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October/November 2019
Rogers Pass avalanche upgrades Performing arts season preview Mt. Begbie development plans Women’s Enduro 2019
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CONTENTS
Creative Director Aaron Orlando 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. Each month we distribute 3,000 free copies to over 200 public venues across Revelstoke, including accommodations, shops, restaurants, cafes, community centres, bars, and everywhere people meet. We are an independent, locally owned publication dedicated to showcasing our amazing mountain town and the great people who create the stoke. For more information, including details on our very affordable advertising rates, please contact us: www.revelstokemountaineer.com click on the advertising tab 250-814-8710 info@revelstokemountaineer.com PO BOX 112 606 Railway Avenue Revelstoke, B.C. V0E 2S0
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ADVENTURE PARK PLANS
22 CLIMATE STRIKE
34 WINTER SHELTER
Revelstoke isn’t the only regional community planning for a large adventure park
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HOUSING UPDATE
24 JUMBO REFLECTIONS
36 SKI TOWN TOUR
It’s seasonal housing crunch time. Our housing update.
OCT/NOV EVENTS
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Find out what’s happening this fall in our Revelstoke events calendar
11 FALL PERFORMING ARTS
It’s a busy two months of performances at RPAC
We catch up on the new faces and names heading into the 2020 campaign.
18 ENDURO CHALLENGE
Revelstoke’s annual women’s enduro race turns three
20 BEGBIE DEVELOPMENT
Youth mark international climate change day with large local demonstration A small-town newspaper editor reflects on her time in between the trenches in the Jumbo debate
28 ACC CLUB UPDATE
Plans emerge for hut and chalet on Mount Begbie
The new Revelstoke-based section of the ACC organization reports on their first year
A Norwegian residents reflects on curious casual conversation in Canada New avalanche technology and infrastructure projects in Rogers Pass designed to ease delays and closures
Unique ways to make your dollars count in Revelstoke
Local manufacturing operation finds a niche in the North American market
Plans to convert Revy propane to natural gas stirs debate
44 BURGER WEEK!
We’re about to find out who has the best burger in Revy
45 COLOURING PAGE!
Crayon time! Thanksgiving Potluck: our first ever colour page
46 SPOKIN’ WORD
COVER PHOTO Kristin Ambrozy takes on the mud at the Revelstoke Women’s Enduro race in September. For more on the race, see our story on page 18. Photo: Laura Szanto for Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
Which regional ski town has it just right?
42 GAS DECISIONS
Forestry museum party celebrates in the woods
32 ROGERS PASS AVVY TECH
Plans for a winter shelter at a downtown church cause a stir
40 A PLACE IN THE SHADE
30 HOW’S IT GOIN’, EH?
38 CHEAPSKATE CHECKLIST
29 WOODSTOKE
14 GRIZZLIES PREVIEW
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How to fix a bent frame.
Contributors
Aaron Orlando Creative Director
Heather Hood
Melissa Jameson
Bryce Borlick
Louise Stanway
Nicole Trigg
Vilija Arnsteinsdatter
Matt Timmins
Ben Wilkey
Sonia García
Laura Szanto
Danielle Hebert
Alex Cooper
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Online Booking & Direct Billing
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Our integrative and holistic family practice offers
• OSTEOPATHY • RMT • NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE • FAMILY DOCTOR 222 First Street East, Revelstoke, BC www.revelstokeosteopathy.ca | 250-814-8983
welwinds.yoga 509 Fourth St E, Revelstoke, BC | (250) 837-6084 | www.welwinds.com
November 23-30 8th Annual 2019 Soupalicious Volunteer Fair & Community Dinner Spirit Of Revelstoke Awards Avalanche Canada’s Staying Alive and much more Want to host an event? Contact e.jill.zacharias@gmail.com by October 18th. Look for event brochures around town in mid-November! A week of free or low-cost events celebrating community, diversity and all the great stuff Revy has to offer!
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Monday-Saturday 11:30am-9pm. Tours at 4pm (closed stat holidays)
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NEWS BRIEF
Competition on the horizon for regional adventure parks business It appears competition is heating up for adventure parks in the region. Proposed adventure parks just outside Revelstoke and in Golden and Spallumcheen could soon provide some healthy competition for the already existing SkyTrek Adventure Park located at the Enchanted Forest just west of Revelstoke and the recently opened Aerial Adventure Park at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Here’s a look at what each adventure park has in the works:
Three new adventure parks planned for Revelstoke, Golden and Spallumcheen
Proposed opening date: Unknown. As recently as September 4, 2019 the proponents still need to meet a number of requirements set out by the Spallumcheen Town Council. These include providing council with a more detailed site map, and the completion of a hydro-geological assessment to determine any possible impacts on nearby residential water supply, among other requirements.
By Melissa Jameson
Revelstoke Adventure Park
Adventure Park, Golden
The proponents/developers: Black Tie Properties. The location: Greeley Farm, Columbia-Shuswap District Area B. How big is the proposed park? A March 21, 2019 report to the CSRD board shows 104.48 ha of private land and 257.3 ha of Crown tenure. What the park will include: Plans for the park have changed significantly over the years. The latest plans include developing in phases with the first phase including an RV park and six adventure activities, although what these are haven’t been specified. Future development plans include a hotel, bungee jumping, zip lines, and downhill mountain bike trails. Proposed opening date: Unknown. Proposed opening dates have come and gone over the years. Currently the proponents are hopeful for a soft opening in fall 2020.
The proponents/developers: Ray Soomal, Solstice Land Company. The location: The proposed park is located above Hospital Creek Falls, on Golden Upper Donald Road. This is just outside the Town of Golden’s municipal boundary. How big is the proposed park? 100 acres. What the park will include: Plans for the park include two sightseeing suspension bridges measuring 110 and 200 metres long, a bungee jump and bungee swing. In addition the park will include nature trails with interactive signs. Platforms will connect the bridges and provide views of Hospital Creek Falls. Rock climbing, ziplines, and a cliff walk are being considered for future development. Proposed opening date: Spring 2020
Wood Mountain Adventure Park, Spallumcheen
“park operators remain optimistic, with many making plans”
The proponents/developers: Woodbridge Dynamics Inc., Jack and Patti Wood. The location: Wood Mountain Adventure Park will be built on the Woods’ private property west of Highway 97A on Powerhouse Road, near Eagle Rock Road. How big is the proposed park? 250 acres. What the park will include: Plans are to build the park in two phases. Phase 1 includes an alpine coaster ride, challenge courses and a children’s plan area. Phase 2 includes hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, a zipline and tree climb.
Photo: Kyaw Zay Yan
*The town of Spallumcheen is located between Vernon and Enderby, just outside the City of Armstrong:
So what does this mean for the region’s adventure parks? A state of the industry survey released in January 2019 by Adventure Park Insider, a U.S.-based trade magazine geared towards aerial park operators, showed a lack of visitation growth during the 2017–2018 season. The report indicates “this lack of growth is likely due, in part, to the increasing number of zip tours and aerial parks, as this growth spreads visitors across a larger number of operations.” Other concerns expressed by park operators included issues with finding qualified staff, regulatory changes, and a drop in consumer spending. Despite this, the report also notes park operators remain optimistic, with many making plans for continued growth within the industry. 5
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Photos: The dream: a nice place to call home and get ready for the winter season. The reality: In the van until I figure something out. Photos: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
NEWS
Housing remains a huge issue in Revelstoke Several new projects in the works will increase the number of rental units in the city, but Revelstoke has yet to see much on-the-ground change By Melissa Jameson Revelstoke’s lack of long-term rental housing presents a year-round problem, but the crunch hits especially hard in the fall when hundreds of people begin seeking accommodation for the winter months. A recent Telus Insights study shows the population of Revelstoke basically doubles during the winter months, making the search for a place to live even more difficult. Over the past year, a number of housing projects have come to fruition that, once completed, will see an increase in the number of affordable and middle-income rental units available in Revelstoke. Revelstoke Mountain Resort also announced its intention to begin building staff accommodation as part of Resort Master Plan update. Once completed the three employee buildings would provide between 150 to 200 beds. However, the updated resort plan indicates construction on the staff housing units wouldn’t begin until after completion of a hotel and conference centre. Vacation rentals are also problematic, leading to reduction in the number of long-term units as homeowners opt to create AirBnB-style accommodation that can be rented out for a much higher price. The influx of homeowners converting suites into vacation rentals over the past decade has also led to an increase in the price of long-term rental units. While the City of Revelstoke has signaled a crackdown on illegal vacation rentals, and has essentially stopped issuing permits for any new legal vacation rentals, the city has yet to create any specific policies to address the issue. Late last year, planning department staff told the Mountaineer that new a vacation rentals policy was coming soon, but it has yet to appear. The good news, however, is that there are several projects in the works that will see an increase in the number of rental units available in the city.
Affordable housing projects in the works, but yet to be completed The B.C. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has announced several projects over the past year. In February 2019, the B.C. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced they had purchased property in the Southside neighbourhood where the now demolished Mount Begbie Elementary School sat, with plans to work with the city and other stakeholders to create an affordable housing project. According to a statement issued by the ministry the property, located at 420 Downie Street, purchased from the Revelstoke Board of Education at a cost of $1.5 million, “is large enough to accommodate a range of housing projects that could benefit tourism industry employees, low-to-moderate income families and seniors.” A look at BC Housing’s website shows the project is still in the preliminary stages, with public engagement taking place and a completion date still to be determined. The Mountaineer contacted ministry staff at the time of the announcement. They explained a consultation process to determine the best use of the site would be the first step. It hasn’t yet started. They also said it was likely at least two years before any construction starts and that
a phased development for the site is a possibility. In May, 2019 the Revelstoke Community Housing Society announced it was making progress on a 24unit affordable housing project on Humbert Street. The project, funded by BC Housing and Columbia Basin Trust, was originally set at 21 units, but a reduction in suite size led to an ability to increase the project. The RCHS indicated project completion is expected sometime in 2020. In June 2019, BC Housing again announced the purchase of property in Revelstoke, this time spending about $12 million to purchase two aging apartments with the intention of upgrading the buildings in order to provide “middle income” rentals. Once completed, the apartment complexes at Columbia Gardens and Rivers Edge will add an additional 38 units to the rental pool. Residents already in the building were not required to move during the remediation and renovation process. 7
CALENDAR VISIT REVELSTOKEMOUNTAINEER.COM/CALENDAR FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN EVENT FOR FREE FOR INCLUSION ONLINE AND IN OUR MONTHLY PRINT CALENDAR. *Please check the event on the day as details may change*
WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAY Moto-Monday Motorcycle Tour @ Tim Hortons Parking Lot 6 p.m. Bring your street legal motorcycle and enjoy a ride before meeting up at a local patio. For more info contact John @ 250837-1430.
TUESDAY Bikes, Beers & Babes @ Revelstoke Community Centre Parking Lot 6 p.m. A fun and friendly weekly ride for women of all skill levels. Meet at the community centre parking lot ready to ride.
Revy Riders Group Ride @ Revy Riders Parking Area 6 p.m. Meet with Revy Riders Dirtbike Club every Tuesday. For more information visit revyriders.ca.
THURSDAY
Saturday Morning Drop-In Squash @ Revelstoke Racquet Den Squash Club 9a.m.–1p.m. The Revelstoke Squash Club offers public drop-in squash every Saturday. $10/ person and court booking is available. The club is located at 207 Mackenzie Ave, below Mica Heliski.
OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER EVENTS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 Art exhibits @ Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre 12p.m.–4p.m. Two exhibits are on display at the art gallery. Jacqueline Pendergast “Threadscapes” and Tina Lindegaard & Group “Weng Slip”. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday, exhibits are on display until Oct. 25.
Dustin Nelson and Nick Rhymes perform, along with guests at The Last Drop Pub.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
Avataar @ Revelstoke Jazz Club
RCA Great Big Poker Ride @ Various 9a.m.–11p.m. Join the Revelstoke Cycling Association for a fun, all ages Poker Ride that spreads out across the RCA’s entire network: Macpherson, Boulder and Frisby. For more info,including a list of stops, visit bikerevelstoke. org.
Hungry For Laughs: Comedy Tour @ Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre 8:30 p.m. Tickets available at revelstokeartscouncil. com. or the Revelstoke Visitor Information Centre.
Revelstoke Oktoberfest @ 310 Second Street West
3p.m.–10p.m. The fifth annual Revelstoke Oktoberfest includes traditional German food, live music, and of course, beer! Kids are welcome to attend. Admission is by donation. Proceeds from the event will go towards a new shade structure at Kovach Park.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17
Revelstoke non-profit journalism workshop 7-9 p.m. @ Revelstoke Community Centre Macpherson Room Small-town journalism continues to decline due to changes in journalism business models. Will it survive and can it thrive? This participation-focused workshop is for people interested in finding solutions and getting involved organizing post-corporate news and journalism business models in Revy. The workshop will be facilitated by Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine journalist Aaron Orlando.
SATURDAY Revelstoke Farmers Markets @ Grizzly Plaza
Mushrooms 101: Grow Your Own & Foray @ Revelstoke Community Centre The North Columbia Environmental Society presents their 6th annual Hunting & Gathering Workshop Series on October 4 & 5. For complete details and registration information visit North Columbia Environmental Society on Facebook.
Dustin Nelson & Nick Rhymes @ The Last Drop Pub 8 p.m.
Rick Scott & Nico Roads Roots & Blues.
6 p.m. The Pedal ‘n’ Pint series is a weekly gathering of riders for a Thursday evening pedal. Meet at the community centre parking lot. Riders meet at the pub for pints afterwards. All skill levels welcome.
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7:30p.m.–9:30p.m. Avataar is a dynamic world-jazz ensemble that seamlessly melds the music of India, Brazil and modern jazz with atmospheric landscapes and world grooves. The jazz club is located in the Selkirk Room at the Regent Hotel. Admission by donation.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
Pedal ‘n’ Pint @ Revelstoke Community Centre
8a.m.–1p.m.
Fresh local fruits and vegetables, local honey, baking, preserves, locally-made crafts, knitting, fresh flowers, unique metal and woodworks, food vendors and more.
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CALENDAR
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
The Revelstoke Grizzlies take on the Sicamous Eagles in Junior B hockey action. Tickets are $12 adults, $9 students & seniors, $6 for children.
Genealogy Workshop @ Revelstoke Museum & Archives 1p.m.–3p.m. Join genealogist Rosemary Tracy as she guides you through the basics of genealogy and helps you get started in your search for family history. $8 per person or less with a punch-card.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 The Troll Grandfather @ Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre
Rick Scott & Nico Roads Roots & Blues @ Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre 7:30 p.m. Veteran folk artist Rick Scott joins forces with young keyboard ace Nico Rhodes for an inter-generational smörgåsbord of roots, blues and humour. Tickets $20 available at revelstokeartscouncil.com. or the Revelstoke Visitor Information Centre.
Revelstoke Grizzlies @ Revelstoke Forum 7 p.m. The Revelstoke Grizzlies take on the Chase Heat in junior B hockey action. Tickets are $12 adults, $9 students & seniors, $6 for children.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 Rick Scott & Nico Roads Music & Laughter Family Concert @ Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre 3p.m. Infamous folkie Rick Scott and young keyboard ace Nico Rhodes combine folk, blues, jazz and humour in a lively participatory concert for all ages. Tickets available at revelstokeartscouncil.com or the Revelstoke Visitors Centre.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco
The Revelstoke Grizzlies take on the Kimberly Dynamiters in junior B hockey action. Tickets are $12 adults, $9 students & seniors, $6 for children.
Johnny & June: A Musical Love Story @ Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre 7:30 p.m. A nostalgic evening of acoustic music and theatrical storytelling, recalling the great love and lives of Johnny Cash and his loving companion, June Carter-Cash. Tickets $25 available at revelstokeartscouncil.com or the Revelstoke Visitors Centre.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 2019 Revelstoke Cedar Shaker @ Revelstoke Mountain Resort 9a.m.–2p.m. The Revelstoke Cedar Shaker returns! For all the details and registration visit bcinteriorcross.ca.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30 Revelstoke Grizzlies @ Revelstoke Forum 7p.m.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco @ Revelstoke Performing
Arts Centre 7:30 p.m. Part of the Movies In The Mountains series The Last Black Man in San Francisco tells a story of the city through the eyes of a fictionalized character named Jimmie. Tickets $ 10 available at revelstokeartscouncil. com or the Revelstoke Visitors Centre.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31 Halloween @ Various All Day Keep an eye out for fun Halloween activities for both kids and adults in the community.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Opening Reception @ Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre 7p.m. Featuring works by Marlene Lowden and Glacier Adventure Stewardship program students. Admission by donation. The exhibits are on display until Nov. 22.
Revelstoke Grizzlies @ Revelstoke Forum 7p.m.
3p.m. The Troll Grandfather is an epic adventure about a 9-year-old girl named Sandy Nardini and her Grandfather. Tickets: Adult $15, Kids $5, Family Pass $30 (2 adults, 2 kids) (plus online service fee) available at https://revelstokeartscouncil.com/ or the Revelstoke Visitors Centre.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Revelstoke Grizzlies @ Revelstoke Forum 7:30 p.m. The Revelstoke Grizzlies take on the Princeton Posse in junior B hockey action. Tickets are $12 adults, $9 students & seniors, $6 for children.
MAMBO & Other Works by Ballet Kelowna @ Revelstoke Performing Arts 7:30 p.m. Nine dancers perform a mixed program that ranges from mesmerizing traditional and contemporary ballet en pointe to fiery Argentine tango-inspired dance. Tickets: Adults $25, Kids $10 (plus online service fee). Purchase online at revelstokeartscouncil.com, at the Revelstoke Visitors Centre and at the door.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Leela Gilday @ Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre 7:30p.m.
Emily Beaumont
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CALENDAR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Le Vent du Nord @ Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre
Le Vent du Nord.
7:30p.m. A leading force in Quebec’s progressive francophone folk movement, Le Vent du Nord’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional roots and original compositions. Tickets: $25 (plus online serves fee). Purchase online at revelstokeartscouncil. com, at the Revelstoke Visitors Centre and at the door.
A passionate singer/songwriter and soulful performer, Leela Gilday has a voice that comes straight from the heart. Tickets: $25 (plus online servies fee). Purchase online at revelstokeartscouncil.com, at the Revelstoke Visitors Centre and at the door.
Mike Field Quartet @ Revelstoke Jazz Club 7:30p.m. Toronto based jazz trumpeter, composer and vocalist Mike Field is known for his bright and energetic music.The Jazz Club is located in the Selkirk Room at the Regent Hotel. Admission by donation.
world with an all-female crew.Tickets $10. Purchase online at revelstokeartscouncil. com, at the Revelstoke Visitors Centre and at the door.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Revelstoke Grizzlies @ Revelstoke Forum 7p.m. The Revelstoke Grizzlies take on the Sicamous Eagles in junior B hockey action.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Volunteer Fair & Community Dinner SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Welcome Week @ All around town All Day Welcome Week - Connecting Newcomers & the Community is a week of free and low cost events showcasing the town Nov. 2330. Look for event brochures around town in mid-November. For more information email e.jill.zacharias@gmail.com.
@ Revelstoke Community Centre
4p.m.–6:30p.m. Meet, greet and eat! Find out about volunteer-based organizations in the community. Spirit of Revelstoke awards at 6 p.m. Register your organization for the fair at revelstokevolunteer@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Movies In the Mountains: Maiden @ Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre 7:30 p.m. This documentary from director Alex Holmes chronicles Tracy Edwards’ 1989–90 precedent-setting sea voyage around the
Opening Day @ Revelstoke Mountain Resort 8a.m.–6p.m. Dust off your gear, sharpen your edges, stretch out those quads and get stoked for another powder-filled winter at RMR! First gondola will run at 8am, with more entertainment to be announced throughout the day.
Revelstoke Grizzlies @ Revelstoke Forum 7p.m. The Revelstoke Grizzlies take on the Creston Valley Thundercats in junior B hockey action. Tickets are $12 adults, $9 students & seniors, $6 for children.
Not quite a cube, or a hotel!
ski packages.
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,
ARTS
Revelstoke Arts Council performance series filled with cultural diversity
Leela Gilday.
From returning favourites to classic family tales, the 2019/2020 season includes something for everyone.
The Revelstoke Arts Council’s 2019/2020 season includes an exciting and diverse line-up, filled with returning favourites and delightful new acts. The Family Series is back with four unique shows, providing a mix of circus, theatre and music. The Movies in the Mountains film series returns with nine films, each with an opening festival short film from the Toronto International Film Festival. This year’s Performance Series includes performances by award-winning, Dene-Canadian artist Leela Gilday, Le Vent du Nord from Quebec, and the brilliant Buzz Brass from Montreal who will
collaborate with the Revelstoke Community Band to warm up December. “Once again we are proud and pleased to bring top drawer cultural performances to Revelstoke. This season is rich in diversity whilst also being fun and accessible,” said Carol Palladino, Chair of Revelstoke Arts Council. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store for October and November. All shows are at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre. Tickets are available online at revelstokeartscouncil.com, at the Revelstoke Visitors Centre or at the door. 11
ARTS
revelstoke arts council’s
Rick Scott & Nico Rhodes ROOTS & GROOVES Music Series
Johnny & June: A Musical Love Story Music
The Troll Grandfather Family Series
Saturday, Oct. 19, 7:30p.m
October 26, 7:30 p.m.
November 2, 3 p.m.
Veteran folk artist Rick Scott joins forces with young keyboard ace Nico Rhodes for an inter-generational smorgasbord of roots, blues and humour. Combining old school groove with Broadway chops, Rick and Nico blur boundaries, creating a lively alchemy of songs, stories and musical mastery.
A nostalgic evening of acoustic music and theatrical storytelling, based on one of the greatest love stories of our time. Starring Doug Thoms on acoustic guitar as Johnny Cash and Kyrst Hogan as June Carter-Cash on autoharp, banjo and more. The performance features a treasure-trove of favourites by The Man in Black, some of Johnny and June’s famous duets, Carter Family favourites and of course a bit of June’s infamous comedy.
Axis Theatre presents Clem Martini’s The Troll Grandfather, an epic adventure about a nine-year-old girl named Sandy Nardini and her grandfather. Sandy is not please she has to stay with her grandfather for the summer, but one night discovers a secret that will change her life — her grandpa is a troll! The two set out on a dangerous journey filled with mythology, magic and a dragon!
Rick Scott & Nico Rhodes MUSIC & LAUGHTER Family Series Sunday Oct 20, 3pm Rick and Nico return for a kid-friendly performance. When Rick performs for children, he always hopes one child might have a life changing moment and decide, ‘I can do this too!’ Nico Rhodes was such a child. Rick came to his school when he was eight and Nico wrote him a fan letter. Rick wrote back with advice about the tooth fairy. “Playing songs from my childhood with my musical mentor is the most fun I’ve ever had on stage, and the audience gets to join in the merriment,” said Nico.
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ARTS
2019
2020 season
MAMBO & Other Works by Ballet Kelowna Dance November 8, 7:30 p.m. Nine dancers perform a mixed program of three works by BC-based choreographers commissioned by Ballet Kelowna. The show ranges from mesmerizing traditional and contemporary ballet enpointe to fiery Argentine tango-inspired dance set to Vivaldi, Latin, swing and jazz.
Leela Gilday Music
Le Vent du Nord Music
November 15, 7:30 p.m.
November 24, 7:30 p.m.
A passionate singer/songwriter with a voice straight from the heart, Leela Gilday weaves her experiences as a member of the Dene Nation and a traveler into beautiful music that transports the listener.
A leading force in Quebec’s progressive francophone folk music, award winning Le Vent du Nord’s vast repertoire draws from traditional sources and original compositions. The result is a hard-driving, soulful sound featuring button accordion, guitar, fiddle and the earthy-soundy hurdy-gurdy. On stage, these friends create intense, joyful and dynamic live performances that expand the bounds of tradition.
“I have travelled all over this world and the songs I have brought forward … I feel deeply resonate with so many people,” Gilday said.
tickets are available online at revelstokeartscouncil.com, at the revelstoke visitors centre or at the door. 13
SPORTS
The Grizzlies warm up for their 2019-2020 campaign at the Revelstoke Forum. Photo: Matt Timmins
Grizzlies have the bar set high By Matthew Timmins
They won the KIJHL league championship. Then they won the Cyclone Taylor Cup provincial championship. So what’s next for the Revelstoke Grizzlies? That’s the position the Junior B team that filled up the Revelstoke Forum night after night last season are in. But GM Ryan Parent is confident the Grizzlies will remain a contender this year. “What some people forget is we were really good the year before, too. We went right to the finals,” Parent says. “This past year we won the league, we won the Cyclone. The bar is set. We want to be a pinnacle team in the league, year after year. That would be the goal.” This year the Grizzlies will have some changes throughout the entire franchise, from coaching personnel to players. Guys who have become household names in the Forum over the last four years like Ullar Wiatska and Tommy Bodtker have moved on, and a group of new young guns have come in to fill their shoes. Here’s a guide to the new squad:
Who’s back? Beginning behind the bench, Lukas Lomicky has replaced Parent as head coach. Parent, who won the league’s coach of the year in 2018, and the division coach of the year in 2019, will
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continue to be the GM and President of the team. Lomicky has been the Grizzlies assistant coach for the last two years and has coached in both junior and pro levels in the Czech Republic before joining the Grizzlies. “We wanted to maintain the continuity in our program,” says Parent. “So having Lukas step in has given us the opportunity to maintain (that) continuity. The players are familiar with Lukas … he’s a very experienced guy, he has a masters degree in coaching, he’s coached in the pro and junior level, so he’s very good.” Lomicky, who coached the Karlovy Vary team in the professional Czech Extraliga before the Grizzlies, says he’s excited to make the move to head coach, but says that not much will really be changing, as they will still be playing Grizzlies hockey. “I think we are going to be a little bit of a different team than last year. I think we are much younger, so it’s going to be about the development of those kids,” Lomicky says. “Our forwards are almost all brand new, so that will be a challenge for us, but most players coming in, we can see potential, and we can teach them how to play the Grizzlies way.” Another familiar face returning is 19-year-old Colorado-born goaltender Noah Desouza. Last year he had 15 wins and two losses serving as the Grizzlies
SPORTS backup. Lomicky says he’s a solid goaltender and they will look to him to be the Grizzlies starter this year. On offence, the team will have Cody Flann returning for his third year in a Grizzlies jersey. Flann finished last season with 55 points, the second highest on the team, and will again be one of the leaders to keep an eye on. The other two forwards returning to add some leadership are Cash Sawchyn and Revelstoke’s own Raymond Speerbrecker. The Grizzlies defence will also continue to have hometown players Matt Cadden, Rider McCallum and Dalton Irvine returning from the championship roster, as well as Brenden Vulcano and Jordan Kohlman.
Young guns to watch Parent says one guy to watch this year is rookie forward Cody Quinton. He’s done some ‘early damage’ this pre-season, the GM says, and he hopes that will translate into some goals in the regular season. Another player Parent is excited to have on the team is goaltender Drew Palm. “He’s a new recruit (that’s) been steady back there for us, a new guy in the pipes. So he’ll be a really good addition.” At the time of print, the Parent and Lomicky had not chosen a team captain, but they say that will unfold within the next couple weeks.
“Obviously we have some good leaders in the mix though. I mean, when you go all the way and win, you’ve got leadership throughout your entire room,” Parent says. “If you take a look at some of the returning guys, and even some of the young guys coming in, I think that we’ve got some pretty good leaders in the mix.” One of the keys to staying on track with last season will be getting off to a good start, Parent says. Like last season, the team will have a lot of games on the road early on, and he says they’ll need to be sharp right off the start. Opposing teams will also continue to have the arduous task of playing in the Revelstoke Forum. “Everybody knows it’s a hard place to win against us,” Parent says of the Revelstoke arena. “It’s going to be tough to play against the Revelstoke Grizzlies every night. I think it’s going to be hard to come in and play us.” Lomicky also attested to the advantage of the hometown crowd. “I appreciate the community and the people’s support the last couple years,” he adds. “Because it’s a huge help when you’ve got like 800-1,000 people in the Forum and they cheer for you. It’s like a sixth player on the ice.” Check the Revelstoke Mountaineer events calendar in print and online for Revelstoke Grizzlies home game times.
Photo: Grizzlies meet enthusiastic young gans. Photo: Aaron Orlando
Photo: Matt Timmins
Photo: The Grizzlies celebrate a playoffs goal last season. The team was the best in B.C. last season, earning the Cyclone Taylor Cup tournament victory. Photo: Aaron Orlando
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Revelstoke women’s enduro format race grows in popularity in third year Words and photos by Laura Szanto
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NEWS BRIEFS
Photo: Laura Szanto
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Photo: Laura Szanto
The Revelstoke Women’s Enduro race kicked off in exciting (and muddy) fashion in mid-September, as crowds cheered on pizzas, dragons and disco queens charging through steep technical sections of the trail. Beginner and advanced riders were challenged with a 30-kilometre trail that hosted a variety of tricky root sections and winding berms. The race stretched across two mountains, which started at the Quarry, near the main Macpherson Parking lot and ended at Boulder Mountain on the Logging Leftovers trail. Though it was certainly a demanding race day, the finish line was met with laughter, group hugs and high fives all around. What was rewarding for the event organizers was that there was a record breaking 132 participants this year. Since the introduction of the race in 2017, they have seen over a 300% increase in women signing up for the event, with the vast majority of the riders attending from outside of Revelstoke. This event couldn’t exist without three dedicated locals, Dana Ferguson, Robyn Goldsmith and Jenn Avery, who have worked hard all year round to provide us with an event that includes amazing food, costumes, music, prizes and postrace celebrations (the church dance party was a hit!) After a quick change out of muddy clothes, the girls attended the St. Francis of Assisi Church later in the night to hear the final results, win tons of great prizes and of course, enjoy our very own Mt. Begbie Brewery beer. The overall results were: Open category: Micah Morris came in first, followed by Lindsey Corrigan and Chantal Mathieu in third. In the junior race, Taylor Chruszsz topped the podium, followed by Kate Earle and Sydney Musseau. We spoke with organizer Dana Ferguson to find out more about the inspiration for the event and its evolution over the years. 18
How did the race come to be? The three of us met at Bikes, Beers, Babes, Revelstoke’s weekly women’s social ride. We love riding our bikes, especially with friends, and after racing a few other women’s mountain bike races we decided we wanted to bring that type of event here. It’s competitive but still social, and so much fun. With enduro you’re only timed on the downhill sections, so there’s lots of time to support your friends, laugh and socialize with friends and other riders. It’s become quite popular in the mountain biking world and we are totally on board. There are three of us on the organizing team — Robyn Goldsmith, Jennifer Avery, and Dana Ferguson. We love doing events and work really well as a team. Putting this race on is a dream because we get to create this incredibly fun atmosphere for all our friends (and beyond) and showcase Revelstoke’s amazing mountain biking scene and community.
How has the race progressed over the years? Year one was a trial — we kept it local and modeled it on the Revelstoke Cycling Association “fiver” race series, which costs $5 to enter. There were about 30 women who came out to race in 2017. Once we realized we could bring a lot of people to Revelstoke to race a women’s enduro, we invested a bit of money into marketing and boom. In 2018, the race took off. We sold out with 125 racers in our second year. For year three, we increased capacity to 150, and challenged racers with a bit of a longer course.
OUTDOORS
With a bit of money going into marketing, as well as word-of-mouth, we have been able to attract quite a few participants from out of town for 2018 and 2019. Over 100 riders came this year from outside Revelstoke giving shoulder season tourism a bit of a boost. We’d love to keep this momentum year after year.
What does it take to run a successful race? There’s a lot more going on before the starting line and after the finish. Having the community on our side is one of the most important things. We could not run this race without the help of our 40-plus volunteers who have shown up with not only their time, but incredible enthusiasm as well. It’s so cool to have 100-plus people from out of town show up to the race and be blown away with how great the community support is. Local businesses as well have donated amazing prizes that bring so much value to the race, and will keep racers coming back year after year. Support from the RCA and Tourism Revelstoke has been crucial. And time management is our friend — as soon as our 2018 race was finished, we got together to debrief and immediately started planning for 2019. Between setting up the after party, liaising with sponsors and partners, figuring out race course route, emailing with participants, organizing volunteers, and so much more, we all keep quite busy through the summer leading up to the race. Thankfully we work very well together as a team, and can play to each of our strengths (and schedules) well.
What are racers looking for in a race these days? I think this depends on the rider. We have racers with different levels of skill and experience. For some it’s their first race, while others are seasoned riders looking to podium. We try to include a variety of types of riding, such as faster flowy segments as well as more technical downhill sections, so that hopefully everyone has at least one stage they love. Our goal is for everyone to be able to push their limits and challenge themselves in a fun, positive, encouraging atmosphere. We try to keep riders happy with great food, amazing volunteers, costumes, music, a great dance party afterward, and usually some surprises along the way.
What are you working on for future races? We’ve already started talking about Saturday, September 12, 2020 and how to improve for next year. One thing we want to focus on is getting more junior riders involved and seeing the progression of our repeat riders.
Photo: Laura Szanto
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NEWS
Plans emerge for backcountry chalet and ski hut on Mount Begbie Proponents of ‘Begbie Alpine Chalet’ proposing a backcountry chalet and a separate hut on Mount Begbie. By Aaron Orlando
Fireworks watchers look towards Centennial Park and Mount Begbie at the 2017 Canada Day festivities. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
Mount Begbie, located across the Columbia River from downtown Revelstoke, is often described as our “iconic” mountain. From almost anywhere in town, you can look up to see its glaciers bathing in the moonlight. When future Revelstoke residents look up, will they also catch a glimmer of light coming from an upscale dining room perched high up the mountain? Possibly. A development group has just shared early plans for two backcountry accommodation buildings on the mountain, and planned a September 25 open house to learn more and give feedback. (That meeting came after our October press time.)
Some background
Ian Tomm
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Rumours of plans for some kind of active ski development plan on the mountain have been circulating around Revelstoke in recent years, possibly including plans for a gondola. They were the subject of this story from the October 2018 issue of Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine. In the story, journalist Alex Cooper talked with spokesperson Ian Tomm, who said he was exploring ideas with a group interested in backcountry recreation development, but he emphasized the project was at an early, exploratory stage. Tomm is a fairly well known figure in Revelstoke, both in town and more so in the backcountry recreation indus-
try. He’s worked in the guiding field in a number capacities, and recently he served in a high-profile position as executive director of HeliCat Canada, a helicopter and snowcat industry group that, among other things, lobbies government on policy issues. Locally, he’s been involved in plans to develop an indoor climbing gym, which is now fundraising in partnership with the squash club for a multiplex facility. He also once contributed an opinion column that was published in an issue of our magazine. In the column, he argued for reforms to the B.C. backcountry tenure system. Tomm said he is one of three proponents of the project, along with Tom Ebbern and Nick Holmes-Smith. They are calling the proposal the Begbie Alpine Chalet. Last year, we interviewed Tomm for our story about a development project on Mount Begbie. At the time, there was discussion of a possible gondola on the mountain, something Tomm said is now no longer being considered. He said the current group and their initiative is different from his previous work with other proponents. “This project is unaffiliated with the resort project I was working on last year,” he said. Nick Holmes-Smith, the owner/operator of Mustang Powder, a CAT skiing operation west of Revelstoke, contacted the Mountaineer in the summer, saying the group planned to announce their project and public consultation soon.
mountain pass a key test for community interest: Would people strike up a conversation about it at a local shop? The answer is yes. It’s also a popular recreation site in summer, when hikers trek to the summit. In winter, backcountry recreationists of several stripes access the area, including on sleds. In our interview, Tomm noted there is currently a lot of varied activity on the mountain, and a significant amount of helicopter use. In their social media feeds, many Revelstoke residents have likely seen pictures of newlyweds posing for photos in the Begbie alpine. Hikers get heli-boots to the alpine to skip over the long hike in the trees. The list goes on. Building and servicing the site will require a lot of horsepower. Tomm said the servicing will likely be done by helicopters, similar to the many other backcountry lodges in the area. He said the proponents are open to exploring community service agreements, such as for upgrading trails. Earlier this year, the North Columbia Environmental Society (NCES) petitioned the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area B director, David Brooks-Hill, requesting that the regional government seek protection for the mountain. At the time, the group cited the iconic nature of the mountain, and
What are the plans? There aren’t many details yet. The group published a website for the proposed Begbie Alpine Chalet, but it doesn’t contain a lot of information. You can also sign up for email notifications via the website. The plan calls for two separate buildings at a location roughly 100 to 200 metres up from the existing campsite. That campsite is popular with hikers climbing to the summit; they camp there overnight before doing the final alpine leg to the summit the next day. The proponents describe the first building as a 16-person alpine club-style hut with a group kitchen and dorm-style accommodations. Tomm said the hut is would be comparable to other backcountry huts in the area. “Sort of your typical alpine hut-style hut,” he said. The plan is to construct that building first, Tomm said. The second proposed building is an alpine chalet with 16 private rooms, en suite bathrooms and catered dining. Tomm said the plan is to create an “upscale” facility “best envisioned as a backcountry hotel.” He said there are no plans to offer heli-skiing at the location, and that the type of tenure the group plans to apply for doesn’t allow for heli-skiing. Tomm said winter activities would include backcountry skiing and snowshoeing, for example. At the time of writing, there wasn’t any
noted the area is habitat for many kinds of flora and fauna. The society sought a restriction on fossil fuel engines. Tomm met with the NCES board late last year to discuss an earlier iteration of the Begbie development concept. The NCES request to the regional district rep to seek protection for Mount Begbie came several months later. In a growing Revelstoke with a growing backcountry scene, land use issues come to the fore frequently. The conversations often lead to a call for better land use planning, something that has been difficult to achieve because it requires getting many levels of government on the same page. In the meantime, the provincial processes can be alienating, spilling over ill will onto the proponents themselves. On the other hand, sometimes fairly big development plans come and go with little notice. Is that because residents feel whatever is proposed is fine, or because the consultation process is troubled, leading them to disengage? The mountain means a lot to many Revelstokians, so it seems likely there will be a lot of public interest in the project. The Mountaineer’s October/November press time came after the Sept. 25 consultation meeting; check online at revelstokemountaineer.com for more on the public reaction to the plan.
more information on the website other that what’s covered here. Currently, the group has not filed an application with the provincial authorities. Tomm said he had been meeting in private with various stakeholders on the concept. Tomm said the site in question is about 4.5 acres.
What’s happening now? The proponents held an open house at the Revelstoke Community & Aquatic Centre on Sept. 25. Tomm said the intent of the meeting was to gather feedback from the community on the plan. “This is pre-consultation with the public,” Tomm said. “We want to present the idea and have the discussion before our application to government. “There’s going to be a fair bit of discussion on the specifics of the facility,” Tomm said. “We’re there to listen. Everyone is going to be open to hearing lots of different perspectives.”
Proposal likely to generate conversation Mount Begbie is Revelstoke’s highly visible alpine peak; it has captured the imagination of Revelstoke residents for generations. Plans for a chalet on the
Mount Begbie. Photo: Aaron Orlando
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NEWS
Big Revelstoke turnout for climate strike events
Climate strike protesters gather in front of Revelstoke City Hall for a Sept. 20 demonstration that coincided with international protests. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
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LUNA NOCTURNAL ART & WONDER
Young demonstrators make signs . Photo: Aaron Orlando
REVELSTOKE, BC
Local climate change protests coincide with global movement A crowd of over 500 gathered in front of Revelstoke City Hall on Sept. 20 for a climate protest event that coincided with large climate strike protests around the globe. The event saw a big turnout from local schools, including students from all elementary schools and a smaller contingent of high school-aged students. On Mackenzie Avenue, organizers of the event set up information booths that featured science displays from students and booths from local environment-related organizations. School staff participated in the event, helping organize with the students. Many downtown shops closed for the lunch hour in solidarity with the event. Younger children drew climate
change-related messages on the sidewalk while older students created signs for the protest. Both the high school and elementary school students rallied on the steps of city hall, giving speeches and imploring action from leaders. They pointed out the urgent need to take action to halt the acceleration of greenhouse gas emissions immediately in order to prevent scenarios where feedback loops, such as the melting of the Canadian permafrost, would release more GHGs and contribute to runaway, uncontrollable climate change and environmental disaster. Another climate strike event was planned for city hall on Sept. 27, after our October issue deadline.
TO ALL THE ARTISTS, VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS, PARTICIPANTS, GUESTS AND CHAMPIONS OF LUNA...
THANK YOU! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR
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FEATURE A hike into the Jumbo Valley. Photo: Dan Walton
Jumbo reflections on small-town reporting By Nicole Erika Trigg I remember the moment I first heard about Jumbo. The year was 2001. After a series of unexpected twists and turns, life had unceremoniously dumped me on a cutblock somewhere in the East Kootenay backcountry and I found myself tree-planting — something I had sworn I would never do again. It would have been my eighth year planting trees, but within a week I was catching a ride to the highway, then a bus to the nearest town, which happened to be Invermere. The nice guy running the local hostel hooked me up with a landscaping job at Panorama Mountain Resort. Accommodation was included and I spent a few days digging ditches with the crew made up of ski bums who were trying to convince me to stay for the winter. I was deep in a ditch with a shovel in hand, looking up at the foreman standing above me on a mound of dirt as he told me about a place in the mountains called Jumbo, how there were plans to build a ski resort there that a lot of people were fighting. He seemed disconsolate and worried, and I recall feeling the same. But I didn’t end up staying. I moved back to Vancouver and became a journalist. It was 10 years later — almost to the day — when another twist of fate brought me back to Invermere, this time to be the editor of the Invermere Valley Echo newspaper. Just like that, I re-entered the Jumbo war zone, this time with a front row seat to the front line. Soon I began receiving a steady stream of visitors to my office who wanted to talk to me about one thing and one thing only.
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First it was the local representative for the resort proponent, Glacier Resorts Ltd. He was a former ski racing coach who, back in the ‘70s, had conceived the idea of building a ski resort in Jumbo Valley and almost got tenure to do it, but went headto-head with RK Heliski over it and lost. In the ‘80s, when architect Oberto Oberti started sleuthing around the Kootenays looking for a site to build Canada’s first four-season glacier ski resort, the two connected and Jumbo Ski Resort was reinvigorated and resurrected. I heard the full story firsthand. Next were the organizing protesters. One by one, they all made it unequivocally clear that a 5,500-bed ski resort in Jumbo Creek Valley was an affront to everything the region held dear and it would never happen. When you study journalism, you learn how crucial objectivity is. Insert yourself and your personal views into a story and you break the cardinal rule of reporting. I had no idea which way this issue would go, but I knew that in order to survive my job, I had to stay neutral, be open to both sides of the debate, and communicate this in each and every story. When I wrote a random editorial criticizing the Botox industry and a reader angrily accused me of having an anti-Jumbo bias, I discovered two things: that I had my work cut out for me, and that every argument led back to Jumbo. That year — 2012 — proved to be an eventful one in the multi-decade Jumbo saga. French ski industry experts and potential investors on a helicopter tour of the proposed resort
This page: Pro- and anti- Jumbo protesters get vocal at one of many demonstrations held over the controversial proposal. Photos: Pat Morrow
site were greeted by anti-Jumbo protesters holding signs and banners and a huge “Jumbo Wild” message spray-painted in the snow that was visible from the air. Then-premier Christy Clark approved a Master Development Agreement (MDA) for the resort, and the creation and incorporation of Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality was announced. A mayor and two councillors were appointed, and the Ktunaxa First Nation responded by launching a lawsuit against the provincial government for approving the MDA on their sacred territory. The next year The Valley Echo merged with its competitor The Columbia Valley Pioneer, and when I became the editor of both the reporting on Jumbo Glacier Resort intensified. Jumbo council meetings began; the first bylaw permitting construction was passed; and anti-Jumbo protesters set up a watchdog camp on the access road in. Each week, the letters to the editor section erupted with anti and pro sentiments. More and more, I felt like the rope in a giant tug-of-war between the pro and anti sides. Whenever I ran a Jumbo story, guaranteed I could expect angry emails or disapproving comments from both, each aghast that the other was
being portrayed as having any credibility at all. My publisher would point out that with both sides unhappy, I was doing a great job at being an unbiased news editor. It was hardly consoling. I steered clear of talking about Jumbo outside of work (though in reality there is no “outside of work” time in community reporting — you’re fair game to anyone on the street who recognizes your picture from the paper and wants to tell you what they think). By that point I had grown accustomed to seeing the Jumbo articles I wrote and assigned being picked up by media across the Kootenays; being contacted by bigger media outlets wanting the local scoop had also become a regular occurrence. What I never got used to was the deep, toxic resentment that had split the local community in two. There was no way to accurately gauge what percentage was pro and what was against; Jumbo Glacier Resort had just become so divisive that even talking about it was taboo for many who wanted to avoid interpersonal conflict and even loss of business. Tension peaked in 2014. The Ktunaxa’s 2012 lawsuit was dismissed by the BC Supreme Court; and heavy trucks and machinery rolled into the Upper Jumbo Valley in late Septem-
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FEATURE
ber. Workers starting pouring foundations for a day lodge and service building and did some clearing for a ski lift line just weeks ahead of the proponent’s October 12 “substantial start”. A protest rally in Jumbo Valley attracted local police presence. Then the tipping point came in early 2015: in April the Environmental Assessment Office determined the foundations were partially within an avalanche hazard zone and consequently not compliant with the project’s environmental assessment certificate. Two months later B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak ruled that the Jumbo Glacier Resort project was not substantially started enough to keep its environmental assessment certificate. That fall, Patagonia released the Jumbo Wild documentary, which was quickly picked up by Netflix, Within weeks of its release it was among the top ten most viewed on Netflix in both Canada and the USA., and Patagonia’s entire winter catalogue was dedicated to the Jumbo issue. The future had never looked so bright to anti-resort protesters and it seemed like the writing was on the wall. By the time I made my exit from community journalism in early 2017, the roar around Jumbo had subsided to the occasional squeak. It took until June 2018 before Glacier Resorts’ challenge to the substantial start decision made it before the B.C. Supreme Court, and the court sided with the proponent, overturning the minister’s 2015 ruling. Ecojustice, the environmental law group representing Wildsight and Jumbo Creek Conservation Society in their ongoing legal battle against Glacier Resorts, swiftly came back with an appeal. The battle was back in full swing. I have to admit it was nice to have an emotional reaction that I didn’t have to immediately temper in order to properly do my job when I read the news on August 6, 2019 that the B.C. Court of Appeal had reversed the Supreme Court’s decision and upheld the determination that the Jumbo Glacier Resort was not “substantially started”, effectively rendering the environmental certificate invalid for once and for all. Instead, I grinned ear to ear, recalling the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach on that day long ago when I first started wading into the Jumbo debate and was shown the resort blueprints — map after map of chairlift after chairlift scarring the beautiful Jumbo Valley mountains. My grin became a ‘woop!’ on August 29, 2019 when I read the federal government’s announcement that the Ktunaxa First Nation would receive over $16 million in funding over four years for the development of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area in the Jumbo Valley that would recognize it as their sacred Qatmuk traditional territory and conserve it as grizzly bear habitat in perpetuity. I might have even done a little happy dance when no one was watching. Shhh.
Nicole Trigg is a freelance journalist and communications consultant based in the Columbia Valley passionate about self-propelled backcountry recreation and conserving connectivity for wildlife. Photos: Top: a road building crew punches through to the Jumbo site. Bottom: This is about as far as the resort got on the ground. Opponents derided the construction work as a weak attempt at meeting a partial completion requirement. Eventually, the location was determined to be in an avalanche path, one of many setbacks in the projects long history. Photos: Dan Walton. Top right: A view of the valley. Photo: file photo
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As Revelstoke grows and changes, so do we
TM
Chris Johnston and Melissa Klages would like to welcome two new lawyers to the firm: Tanner Hinman and Michael Schadinger. The firm provides a full range of high quality legal services in the areas of: criminal law, business sales and purchases, real estate sales and purchases (anywhere in BC), Powers of Attorney, Representation Agreements, Estates, personal injury, incorporation, divorce, separation and cohabitation agreements.
Melissa Klages
Chris Johnston
Tanner Hinman
Michael Schadinger
“We appreciate your support and confidence in us over the years.” – Chris Johnston & Associates
2 5 0 8 3 7- 6 17 1
202 First Street East
Re v e l s t o ke B C V 0 E 2 S 0
i n f o @ r e v e l s t o ke l a w y e r. c o m
r e v e l s t o ke l a w y e r. c o m 27
OUTDOORS Ascending McCrae Peak. Photo by Shelley Bird
Club report: Alpine Club of Canada’s Columbia Mountains Section A report from the new Revelstoke based section of the ACC on their first year as an organization Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a new series in the magazine featuring annual updates from community organizations. If you want to contribute an update from your club or organization, please email info@revelstokemountaineer.com.
By Ben Wilkey
Photo: The Youth Program at Hermit Meadows. Photo by Ben Wilkey
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An ambitious idea was hatched last October, when a handful of mountain locals got together and formed the 24th section of the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC). In a matter of weeks the ACC Columbia Mountains Section was official. For those of you that are new to town, or have yet to spend the time pouring over maps, the Columbia Mountains are made up of the Monashee, Selkirk, Purcell and Cariboo mountain ranges. Our new section has filled a long-standing gap in the otherwise extensive network of ACC sections across the country — ironic, to say the least. After all, Rogers Pass was the birthplace of North American Mountaineering well over a hundred years ago. Now one year after its inception, the section is really picking up momentum, with 172 affiliated members and counting! For the section’s first winter, we began organizing and leading beginner and intermediate ski touring trips. The absolute beginner trip made it to the back of Balu in Rogers Pass. Here, participants received an introduction to the world of ski touring outside the boundaries of Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The intermediate trip had participants touring to the Dome Glacier at Rogers Pass. We also ran a successful winter glacier travel and crevasse rescue course that included both classroom and outdoor components. This past summer, we divided our efforts into developing two distinct programs for our section members. First, we organized professionally guided rock and alpine climbing courses, taught by members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). These courses were a huge success; Intro to Traditional Climbing, Rock Rescue, and Intermediate Alpine Climbing to name a few. Our second focus was our youth program. Youth (ages six to 12) took part in introductory rock climbing sessions at the Big Eddy Boulders, alpine hiking trips to Balu Pass and Joss Mountain, and went overnight backpacking to Hermit Meadows and McCrae Lakes. The trip leaders were almost as stoked as the kids, who got to tick off their first real Selkirk summit! Our youth programs have been such a success, this fall we are extending the initiative in a collaborative effort with the City of Revelstoke. By offering afterschool and weekend outdoor activities in our Natural Leaders Program, youth are empowered with outdoor skills such as knot tying, fire building and local plant and animal identification. Other summer events included the beginnings of a local trail stewardship and maintenance program. Section members spent the day working to clear the Mount Begbie recreation trail. We also ran women-specific rock climbing sessions led by volunteer trip leaders. These sessions were open to female climbers of
all abilities and were well attended. The first week of this past August, our section President Karla Kuharic and I had the privilege of attending the ACC General Mountaineering Camp (GMC) in the Westfall Group of the Selkirk Mountains. It was the 113th consecutive year of the GMC. We attended the coveted ACC North Face Leadership Course designed to give active section leaders the opportunity to develop and practice sound mountain leadership skills. The course was in part subsidized by the National ACC organization. We would also like to recognize the support we received from the Columbia Basin Trust through their Basin PLAYS program. This coming winter, the section plans to offer more of the great trips that ran last winter. In addition to offering the foundational Avalanche Skills Training (AST) courses based out of the ACC Wheeler Hut in Rogers Pass, we plan to offer a Winter Leadership course and a spring Shred Camp at our local ACC Asulkan Hut. We are also making plans to offer ice climbing trips. With the section’s first full year behind us, we can reflect and recognize how much we have accomplished. But at the section’s core, the board of directors is still just a small group of local mountain enthusiasts. We know the importance of getting people outside, of helping locals to discover their own backyard in a safe environment. Spending time in these mountains, our Selkirks, develops an appreciation and respect for our wilderness that stays with a person for life. It gives us a sense of ownership, and ultimately, the obligation to stand up for these places when they are threatened by industry and development. If not us, then who? We invite you to help build the momentum of the Columbia Mountains Section. We are actively looking for like-minded individuals to help steer the direction of the section in the coming years. Did you just move to town and want to meet motivated mountain people? Are you good with social media? Do you have an interest in becoming a volunteer trip leader to help build your guiding resume? Do you like working with youth outdoors? Do you have a strong appreciation for our local hiking trails and want to help get the trail stewardship program rolling? Are you good at writing grant proposals? Do you want to help with grassroots environmental activism to protect our mountains? What about establishing a good working relationship with local retail shops and businesses? Do you have skills in organizing and realizing local fundraising events? If you possess any of these skills and interests, we would love to hear from you. Contact us through our website (acccolumbiamountains.com), and stay up to date with upcoming events on the ACC Columbia Mountains Facebook group page. See you in the hills.
ENTERTAINMENT
Woodstoke: A celebration of local art, music, nature ‘There was a sense of homely familiarity about the place, made more pertinent by the recognizable faces, sounds, and artwork that populated the area.’ By Louise Stanway Revelstoke residents of all ages gathered in the woods near the BC Interior Forestry Museum for Woodstoke; a community celebration of art, music, and nature. The event was organized by the BC Interior Forestry Museum to mark the official opening of the Interpretive Riverside Forest Trail. “How did we not know that this place existed?” – were the words on many people’s tongues as they approached the spacious entrance arena. The clearing featured multiple food vendors, bouncy castle, a beer garden, and the main stage. There was a sense of homely familiarity about the place, made more pertinent by the recognizable faces, sounds, and
DJ Yanimal plays to crowds at Woodstoke. Photo: Louise Stanway/Revelstoke Mountaineer
“A little further into the forest, away from the hollers and cheers of the entrance, was an acoustic stage nestled deep in the trees” artwork that populated the area. The event had three different stages that were woven together via the new trail. The Highway Stage (at the entrance) boasted rock music from local bands such as Partial To Pie, Catnado &; the Subaneers, and Maritime Kitchen Party. A little further into the forest, away
Age 19 +
Celebrating in the new forest walk area. Photo: Louise Stanway
from the hollers and cheers of the entrance, was an acoustic stage nestled deep in the trees. Attendees peacefully sat on log-stumps and relaxed to the sounds of Stacie Kathleen, Steve Smith and other local musicians. Only a short distance (a five-minute walk) along the riverbank from the acoustic Riverside Stage, a totally different scene unraveled. Local DJs such as Dexaville, Huws Who, Yanimal and Wes-side were spinning heavy electronic beats to all ages and everyone was digging it (some, more literally than others). In between the stages, the walking trail was peppered with local art displays that seemed at home in the forest. Local artists Hayley Stewart and Peter Blackmore were live-painting at the event and encouraging attendees to try their hand. So what does it all mean? Interestingly enough, this new trail (and subsequently, Woodstoke) was formed in the wake of natural disaster. A heavy storm in the fall of 2017 left tracks of devastation in the area. According to Glenn Westrup, the organizer and Director of the BCIFM, it initially looked like the aftermath of an explosion. The focus of this new interpretive trail, therefore, is to give new life and purpose to the area. The BCIFM board is hoping to see this space utilized for future community events. Judging from the success of Woodstoke, it seems likely that this space will be revisited. For more information about the BC Interior Forestry Museum and access to the trail, visit their website at bcforestrymuseum.ca.
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ESSAY
Why is everyone talking to me? A look at Scandinavians and their struggle with Canadian conversation By Vilja Arnsteinsdatter Linguistics and culture are peculiar concepts. Going about our daily lives, we tend to pay them little mind. But when thrown into unknown environments, our senses become heightened to differences in our surroundings, linguistic shortcomings and cultural oddities. That which one culture lacks, another makes up for in abundance. And so it is with the (lack of) Scandinavian conversational practice and the bountiful Canadian word exchange. “Hey, how’s it going?” I casually throw out to the store clerk at Save-On, and we merrily chat away about trivialities for a few minutes while I pay for my groceries. I can pick up a conversation with just about anyone now. But it took a while getting to this point. Before moving to Canada and Revelstoke, I thought of myself I was a well-traveled, open-minded person that I had an understanding of most cultures and that I would have zero issues living in foreign lands. While this was partially true – I had visited a fair few countries and I did have a very open mind – I was not prepared for the cultural clash I was about to experience. Canada never struck me as being too different from Norway. Mountains, rivers, and lakes, small towns, expensive flights and long
distances. A functioning health care system. Similar indeed. Yet culturally, there’s an ocean between us. Scandinavians keep to themselves. We don’t approach anyone unless we need something, based solely on the principle that we should not bother others. No one will strike up a random conversation with you while waiting in line at or sitting at a café. But here, anyone can and will talk to you: walking down Mackenzie, grabbing a coffee at The Modern, or sitting down for a cold one at the Bierhaus — conversation will be all around you. This took some time getting used to. There is no real equivalent of “How are you?” in Norwegian. Sure, we will ask our friends how they are doing, genuinely wanting to know, but there’s no conversation starter or opening line of the sorts. A simple “How are you?” and its derivatives “How’s it going?” is incredibly useful. From a linguistic perspective, surely having such an amazing tool to throw around at any time has contributed to this easy-going conversational culture. From a Scandinavian perspective, it makes everything take twice as long. And we don’t know how to handle it. We’re sufficient people, giving
Norway images: Unsplash Collage: Sonia Garcia/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
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one-worded replies and avoiding any and all small-talk. One can easily be perceived as rude — quite the opposite of what your standard Canadian will be perceived as. Whenever I meet Scandinavians abroad, I experience some excitement and a sense of familiarity and belonging. I want to know exactly where they are from, why they are here, where they are going. And it’s usually a lot of fun to switch to a Scandinavian language mid-conversation and bask in their surprise. I used to do that a lot, but not anymore. These days, I don’t always reveal that I am, in fact, one of their countrymen. Because that’s when the conversation ends. As fun as it is to see the bewilderment on their face, nothing good comes from it. Without the “How are you?” to kick things off, our meek “hvordan går det/hur är läget,” normally reserved for friends and family, doesn’t do the trick. From the free-flowing river that is an English conversation, you’re left with a trickling creek slowly ebbing out and dissipating into someone suddenly having to leave.
“And I genuinely love this newfound territory of talking to anyone you’d like”
We all love hearing about our own country’s quirks. We enjoy the cultural misunderstandings and misconceptions and we take pride in getting upset over trivial matters. I proudly declared that no, Finland is not a part of Scandinavia, and yes, Scandinavia does have three different languages. I’ll happily state, “It really is precisely like that!” when seeing a funny reference about something strange that Norwegians do. And now, after three years in this country, I find myself proudly commenting on my friend’s Norwegianness whenever they don’t want to hang out somewhere because there are other people around, when they choose to stand on the bus because someone’s sitting in the window seat and when they collect and take home whatever’s left of what they brought to the dinner party (even nearly empty bottles of wine). There’s plenty of other things it took me a while getting used to, and some I have grown to cherish. I still find tipping, for instance, an odd practice. It’s peculiar, yet useful, that you can turn right on a red light if the road is clear.
I’m forever frustrated by the choice of doorknobs over the much more user-friendly door handle. Just like pretty much any foreigner, I don’t appreciate that the price you see is not the price you pay. I’m actually very fond of the extreme politeness and the abundance of thank you, please, and sorry. And I genuinely love this newfound territory of talking to anyone you’d like. It’s been a few years now, and I’ve grown accustomed to all these things. I’ll admit, occasionally I wish to be left alone, to not have to chat with anyone, and not have to answer “I’m good, thanks, and you?” when I am, in fact, not good at all. But in truth, this small but major cultural difference is the one I have embraced the most since moving here. Once enabled to talk to anyone, there is no limit to who you can get to know, and what you can discover. So in my opinion, Canadians can have as much hygge as you please, you can fill your homes with Nordic minimalism, and you can keep skiing our skinny skis. I’m stealing your conversation starters.
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NEWS
A look at the Trans-Canada Highway Avalanche Mitigation Project Project marks first avalanche infrastructure upgrades since 1978
Each day thousands of vehicles drive along a 97 kilometre stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway, through Glacier National Park, known as Rogers Pass. It’s an integral part of the national transportation corridor, that both local and Canadian economies rely on. In the summer, the winding, undivided stretch of highway is challenging enough. Add an annual 10 metres of snowfall on average, and driving through the pass often becomes a white-knuckle, two-handson-the-wheel experience. It is, after all, a section of highway that regularly claims lives during the winter months due to poor road conditions and those unfamiliar with mountain driving. What most highway users don’t see is the joint efforts of Parks Canada’s Avalanche Control Services, avalanche professionals and the Canadian Armed Forces to keep an incredibly difficult 40-kilometre stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway open and safe from avalanche hazards during the winter. With 134 avalanche paths, this section of the Trans-Canada Highway is one of the most challenging transportation corridors in the world. Parks Canada maintains overall responsibility for the avalanche control and highway safety program, having been responsible for this particular section of highway since the 1960s. In 2015 Parks Canada began making infrastructure improvements as part of the Trans-Canada Highway Avalanche Mitigation Project. Prior to these improvements, the last avalanche control infrastructure project took place in 1978, with the construction of the Single Bench snowshed. In May, 2019 Catherine McKenna, Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the installation of an Avalanche Detection Network on the Trans-Canada Highway in Glacier National Park. Completion of the Avalanche Detection Network, the first of its kind in Canada and the largest, most 32
extensive network in the world, is set for 2019/2020. The network uses radar and infra-sound technology to provide real-time information and provide early warning of increasing avalanche activity. Upgrades being completed as part of the avalanche safety network include: -Installation of 10 Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS) which allow technicians to trigger explosives using a wireless device for controlled avalanche mitigation; -Installation of 2,200 metres of netting that holds snow in place where avalanches would traditionally start; -Addition of a westbound passing lane from the summit of Rogers Pass to the Illecillewaet Curve; -Rehabilitation of existing static defence systems – dams or berms to catch or deflect avalanche debris – as well as construction of additional earthen mounds to help prevent avalanches from reaching the highway; -Expanded vehicle holding areas for use during highway closures and avalanche control; -Structural repairs to snow sheds over the highway, along with the installation of new LED lighting; -Highway paving and turning lane improvements throughout Rogers Pass; -Maintenance of catchment basins that protect the highway from spring mud flow in the Beaver Valley; and -Ecological gains such as improved aquatic connectivity through Rogers Pass for fish like native bull trout by replacing aging highway culverts. The upgrades and improvements add on to already existing avalanche mitigation technology, including the Canadian Armed Forces Operation PALACI. Each year, from November to April, the Canadian Armed Forces send to groups of 15 to 20 members from the Royal Canadian Artillery to run the world’s largest mobile avalanche control program. So why the need for so many different types of avalanche mitigation along Rogers Pass? Chris Ague, an avalanche
Troops from 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery load the 105-mm C3 Howitzer gun at Rogers Pass, British Columbia. Photo: Rob Buchanan/Parks Canada
Avalanche barriers at Rogers Pass. Photo
By Melissa Jameson
Photo: Highways workers trigger a controlled avalanche in Rogers Pass. Image: Parks Canada
TOURISM TALKS Hi! We’re Tourism Revelstoke. Maybe you follow us on Instagram (@seerevelstoke, #therealstoke) or you’ve seen some of our work. We are a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), which is exactly what it sounds like: we promote Revelstoke as a year-round destination of choice and inspire travellers to experience our mountain community. It’s our job to generate buzz about Revelstoke by building a recognizable brand, marketing Revelstoke, recruiting media to Revelstoke, and supporting events that attract people to Revelstoke. Tourism Revelstoke’s job is to serve as the leader to deliver on an established tourism vision in order to develop a unified destination experience. We all live and breathe Revelstoke and are committed to our community. We recognize residents as the heart of our tourism strategy, and are excited to have locals engage with us and our vision.
Photo: Avalanche technicians install new monitoring equipment. Photo: Parks Canada
specialist with Dynamic Avalanche Consulting, explains the Trans-Canada Highway Avalanche Mitigation Project is meant to look at all aspects of avalanche control and identify key areas where improvements can be made. The main priorities of the project are improving safety and reliability of the highway. “First, it’s the safety of the users and workers, and second just overall reliability. There was a study done in 2010 that looked holistically at the corridor from Sicamous to the Alberta border,” said Ague. “A number of those recommendations from that report have been implemented since then.” Ague said the need for both artillery and static avalanche defence structures helps reduce highway closure times. As an example, snowsheds are prioritized along sections of the highway affected by avalanches multiple times per year. In this case, debris from planned avalanches set off by remote artillery will flow over the snowshed, increasing the reliability of the highway. “There is also a component of risk management that comes into play where if you do have an unexpected natural avalanche that occurs there’s protection
that’s afforded to motorists,” said Argue. BC Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena recently announced the final phase of the Trans-Canada Kicking Horse Canyon project east of Golden. The project will see that section of the highway go from two lanes to four. In an email to Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine, Parks Canada spokesperson Shelley Bird said there are currently no Trans-Canada twinning projects in place for Mount Revelstoke or Glacier National Parks. Safety improvements have been made, however, including the addition of more than five kilometres of westbound passing lane in the Illecillewaet curve area of Rogers Pass.
Tourism Revelstoke is a non-profit DMO driven by the Revelstoke Accommodation Association (RAA) and the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce (RCOC); our relationship is admittedly a bit confusing. RCOC delivers valuable services, business advocacy and events to their membership and community at large. RAA is a group of 20+ local accommodators, and works with other local stakeholders on tourism marketing initiatives. RAA and RCOC work together to help local businesses thrive and share in the economic benefits of tourism.
Our organizational structure might help you understand our make up a bit better.
The economic impact of increased tourism flows through Revelstoke and benefits our community as a whole. Tourism is capable of achieving steady health and growth while making significant contributions to Revelstoke on a long-term basis. Last year tourism generated $770,000 through the MRDT (we’ll get into the MRDT in a later column). Of that funding, $193,000 went into visitor servicing, community groups, and local event funding. $310,00 went to marketing intiatives for Revelstoke, and $132,000 went to improving city access and transportation within town. Look for our column each month in the Mountaineer. We’ll be filling you in on important touism related topics and helping you understand a little more about where tourism dollars come from and where they go.
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NEWS
Plans for a downtown winter shelter draws concerns Neighbourhood consultation on proposed 10-bed winter overnight shelter on Mackenzie Avenue jumps the gun, leading to concerns from some residents
News of a proposed temporary winter shelter in downtown Revelstoke has garnered a considerable amount of public attention in the past month. With several organizations involved in the planning for the shelter, the Mountaineer decided to take a look at who the key players are, along with their respective roles.
and overseeing operations, the RWSS would also provide support to clients attending the temporary winter shelter who are identified as women and children fleeing abuse.
Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society
Simply put, BC Housing holds the purse strings. They’ll provide the finances needed to run the proposed program should the RWSS successfully meet all the requirements set out by the city to transform the basement of the United Church into a space for the shelter. A draft proposal prepared by the RWSS also notes BC Housing would provide funds for any necessary capital upgrades to the church. In an email to the Mountaineer, a BC Housing spokesperson said they have not yet received a request for funding for the temporary winter shelter. Loeppky explained this is because BC Housing has asked the RWSS to procure all of the necessary approvals from the city before submitting a proposal. “It’s a bit of a Catch-22. They want council to approve the site prior to the funding request,” said Loeppky. “Currently RWSS has agreed to hold the contract if the funding is approved from BC Housing, but that can’t be done until council approves.”
The Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society is the central player when it comes to the proposed temporary winter shelter. Should all of the requirements be met for the winter shelter to begin operation, the RWSS would hold the contract with BC Housing to deliver the winter shelter program including overseeing all of the financial and human resource aspect, as well as hiring and training staff and volunteers to work at the shelter. The RWSS offered to take on the proposed program contract after executive director Lynn Loeppky approached the shelter society’s board of directors. Loeppky also sits on a subcommittee of the city’s Social Development Committee’s poverty reduction working group, where discussions on the need for a winter shelter in Revelstoke have been ongoing for some time. Prior to this a few other non-profit organizations were approached to potentially oversee operations of a winter shelter, but without success. Loeppky said the temporary winter shelter is a good fit for the RWSS as they are already familiar with the ins and outs of operating a shelter. In addition to holding the contract 34
BC Housing
Revelstoke United Church On paper, the church’s role is quite simple: provide the necessary space for
city council recently gave approval for the RWSS and BC Housing to begin a neighbourhood consultation, but no timeline has been officially given. The city also needs to provide approval of a temporary use permit for the shelter. That could take some time, however, given that council approved a recommendation from staff to update the current bylaw in order to meet the provincial requirements for temporary use permits. There are also several other city departments involved in the project, including the department of community economic development, which oversees the social development committee that has, in many ways, led the charge in getting a shelter up and running in Revelstoke. This has brought about concerns surrounding the city’s role around accountability should problems arise with the proposed shelter. In discussion with city council at their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 27, director of development services Marianne Wade said a temporary use permit has conditions that go with it. If those conditions aren’t met the permit can be revoked, although doing so would require council’s approval. Council members also expressed concerns over the safety of both members of the public at large, as well as those who might make use of the proposed shelter. Wade said if a violation is directly related to the conditions of the temporary use permit, then it could be dealt with through development services and, if necessary, city council. However,
violations that are unrelated to aspects specific to the temporary use permit (e.g. cases of persons causing harm to themselves or others, or property damage), would be resolved either by the RCMP or the fire department, depending on the nature of the offence. “Behaviour that is regulated under other bylaws and jurisdictions is different than land use. Land use doesn’t regulate behaviour,” said Wade.
What’s next? As mentioned, there are a number of steps that need to happen before a temporary winter shelter can begin operating in Revelstoke. Currently, proponents of the shelter face two major hurdles: getting the necessary approvals from the city and conducting a neighbourhood consultation with business owners and residents close to the proposed shelter. Both the approvals and the consultation are likely to take some time, meaning there could be a time-crunch when it comes to meeting any requirements set out by BC Housing for funding approval, as well as completing necessary upgrades to the church basement before a shelter is opened.
Councillors express concern At a late summer council meeting, the mayor and some city councillors said
the temporary winter shelter. According to the draft proposal this would be done through a lease agreement with BC Housing. For Rev. David Cooke though, the church’s involvement goes far beyond just providing a space for the shelter. Speaking from a pastoral perspective, Cooke said the church has a religious mandate to care for the poor. “As a church we have an obligation to help people. This is what we are known for,” said Cooke. With the United Church now identified as the location of the proposed shelter, it’s unsurprising that Cooke has spent the past week speaking to members of the public, some in support and others unsupportive. Cooke said while he understands concerns surrounding issues of liability, he questions how a shelter located in downtown Revelstoke is any more dangerous than a bar. “Data shows it doesn’t increase violence in the area,” said Cooke. “The reality is from having worked with this population here in Revelstoke and in other places, they are the ones who are more vulnerable to violence.” Cooke said the shelter would include a security system with a direct line to the RCMP, and noted that the church’s downtown location means police already regularly patrol the area.
City of Revelstoke
they had received significant feedback on the plan — before the consultation on the plans had officially started. City staff and councillors discussed the proposal at an Aug. 22 meeting with the proponents. The next step was for council to approve a resolution allowing the proponents to commence a consultation plan with the neighbourhood. However, in the interim, letters and communications were sent out to neighbours, some of whom were surprised and riled by the plan for the shelter. At their Aug. 27 meeting, the mayor and councillors were slated to give the OK for a consultation plan, but instead were already dealing with negative feedback. Mayor Gary Sulz said he had people lining up with concerns about the plan. “The process was short circuited,” said mayor Gary Sulz. “Which caused some concerns for members of the community.” “They need clarity,” said Coun. Steven Cross. “People deserve that. A lot of the worries about this are fear driven.” After some discussion, council eventually approved plans to consult with the neighbourhood on the proposed shelter. The next step is for the proponents to get the consultation plan approved.
Currently, the city holds the keys when it comes to whether the proposed shelter will move forward. Revelstoke
Plans for a temporary winter shelter at the Revelstoke United Church that would help those without a place to stay has caused a stir in the neighbourhood. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
Taking the dinner party indoors By Heather Hood Autumn is upon us providing shorter days, packing in the last bike rides and moving dinner parties inside. With the changing of seasons, it brings a short reprieve before the snow flies and life picks up again.
Meyer Family Winery Chardonnay, 2018 Okanagan Falls, B.C. $23.34 The nose is fresh with floral and citrus nose. The flavours are zippy but refined; it is fruit forward with subtle oak and buttery notes. The wine has lovely minerality, lime and apple on the palate with a nice finish. Pairing: Turkey, risotto or fish
Kettle Valley Pinot Noir 2017 Naramata, B.C. $31.44 Kettle Valley is a well-established winery, which has been around since 1987. The wines have always been consistent and well made by the same family in Naramata. This edgy but elegant wine is delicate but bold. This wine must be decanted or left to breathe to allow the flavours to open up. Flavours of black cherry, tobacco and chocolate cost the palate. The finish is lovely and lingers nicely. Pairing: Roasted poultry, lamb or a cheese platter
Three Sisters Cabernet Franc, 2017 Penticton, B.C. $25.78 This is a full-bodied wine with medium tannins and bright red fruit flavours. The palate has flavours of blackberry, cassis, pepper and chocolate with a hint of herbaceousness. The finish is lovely and lingers nicely. Pairing: Grilled meat, tomato sauce and wild mushrooms.
All wines available at Cheers! Downtown Revelstoke Open 9am to 11pm Delivery to your door Call 250-837-4550 35
FEATURE
Searching for jewels Writer Vilja Arnsteinsdatter reflects on her Goldilocks trip through the Kootenays to suss out who has the best little ski town By Vilja Arnsteinsdatter
We left Revelstoke at six in the morning. Not in a frenzy, but in a calm state, the morning still and peaceful. We found our seats – me, the chauffeur; L, the passenger and map-reader, and J, the backseat driver/back-up vocals – and we stayed in these seats until we returned several days later. After the perpetually awe-inspiring drive through Rogers Pass, we landed in Golden, our first stop and my old town. I lived here for a year and hadn’t been back since I left. This small town sits in stunning surroundings, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a genuine contender to the raddest ski resort around. But we weren’t here for the skiing. We were passing through, in search of ski towns without skis, of seasonal places in the off-season – searching for jewels among places. After a winter of visa problems, decision-making, and a lot of soul searching, I needed to explore, to look for options. It had required some planning to put this trip together. Between conflicting schedules, different desires, some reluctancy and a few brief meltdowns, we eventually managed to plan a trip we were all happy with. The early morning in Golden was warm and quiet, and we made the long climb up to Kicking Horse. Partially to show my friends the resort, mostly for my own reminiscence. Standing at the base of the mountain, I felt melancholic and grateful at the same time, remembering endless powder days and sore legs. My friends graciously allowed me my moment of nostalgia, before ordering breakfasts and coffees and moving on to more cheerful topics of discussion. I was contemplating how different Golden and Revelstoke truly are. Somewhat competing towns, they resemble each other in numerous ways, yet they are so different. Having lived both places, I still find that there is a different kind of vibe to Revelstoke. People seem a little bit happier, the atmosphere a little more positive. “Revelstoke’s OK, I guess,” my old friend who lives in Golden stated as conversations took a turn for the theme of our trip, his heart belonging there. “I’ll come visit.” We only stayed a short while, the road ahead of us being long, filled with places we wanted to see. So we left Golden behind — that quiet town between the mountain ranges, so similar to home but so different all the same. Golden, I still love you, but you’re not the one for me. Next up was Invermere. Invermere with its beautiful lake, bighorn sheep, and pretty little downtown. Invermere with that great smoothie place by the highway next to the weed shop (which was closed – a recurring theme throughout our trip). To me, Invermere and neighbouring Fairmont are very
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far from Revelstoke. Driving by, it looks like another life – the buildings having been designed in another style, the colours not quite like ours. We made a quick dip into Invermere, spending some time in the downtown area before returning to the highway. As Invermere faded away in my rear-view mirror, I wondered what living here would be like. I doubted it would have been as adventurous as this life I have come to love. The last hour or so before reaching Kimberley, I was urging my passengers to decide on visiting or not. I had been there before, but they hadn’t. Easily overlooked, Kimberley isn’t one of those places one ventures to. I wanted them to see it, and I wanted to see it again, although it meant a little bit of a detour. They decided on going, and we made our way along that winding stretch of road before the town reveals itself. Kimberley is a strange little place. Don’t get me wrong, I like it, but every time I’m there I find myself asking, “What do people really do here?” I’m sure many a traveller has asked themselves that very question passing through Revelstoke, which I suppose can come across as just another small town, too. Between the sleepy downtown, the small ski hill, and the numerous churches, I’m left wondering how life plays out here. We chat to the owner of a local sports store, and he tells us, with genuine excitement in his voice, how much he loves living in Kimberley. That it’s becoming more and more outdoorsy. That there’s skiing (“It’s not that big but at least we have a hill.”), biking, and hiking to be done, and that he finds it just as good as any of these other little towns. Perhaps he’s right. Perhaps the image of Revelstoke as the place to be, the ultimate ski town, has made us slightly biased and unappreciative of other places. Or perhaps it is, as they say, in the eye of the beholder. Late in the evening we finally reached Fernie. I’ll be the first to admit that I love Fernie. I find it comparable to Revelstoke, and it’s a place I’d considered moving to. I had hyped it up to my friends, using those words, and now I worried I’d overdone it. It didn’t seem that I had. They enthusiastically greeted Fernie, this wonderful little town with those imposing mountains, the long, flowing rivers, and a downtown worthy of several days’ exploration. “Revelstoke isn’t a real ski town,” our host for the evening claimed, once the conversation drifted to our trip and my thoughts on the matter. He claimed Fernie to be the real deal, and Revelstoke to be a gimmick. Revelstoke didn’t have the right vibe, he said. It was too new. Too expensive. Too much heliskiing. We all felt that if anywhere was a real ski town, it was Revelstoke, defending that and our resort. “I do have
FEATURE a lot of respect for that hill,” he said, admitting the skiing to be fantastic. But the town, not so much. Us on the other hand, we loved his ski town, real or not. We spent two days in Fernie, and the time only strengthened our feelings for it. It seemed like a fun place to live. My friends got matching tattoos there, permanent reminders of its beauty. (Although, the tattoos were of Mt Begbie. You can take the girls out of Revelstoke, but….) We rolled into Nelson right around lunchtime. Infamous Nelson. Nelson with the stoners, the hippies, and the artists. Nelson with the orange bridge and the steep hills. Nelson with the funny houses. Nelson that’s so busy compared to Revelstoke. We had hurried through Cranbrook (too much traffic, too many malls and shops), been pleasantly surprised by Creston’s immaculate lawns, cute houses, and ranks of fruit trees, taken our time through the Kootenay Pass. And now we were here. I had never been before, and I had wanted to go for a long time. I had created an image in my head of Nelson as this peaceful hippie town where everyone just chilled and not much happened. Perhaps in some ways it is like that, if you know it, but I was hit hard by the amount of people and the bustling streets, feeling like I’d landed in a metropolis. It’s silly, I know – Nelson is still a small town, but I found myself
longing for the quiet and the solitude of the places we had passed and left behind. We spent the day there; we walked around downtown, strolled along the river, I got to challenge my traffic skills maneuvering the truck through unknown cityscapes, and we had a brief stop at the local brewery. As we drove out of town, hitting the road once more for the final leg, I was left with a sense that I had expected more. Maybe we didn’t spend enough time there, maybe the image I had in my mind was too far from reality. Or maybe I was already in love. I believe one of the biggest signs that you live in the right place is when you’re happy to come home from travelling. For the last few hours of our trip, a relaxed atmosphere arose. The closer we got, the more excited we got, yet in that quiet way where you’re just at peace with where you’re going. A peaceful contentment settled in as we drove off the ferry at Galena, then later crossed the Columbia River, with Mount Revelstoke ahead and Mount Mackenzie to the right. We were home. In the days that followed, I reflected on the trip we had taken. Disguised as a road trip with friends, it was also a search for reassurance. Forever an over thinker, I needed to rest easy in my decision. And spending time visiting these other mountain jewels, shining brightly as they did, gave me everything I needed to know. I had found home.
Illustration: Emil Kollstrøm
JACQUELINE PENDERGAST - Threadscapes
MAIN GALLERY JACQUELINE PENDERGAST Threadscapes + Gallery Talk & Demonstration Sunday September 29th @2PM
OPENING RECEPTION THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26 5 - 9 PM | Revelstoke Art Gallery
SHOW RUNS SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 25 2019 320 Wilson Street | 250 814 0261 | www.artsrevelstoke.com Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia and The Columbia Basin Trust.
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LIFE
Scrimpin’ ain’t easy! My two cents on how to save your dollars By Bryce Borlick
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LIFE
Editor’s note: The struggle is real! In Revy, the fall season brings the golden glow of autumn foilage and a horde of winter seasonnaires looking to get established, some with only IOUs to their name. Here’s our locals’ guide to keeping it in the family by cutting out the petro companies, the telcos, and the thieves so you can save your money for what matters. It’s been said many times before: Revelstoke is an amazing town. It’s also been said that the high cost of living here can out pace the some of the low wages being paid. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, or if you’re trying to stretch your savings through a winter of full-time skiing, here’s a guide to help you get a bit more bang out of each buck.
Gear You’re practically pro. We overheard. But it’s fall and you need to score some cheap ski gear since the packages from your sponsors generally just contain cookies and a note from mum. The hard truth is that most winter gear is currently going for top dollar. Sorry. Your consolation prize, however, is the summer gear that’s going for pennies on the dollar. Jump on those song-and-a-dance deals now and when spring arrives, you’ll be set and ready to buy up cheap winter gear that someone “needs gone now.”
Snow sports Seasons passes don’t come cheap; they come free if you work full time at the resort. If that’s not your gig, save a few hundred bucks by getting your pass before the October 15 early bird deadline. If you “don’t do resorts anymore” you will still need a park pass to access the Rogers Pass backcountry. A group pass can be very economical if the cost is shared amongst a household, but an adult pass is half the cost and may be your best option. Alternatively you can tour Macpherson for a six dollar parking fee or XC ski the flats for just a little sweat equity.
Photos clockwise from bottom right: Get the plums before the bears do; the green sticker to discount cheese paradise; chop your own!; free food from the forest; Bryce lords his greens over you; one of the busiest and cheapest thrift stores in the Southern Interior is right here in Revy. Photos: Bryce Borlick
food available to anyone intrepid enough to forage for it. Berries and cherries in the early summer; apples and plums in August; mushrooms in the fall; and fish for most of the year — it’s all ripe for the taking. Fancy yourself as more of an agrarian than a hunter-gatherer? Gardening can be a worthwhile endeavour, even if its just regrowing your store bought lettuce, green onions, garlic chives, or celery with a little water and a sunny window.
Restaurants Of course there come the times when you don’t want to cook or do the dishes. For those times there is Mac Monday, Taco Tuesday, Wing Wednesday, burger night, two-for-one pizza, PBR nights, the Pasta Feed, Locals’ Night, and many more. It’s tough to keep track of the current deals but they’re out there if you look. Also keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Passport to the Kootenays coupon book, which is loaded with twofor-one deals.
Phone and internet If you’ve recently moved to Canada, welcome to the highest monthly mobile phone rates in the world! Luckily it’s easy to cut your bill down to size. First, opt for a used phone over the zero-dollar new one because a two-year contract is anything but free. Next, dodge the data plan and use public wifi or the wifi at home. And if you really like diminishing returns, you can get a ten dollar data-only plan and combo it with a Skype number and still have full phone and text service for about the cost of a couple of pints.
Groceries
Heat
We all need to eat and, after housing (which is conspicuously absent from this list), groceries are likely to be your second biggest expense. It’s also where you can shave a lot off your budget. The grocery store sales and the green cheese program (at Le Marche) are a good start but there’s also a seasonal bounty of free organic
You have a wood stove! That means free winter heat, right? Not if you drop several hundreds of dollars on a few cords of firewood. If you want free (ish) firewood, head to the pole yard, where a truckload of cedar rounds goes for a paltry ten dollars. Sure the BTU’s are lower than birch or fir, but all the additional splitting,
stacking, and stove loading will just warm you up that much more. It also should go without saying that simply putting on warm clothes is by far the cheapest way to stay warm ... but then again a lot of people are still can’t figure out the roundabout.
Car insurance Don’t be ridin’ dirty! You need basic car insurance but you may not need to fork out hundreds for collision and comprehensive coverage if your car isn‘t worth much. Without those two add-ons, your basic insurance will still cover all damages if you’re at fault in an accident but it won’t cover the cost to repair your car. Choose wisely! Ultimately, just being a good driver is the cheapest way to roll. Also, join the not-so-secret gas club and save some money there too.
Housewares Go to the thrift store. From kitchenware to outerwear, the prices are comically low and proceeds support an impressive amount of community initiatives. Get creative — are they fleece Lion King pajamas or a backcountry base layer? The first Thursday of every month is half price day and their annual ski sale, where nothing goes for more than twenty dollars, is the closest thing we have to a Black Friday Walmart-style throwdown.
Theft No, I’m not suggesting that you steal! I’m suggesting that you watch your belongings so that you don’t have to waste money replacing them. You’re an easy mark at the pub for your jacket, phone, and townie bike if you just leave them laying around unattended. Lastly, we have a great community of people and businesses that deserve respect. Treat others how you’d want to be treated and be generous with your time and money when you can afford to. Have a great winter!
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BUSINESS
Made in the shade Revelstoke isn’t known for its manufacturing sector, but local company Shade Sails Canada is proving that it can be done.
Shade Sails Canada is a family run business which operates right here in Revelstoke and serves customers across the country. Located on Highway 23, sitting right at the base of Mount Revelstoke is the head office, manufacturing workshop, and warehouse of Shade Sails Canada. The business was started 19 years ago by Neil and Brydon Roe, a father and son team. It was first conceived when Neil Roe, who owned a successful dock and deck building company at the time, was visiting his sons who were living in Australia. It was there that he was first introduced to the concept on tensile structures (such as shade sails) and he immediately saw the potential of producing and selling shade sails in Canada. Together, Neil and Brydon started the company in Ontario, where they are originally from. The company grew as people in Canada began to see the beauty and utility of shade sails. Brydon eventually relocated the business to Revelstoke where he met his partner, Anne Murphy, who worked in the manufacturing workshop sewing the sails. As the business continued to take off and grow they made the decision to split the business into two separate entities, the residential business remained as Shade Sails Canada and the commercial business is now called TensArch. Both parts of the business are continuously growing as awareness of shade sails and tensile architecture grows in Canada. Tens Arch has provided high quality shade solutions for many businesses and municipalities across the country including outdoor spaces such as libraries, playgrounds, condo buildings, vineyards, and retirement homes to name a few. All of the conceptualizing, design work, and manufacturing for Shade Sails Canada and Tens Arch happens in Revelstoke at their building on Highway 23. Sales inquiries come in and the design team then begins to work on designing and rendering the shade sail and the structure that will hold it. They work with the customer to customize the shape and colour of the sail or sails, as well as the shape, material, and colour of the structural components. Once the design is agreed upon, special software for an electronic cutting machine is used to cut the material very precisely into the right shapes. The panel of the material, which is made from woven high density polyethylene plastic, is nine feet wide and up to about 30 feet in length. Once the material is cut, the sewing begins. During the busy season, over the summer, there are up to 17 people working full time to complete the high volume of orders and the sails are usually able to be completed within two weeks. During lower volume 40
seasons, sails orders can be finished within a week. The shade sails shape look simple enough, but each one is designed specifically to fit a particular space and needs to be cut with precision in order to maintain the high standards of strength and safety that makes Shade Sails Canada so successful. The sails are often mistaken for a triangular shape, though they generally they are actually four-sided but attached in a hyperbolic shape, so that looking from most angles, they appear to be triangular. The four-sided sails actually cast a greater amount of shade which why they are preferred for shade sails. The structures that hold the sails in place are also a very important part of the product. They have to be strong enough to withstand the large amount of tension that the wires holding the sails are under, as well as the force of wind and other elements that the shade sails may encounter throughout their lifetimes. The structures are generally sourced near where they will be installed and are installed by contractors or by Tens Arch employees. “Due to the strength needed, it is preferable for the shade sail structures to be incorporated into the design of new builds, especially for large buildings such as condos and high rises, otherwise it becomes difficult to fasten the structures with enough integrity to withstand the forces, and cross p-bracing has to be used” explained Graham Harper. Architects are beginning to understand this and plan for the need for shade and work with Tens Arch from the design phase onward. After many years of production and seeing large volumes of waste from the odd-shaped off cuts of the sail material, Shade Sails Canada has been innovating new products to use the excess material. “The goal is to become zero-waste in the landfill,” said Harper. The new products include market and beach tote bags, children’s tote bags, planter bags, and other items, which can be used for personal and commercial applications. Because the products are made from the extremely durable, breathable, and washable material, they are considered a lifetime bag that is virtually indestructible. The new products have not been officially launched yet but will be sold under a new business division called Green Bag Company, which can be seen at www.greenbagcompany.ca. Other exciting news for the Shade Sails Canada group is an upcoming appearance on Dragon’s Den. The date that the episode will be airing has just been released; you can tune in to watch the Shade Sail team pitch to the Dragons on Thursday, October 17 at 9 p.m. The outcome of the pitch is still secret until the show airs.
Photo: Danielle Hebert
By Danielle Hebert
NEWS BRIEFS
Photo: The main production centre at Shade Sails in Revelstoke. Photo: Danielle Hebert
The new Shade Sails structure was installed at Kovach Park last month. Photo: Shade Sails
Andres Suarez at work at Shade Sails. Photo: Danielle Hebert
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NEWS
Can Revelstoke afford lower propane rates? FortisBC proposes to save Revelstokians $400 per year on their heating bills, but is this the way we should be going in the midst of a climate crisis? By Alex Cooper
[Editor’s note: This story is a follow-up on FortisBC’s application to change Revelstoke’s district gas pricing from the current propane prices to natural gas prices. For background on the application, please see our story, FortisBC application to B.C. Utilities Commission could reduce Revelstoke propane rates significantly, published Aug. 28 on revelstokemountaineer.com.] Late in the summer, Cornelius Suchy stood in front of Revelstoke city council and made an unexpected request – that the city stand in the way of a proposed FortisBC rate cut that would decrease the average Revelstoke residential propane bill by $407 per year, and cut the bill for an average small businesses by over $2,000. Suchy, who holds a Swiss energy engineering degree and a masters in physics, runs a consulting firm called Canadian Biomass Energy Research whose mission is to “promote clean, sustainable and successful biomass to energy projects in Canada.” Promoting biomass energy is his life’s work. For him, Fortis’ application to the BC Utilities Commission to reduce the propane rate on Revelstoke customers so it would match the rate paid by natural gas customers in the rest of B.C. makes no sense in the midst of a climate crisis. “The idea of the carbon tax is to make fossil fuels less attractive and more expensive, and we’re doing the opposite here,” he told me a few weeks later. “We’re pretending there is no climate change. We want cheap fuel, and don’t care about the rest.” (For those wondering why Fortis is being so kind to us, they hope to sign on more customers in Revelstoke by lowering the rate of propane; their application identifies more than 1,000 potential new customers. Also, the city has lobbied for years to get on the natural gas network.) In Revelstoke, it’s not an easy sell to ask people to fight something that would reduce the cost of living for local residents and businesses. After all, the high cost of living is the biggest issue facing the community. Suchy believes most residents can afford the higher prices, and only those who can’t should be subsidized. Fortis’ proposal, if approved, would incentivize the use of fossil fuels when we should be doing the opposite. “The idea of subsidizing fossil fuel in times of climate emergency is completely out of tune,” he told me. *** After hearing Suchy’s presentation to council, I couldn’t help but wonder, “How do we convince people to adopt renewable energy when burning fossil fuels is that much cheaper?” I live in a mid-’70s home heated with electric baseboard and my winter bills are astronomical. Using Fortis’ energy comparison calculator, I could save $2,000 per year (!!!) if I switched to a natural gas furnace. The upfront cost of retro-fitting my house would be huge and isn’t reasonable, but I did look into installing a 42
high-efficiency ductless heat pump system. It could cut my heating bill in half, but I would still be paying more than double what I’d pay with natural gas, though the upfront cost of the system would be much cheaper. For my home, with no ducting in place, going with a heat pump makes sense, but if you have ducts in place (say you’re heating with an oil furnace) or are building new, and cost is your main concern, why would you not go with natural gas? I met with Chantal Wilson, the owner of Little Bear Engineering, which specializes in finding ways people and businesses to reduce their energy bills. I asked her straight up – is it possible to heat your home with electricity for less than natural gas? She replied with a no. “It really will depend on what the gas prices do and how efficient you can have your equipment,” she said. “If you have a really energy efficient geothermal system that is very, very efficient, it would be getting close.” The current basic rate for BC Hydro is $0.0945 per kilowatt hour, which equates to $26.25 per gigajoule. BC Hydro, in a move to encourage conservation, has a step two rate that’s 50 per cent higher, or $39.36/GJ. Fortis charges $13.797/GJ for propane and $7.36/GJ for natural gas. In winter, if you’re on electric heating, most of your bill will be at the higher rate, so in Revelstoke you’re paying triple the cost per gigajoule to heat your home. If natural gas pricing were adopted, the difference would be even more extreme. Even if you ran a high-efficiency heat pump, which has a 300% efficiency rating, you’re looking at the same cost per gigajoule as propane. BC Hydro implemented step two pricing to encourage energy conservation, but
Below: Stock image. Opposite: Fortis’ Revelstoke propane plant and the Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation’s biomass facility located near Downie Timber. Photos: Alex Cooper
decade of work looking at ways to make use of Downie Timbers substantial wood waste. After several failed attempts at building a plant that would convert the waste to electricity, the City of Revelstoke and Downie Timber settled on a district heating system that would provide heat for Downie’s dry kilns and 10 local buildings: city hall, the arena, the community centre, the post office, Colombia River Manor Apartments, Minto Manor, Revelstoke Secondary School, Begbie View Elementary, the Powder Springs Hotel, and the Catholic church. RCEC signed 20-year agreements to supply heat to these customers; they expire between 2026 and 2031. Suchy says that the reduced propane rates will make RCEC uncompetitive and it will have to close once these agreements end. “If propane is subsidized, it’s no longer economic for these clients to remain on the district heating system,” he told council. The issue has been on RCEC’s radar since 2016, when Fortis first proposed converting Revelstoke to natural gas. In an interview, Larry Marchand, the general manager of RCEC said it’s unlikely Suchy’s assertion “would prove to be true,” adding it’s too soon to tell if RCEC customers would jump ship because RCEC doesn’t know what it’s rates will be in five to 10 years when current contracts expire, nor do they know what the price of natural gas will be. “I would say there would be the possibility that some customers that would have signed on to an energy supply agreement 10 years ago that might see by comparison that RCEC’s rates — that are locked in over a 20 year period — might appear to be less competitive by comparison to propane rates,” he said. “It would be preliminary for us to actually determine that was factual because we don’t know what the rate would be.” RCEC does have advantages over Fortis when it comes to setting rates. Unlike propane and natural gas prices, whose prices fluctuate depending on global supply and demand, RCEC has a seemingly endless unless you’re stuck with electric andheating, free source of fuel that comes from Downie Timthe policy has the adverse effect push-the street. It also has known costs related to berofacross ing people towards fossil fuel the heating. cost of building the plant and related infrastrucA wood pellet stove will run you ture,about which is amortized over many years, and the $13-20 per GJ, depending on yearly how effimaintenance and administrative costs. cient it is, according to Wilson.At the same time, Fortis has a massive customer Little Bear Engineering willbase conduct spread across the province, so it can stand to lose an energy audit of your home.money They can from some clients as long as it makes a profput it under negative pressureitor fill it RCEC, meanwhile, only has 10 clients in overall. with fog and then watch the air leak out Revelstoke. to see where you’re losing the most heat. energy and alternative green energy, just “Biomass She enumerated many ways tosimply save on because of economies of scale and mass uptake your energy bill, from addingand insulation the uniqueness of the industry, has a hard time to your attic to replacing windows to with conventional energy,” said Marchand. competing sealing every little crack around your home to reduce air leakage. Poorly insulated basements are an overlooked source of heat loss, she noted. “I know it doesn’t look so great, but that plastic film that you put on with the hair dryer works quite well,” she said. There are numerous rebates available to home owners that invest in energy efficiencies, but they still only cover a small portion of the total costs and the payoff through energy savings is years down the road. These subsidies need to go even further, says Suchy. “We need leadership from the government that says, ‘Okay, we’re going to convert our buildings, our assets to something like renewable heating, heat pumps, pellet stoves, or district heating.” *** There was a second aspect to Suchy’s presentation to council about Fortis’ application – that the rate decrease, or subsidy as he refers to it, will hurt the competitiveness of the Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation. RCEC was born in 2005 following nearly a
At that council meeting, Mayor Gary Sulz, who also chairs RCEC, said they have met with Fortis about this issue. While the city has asked Fortis to bring rates in line with the rest of B.C., “We want to make sure RCEC remains in business,” he said. “These are conversations we’ll have with the BC Utilities Commission and Fortis going forward.” *** In 2015, representatives of a fledgling biofuel company came to Revelstoke (and several other forestry communities) looking for support to build a facility that would convert wood waste into a form of gas. Many companies exist proposing to do this and the technology poses huge promise. It would make use of our abundant wood waste and create a greener energy, however, it is still not considered cost-competitive with fossil fuels, according to an article published in the journal BMC Energy. Two years ago, Suchy proposed building such a facility in Revelstoke to heat the whole town. His pitch came not long after Fortis considered spending $25 million on converting Revelstoke to natural gas. Suchy said instead of natural gas, why not spend the money creating a system that would convert local wood waste to energy? “Converting the gas system to LNG would cost $25 million upfront and would need to be heavily subsidized to be viable,” he wrote in the Mountaineer. “For around the same cost as LNG we can convert wood into a local, renewable fuel.” Suchy passionately believes that this is the way Fortis should go. Instead of subsidizing fossil fuels by pricing propane the same as natural gas, that money should go into building a biofuel facility that would replace our existing gas system. He said this would cost $40-50 million. While that is a huge amount, he likens it to the 100-mile diet. Instead of food security, it would mean energy security. Instead of importing our energy, we would produce it at home. With this facility and electricity from the dam, Revelstoke could be energy independent, and we’d reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Subsidizing propane will do the opposite. “It’s going to us stop saving energy, and it’s going to make our propane consumption go up,” said Suchy. “And you can look at the proposal from Fortis – it says it will go up.” It truly makes the big question of our climate crisis local – are we willing to think big and spend big to reduce our emissions, or is the temptation of saving $400 per year too much to resist?
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FOOD
Burger Week Challenge supports Revelstoke Library Learning Lab Revelstoke is about to find out whose burgers are best in town. The first ever Burger Week Challenge, taking place October 18-27, will see nearly a dozen restaurants competing to take the win in four different categories: most original burger, best presentation, best use of local ingredients and best overall burger. Burger Week organizer Mike Brown said the idea to put on the event came about after his wife showed him a story the Mountaineer had run about the Okanagan Regional Library Revelstoke Branch’s Learning Lab expansion project. “I thought, we need this badly,” said Brown, who is also an owner of the Taco Club. “We have a social investment committee here at the restaurant. It’s employee driven and we give out two $2,000 investments to different social organizations. One of our goals is to invest in things that promote affordability and accessibility in town, and this just seemed right up that alley, a public space that’s really well used.” A decision was made to invest $2,000 towards the library’s expansion project. After making that donation, Brown sat down with librarian Lucy Bergeron to find out how fundraising was going over all. “At that point they hadn’t raised much at all and I thought, ‘this needs a push’,” said Brown Brown came across the idea for a burger challenge while visiting Nelson last year. A friend of his is a chef at a Vietnamese restaurant. She had mentioned that Nelson does a burger challenge, and the Vietnamese restaurant had won it.
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Burger Week mascot by Turbo Bambi
Local restaurants go head to head to find out whose burger is supreme
“I thought, that would totally fly here. We’ve got lots of good restaurants. Burgers are super approachable and fairly affordable. So the idea had kind of been there before that this is something Revelstoke can do, and then it just seemed like a great idea to do this to raise money for the library.” A dollar from each burger sold will go towards the library’s expansion project. Brown is hoping to see 5,000 or more burgers sold during the 10-day challenge. Monies from the purchase of sponsorship spots on posters and score-cards will also go towards the library’s project. Brown said while the competition rules are fairly lax, there are still a few. All burgers are priced at $15, which allows for restaurants to play with some premium ingredients without the costs getting too out of hand. The
burgers have to be available during all hours a restaurant is open, and cannot be part of another promotion. The burgers also have to be available for the duration of the competition. Aside from that, Brown says he’s hoping to see a lot of diversity from participating restaurants. “I’m hoping places kind of look to their own style, what their core business is and interpret it in that way. The more different they are the more fun it’s going to be,” said Brown. In an interview with the Mountaineer near the end of September, Brown said the Village Idiot, Big Eddy Pub, Chubby Funsters, Craft Bierhaus, Dose, Taco Club, 112, The Regent, Big Bend Cafe and The Rockford were all on board to participate. Kawakubo, Emo’s and Old School Eatery had yet to confirm. Brown said he thinks the burger challenge has the potential to become an annual event, although doing so would involve putting together a committee to decide where the proceeds go each year. Aside from that, it’s also an opportunity to create camaraderie around restaurants. “I’d say typically there’s not a lot of communication in the industry and this is a really nice way for us to kind of all pull together on something,” said Brown. “It should hopefully stir up some business and interest in the industry at a time when it’s traditionally really quiet.” For those eating the burgers during the challenge, score cards will be available to help keep track of your favourite burgers. You can cast your votes at the revelstokemountaineer.com for a chance to win a prize.
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OUTDOORS Images: Unsplash. Photo collage: Sonia Garcia/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
Get bent Open your mind and your hips will follow Bryce Borlick
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It was a weekend of trail building that killed my lower back. The tight muscles, the stiffness, the core fatigue - I’d never felt like that before and the way it lingered was a bit concerning. I consulted medical experts, aka the internet, and found some stretches that got me back on track after a week or two. Still, the problems returned periodically and the claimed benefits of yoga started to pique my interest. Increased flexibility and core strength seemed to be exactly what I needed. So, of course, I never went. Guys don’t do yoga. That’s the distinct impression I got from asking a half dozen guy friends about it and getting a half dozen shrugged shoulders or possibly a tale of trying it one summer at camp. Their reluctance was clear but their rationale was not, so I continued to dig through their concocted logic. It seems too meditative, they’d say, too spiritual. Isn’t yoga some kinda new age exercise for women? No dude, it’s been around for thousands of years and was traditionally practiced by men. Furthermore, an overwhelming amount of professional athletes, male and female alike, credit yoga for being a critical part of their training regimen. “At 24 years of age, I couldn’t sleep due to back pain, couldn’t bear weight on my hands in push up position, I had repetitive shoulder and knee issues, and I had tendinitis in my elbows,” says professional mountain biker Ryan Leech, who offers programs specifically geared towards cyclists. “Enter Yoga, a life and body transformed. Added strength and flexibility allowed my career to flourish.” As cyclists, we do weird things to our bodies. The crouched position that we spend so much time in doesn’t allow muscles to move through their full and natural range of motion. Over time, muscles can adapt and shorten, hip flexors in particular, leading to anterior pelvic tilt and excessive arching of the lower back. These postural changes then pull other things out of alignment and problems arise. Like lower back pain. Yoga helps to put everything back where it belongs. Before this sounds too much like an infomercial, let’s head into the yoga studio, where I finally found myself this past winter. The vibe is quiet, calm, and
meditative. And yes, its about 80 percent women but if that’s your main motivation for going you’re barking up the wrong tree. Classes are focused and immersive. Logically, I started with a couple beginner classes before adding ones that specifically target hips and lower back. While the classes are far from easy, they also wont send you to the depths of the pain cave either. Just like biking, you’ll get nothing out if you put nothing in, and so I pushed myself into some fairly uncomfortable poses. And? What happened? The tension in my lower back melted away over a few weeks. My hips felt looser. My joints moved with more ease. That all felt very therapeutic but, with the ski season underway, on the slopes was where it really clicked. I felt more balanced on my board, more agile and more coordinated. While a warm up run is always good for the muscles, everything else felt right on point from the moment I strapped in. It felt great.
“fall is the perfect time to give it a shot” When it was time to roll the bike out, the benefits continued. Although biking involves a relatively small range of movement, it demands fine coordination of the hips and core muscles for steering and control. And the more I stretched, the more accurate that steering and control became. Sure I’d still have ‘off ’ days when the legs were fatigued, but the bike handling always felt crisp and responsive. I’d even say that crashes were more of a controlled demolition than a train wreck. For many of you, especially the master yogis, I’m preaching to the choir. But if you spend a lot of time on your bike and have let excuses and preconceptions keep you out of the yoga studio, fall is the perfect time to give it a shot. The first step to a stronger, better, tougher you is simply opening your mind.
IT’S TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS... Whether you’re a full-on Grinch or a bundle of holiday cheer, you’ll probably want to get your holiday staff party plans sorted soon. But don’t worry. Jones Distilling has you covered. Offering a modern and cozy setting in the beautifully renovated Mountain View School, the distillery is the perfect spot to host a catered buffet or casual cocktails. Contact info@jonesdistilling.com for a quote or to find out more about our pricing, capacity and fully customizable options.
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