-17 window and can be viewed live on Red Bull TV.

Dustin Craven during the 2023 Revelstoke leg of Natural Selections.

Photo by Chad Chomlack

Dustin Craven says B.C.'s interior rainforest creates a unique opportunity for snowboarders during Natural Selections.

Photo by Chad Chomlack

SNOTTY NOSE REZ

KIDS ENCOURAGE REVELSTOKE YOUTH TO HAVE COURAGE TO CREATE

THE HIP-HOP DUO SAT DOWN WITH STUDENTS FOR A Q&A TO CHAT ABOUT THE ROOTS OF HIP-HOP, WHY THEY FOCUS ON YOUTH IN THEIR MUSIC AND WHAT PROJECT COMES NEXT.

By Lys Morton

Snotty Nose Rez Kids sat down with students at Revelstoke Secondary School (RSS) for a Q&A focusing on art, hip-hop and finding direction for your passions.

The Q&A was in collaboration with Arts Revelstoke, which hosted Snotty Nose Rez Kids as part of their 2024 performance series. With Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre’s main stage located at the high school, Arts Revelstoke has collaborated with various artists and performers to host pre-show meet ups with students.

Dana Reaume, RSS’s learning support teacher and Stacie Byrne, Arts Revelstoke’s executive director co-led the Q&A before opening it up to students. For Reaume, the opportunity to provide students with the opportunity was an obvious one.

“I think demonstrating contemporary Indigenous music shows students what resilience and resistance can look like in a creative way,” Reaume told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “Hip-hop is so much more than just music, it’s oral history and a way of being in the world.”

Haisla Nation members Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce told the packed hall of roughly 180 students hip-hop was the obvious pathway for their creative expression when it came to sharing stories from and for their communities.

“My voice is my instrument, my weapon,” Nyce said when asked by Reaume

why hip-hop was the musical avenue the duo focused on. “Hip-hop lets us tell our story the way it was meant to be told. I think there’s a lot of connection with native culture and hip-hop culture in general.”

The history of hip-hop as a venue of protest and storytelling within Black and Mexican communities in New York set the groundwork for the form to be a vehicle for truth telling and expression, Nyce explained.

“We both come from musical families,” Metz added. “Any instrument, they could play it. But that was taken away from us.”

Indigenous festivals, dances and other ceremonies were banned from being practiced in an 1895 addition to the Indian Act. Potlatches, a common practice throughout nations found along North America’s Pacific coastline, were banned from 1884 until 1951. But Metz explained to students that the elements of Hip Hop matched many of the cultural elements found within various Indigenous practices.

“If you think of the four elements of hip-hop, what are they?” Metz asked. “You have the B-boys, the MC, the DJ, then you have the graffiti artist. Not that much different from indigenous culture. MCs are our storytellers, DJ’s are our drummers and our singers. B-boys and B-girls, those are our dancers. West Coast dancers, powwow dancers, whatever it may be. The graffiti artist, we have our carvers and our painters. They really do go hand-in-hand.”

When asked what effect Snotty Nose Rez Kids’ music had on audiences and what they hoped it did, Nyce turned his attention to students in the audience and students back home in and around Kitimat and Kitamaat Village.

He shared the story of returning to their old schools after a few years of touring and performing, where a guidance counsellor pulled them aside and shared how their music was helping connect Haisla Nation students together.

“‘What you guys are doing really changed the outlook of how the kids look at each other in school,’ she explained,” Nyce recalled. “That meant the world to us, something that inspired us to continue doing what we do.”

That focus on youth and empowering the next generations remains a theme in Snotty Nose Rez Kids’ future work.

“The future looking proud and real sacred as the Youth. Red future,” Metz rapped when asked from students to drop some bars. The lines were met with applause and shouts from students, and Nyce shared that they are from their upcoming album, Red Future.

“This right here? This is always so cool. Seeing you all accepting those lyrics and appreciating what we’re sharing.”

Student concern whether they were artistic enough to follow along in the work Snotty Nose Rez Kids does was quickly challenged by Metz and Nyce.

“I see a lot of artists out here,” Nyce said. ”Probably over half of you are artists, if not all. I think that we were all put here to create, in one form or another. We all have what it is within us to be able to do that.”

Creating isn’t the hardest part, Nyce added. Sharing one’s art and story to audiences you have no control over is the bigger battle.

“Once you start putting stuff into the world, making yourself vulnerable, that gets hard. And people can take however they feel about your music or your art, they can interpret it wrong. That was probably the hardest part, getting over people being able to criticize your music or your art for the way that they take it and just be okay with that.”

Still, neither Nyce or Metz regret being artists and emphasized that to students who were possibly getting cold feet at the thought of creating work to share.

“All the hardships that we faced over the years, the hardest part is having the courage to get started.”

Snotty Nose Rez Kids chatted with students at Revelstoke Secondary School.

Photo by Lys Morton

To Bebop or Not to Bebop

Across

1 Quantity: Abbr.

4 Rotini shape

10 Right, on a ship: Abbr.

14 "No ___, Jose!"

15 It gets smashed at parties

16 Rabbit's kin

17 Say "irregardless," say 18 "It's my turn on the teetertotter!"?

20 Like vacation postcard views

22 Places where the world is flat?

23 Butter wt., often

26 Bit of quippishness

27 Refrained from sobbing?

33 Yoko's family

34 Wooing and cooing, essentially

36 Needing salt, as a road

37 Ontario's main highway, to Caesar

39 CFL six-pointers

40 Havanan hello

41 Went on coffee break, say 44 Suffix with "buck"

45 Undesirables with Stratocasters?

48 Researcher's advanced deg.

49 With everything included

50 Scam victim's comment

54 Stands at an outdoor market

58 Make one's audience laugh?

61 Alley in the comics

62 The same ___ a similar nature

63 Debilitate

64 Mere pittance

65 Viking Erikson

66 Where blue meets green, on world maps

67 Gave the nod Down

3

4

5

6

35

by Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords

44

antipollution grp.

60 Suffers from