Sun Peaks Independent News, Volume 21, Issue 8

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IN THIS ISSUE

04

BURFIELD PARKING LOT SLATED TO OPEN THIS FALL

Sun Peaks Resort LLP hopes the lot will reduce 'parking nightmare' near the Burfield chairlift.

DEANNA CAMPBELL WILL BE SUN PEAKS' NEW CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Campbell comes to the position with seven years of experience in local government.

11

HEFFLEY CREEK STORE FUNDRAISER SEEKS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY AFTER THEFT

Trent Leggett, one of the owners of the convenience store says, 'we feel honoured to be part of that community.'

12

LOONS ON HEFFLEY LAKE ARE IN DANGER, ANNUAL HEFFLEY LAKE BIRD COUNT FINDS

For comments, questions and concerns contact us at: brandi@sunpeaksnews.com

Visit us: sunpeaksnews.com

editor@sunpeaksnews.com

213 - 1130 Sun Peaks Rd. Sun Peaks, B.C.

BRANDI SCHIER

Publisher brandi@sunpeaksnews.com

HOLLIE FERGUSON

Community Editor hollie@sunpeaksnews.com

LIZ MCDONALD

Community Journalist liz@sunpeaksnews.com

SONIA GARCÍA

Layout & Graphic Designer

sonia@sunpeaksnews.com

05

SUN PEAKS RESORT APPLIES TO DEVELOP A NEW SUBDIVISION

The development could see 16 single-family homes build and available for purchase two years from now.

06

HOW DOES SUN PEAKS FIRE RESCUE PREPARE FOR WILDFIRE SEASON?

Sun Peaks Fire Rescue implements pre-wildfire season mitigation strategies, but reminds residents to FireSmart homes.

08

WHO IS LOUIS CREEK NAMED AFTER?

T he history of Chief Louis Clexlixqen, a former Secwépemc Chief and possible namesake of Louis Creek.

10

STAFF ACCOMMODATIONS UNDERWAY IN SUN PEAKS

The new building will house close to 60 Sun Peaks Resort LLP employees and should be ready by fall 2024.

The count helps determine the health of Heffley Lake and informs various organizations about changes in local waterfowl.

14 EVENTS

15 PUZZLES

16

LOCAL NATIONAL CHAMPION DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKER QUALIFIES FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Brock Haws is Canada's Junior men's national champion in downhill mountian biking after impressive win at Fernie Alpine Resort.

17 BUISNESS LISTINGS

18

SUN PEAKS SKATE PARK FOUNDATION SEEKS TO SECURE LAND FOR LONG-AWAITED PARK

'A place for not just kids, but the whole community': Sun Peaks Skate Park Foundation advocates for free, accessible recreation infrastructure.

BURFIELD PARKING LOT SLATED TO OPEN THIS FALL

Sun Peaks Resort LLP hopes the lot will reduce ‘parking nightmare’ near the Burfield chairlift.

By Liz McDonald

Sun Peaks Resort (SPR) LLP is working to alleviate parking problems during peak ski times with the new Burfield parking lot.

The 60-stall parking lot is under construction by the Burfield chairlift and should be ready by the fall, according to SPR’s chief executive officer, Darcy Alexander. While the Burfield chairlift only gets about five per cent of overall skier traffic at the resort, Alexander explained having expanded parking will prevent people from parking on the road.

“Five per cent of our daily crowd comes and uses it, but this is a group that likes to ride in the Burfield,” he said. “We try to cater to everybody's desires, so they're going to provide parking down there because right now, any kind of busy weekend day or holiday day turns into a parking nightmare.”

Currently, the parking lot outside of SPR’s administration building is used by the public when accessing the Burfield chairlift, leading to skiers and riders parking down Alpine road and in staff parking after the 40-car lot fills up, Alexander said.

While there is ticketing for parking infractions by Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM), a recent report to council on June 20 summarizing ticketing from 2018 to 2023 shows that of the $8,305 fines issued, only $1,180 has been collected.

The $400,000 development will be called P1 and will have a building for ticket purchasing and bathrooms, which should be completed by late December.

The facility may not be accessible by wheelchairs, according to Alexander.

“We’re probably going to need a ramp to get into the building, that’s where it would be a challenge,” he said. “It’s always going to be a little bit better to be wheelchair accessible on the other side [of the resort].”

Because there’s only one green run on Burfield, accessible skiing is more suited to other areas of the resort, Alexander said.

The lot will be gravel and after the first year, the entrance will be paved. Alexander said paving needs to wait until the dirt settles and temperatures aren’t conducive to paving during the winter.

DEANNA CAMPBELL WILL BE SUN PEAKS’ NEW CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Campbell comes to the position with seven years of experience in local government.

By Liz McDonald

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) announced they’d found a new chief administrative officer (CAO).

Deanna Campbell will begin her role as CAO August 14, taking over for the outgoing CAO, Shane Bourke. Campbell started her career in municipal government at the Resort Municipality of Whistler where she gained experience with the challenges and outdoor lifestyle similar to Sun Peaks.

“My priorities when I start will certainly be ensuring that there's a smooth transition from Shane, the outgoing CAO and then continuing any key ongoing projects,” Campbell said.

She will start meeting with key stakeholders, including council and staff, Sun Peaks Resort LLP and Tourism Sun Peaks in the coming month.

SPMRM’s Mayor Al Raine, said he expects after settling into her role, Campbell will start working on various projects.

“[Shane] will start handing over the newer projects to her and finish up the projects he started,” Raine explained.

Her recent role was as the General Manager of Corporate and Legislative Services with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and she was the interim CAO for the TNRD.

“This has really been sort of the next natural step for me in my career, and it's been really important to me that I take the step in a community and in a place that I feel passionate about and Sun Peaks is definitely that place to me,” Campbell said.

Sun Peaks’ new chief administrative officer Deanna Campbell will start meeting with key stakeholders, including council and staff, Sun Peaks Resort LLP and Tourism Sun Peaks in the coming month. Photo by Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality

The currently under-construction Burfield parking lot along Alpine Rd. will hopefully be ready by October. Photo by Liz McDonald

SUN PEAKS RESORT APPLIES TO DEVELOP A NEW SUBDIVISION

By Liz McDonald

Sun Peaks Resort (SPR) is applying to develop parcel 27 for residential housing and tourist accommodations.

SPR applied to Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality SPMRM in June to amend the zoning of 2.36 hectares of Crown land at McGillivray Lake Drive. The proposed housing development will include 16 homes and the overall process will take more than two years, according to Darcy Alexander, SPR’s vice president and general manager.

“We’re hopeful that the subdivision process will be complete by the fall,” Alexander said.

The land will be divided into lots for the proposed development named Alder Estates.

Initially, the goal for the project was to complete road development for the subdivision by the fall of 2023. However, Alexander said material shortages caused delays.

As part of the process, SPR applied to the province to purchase the land. SPR is entitled to buy designated parcels of land as part of its Master Development Agreement with B.C. According to Alexander, the purchase is currently undergoing an administrative process and should be approved this summer.

According to Alexander, the land also underwent an archeological assessment in conjunction with First Nations bands as part of the development process.

“Members of the bands come up when we do the groundwork and they use maps to identify what might be potential areas [with Indigenous history],” Alexander said.

After the archeological assessment is complete, it is sent to the province and bands.

While the development will increase the housing supply in Sun Peaks, SPMRM’s analysis of the proposal presented to council indicated the wastewater system may not have adequate capacity for increased water use when combined with the housing developments at Switchback Creek on parcel 36.

To respond to concerns over wastewater capacity, SPMRM placed a no-occupancy covenant on phases three and four at Switchback Creek until municipal engineers can determine the system's capacity.

“They’re just being cautious so that we don’t exceed capacities,” Alexander explained.

The lots will be sold individually, and estimated prices won’t be set until the lots are finished.

development could see 16 single-family homes built and available for purchase two years from now.

The proposed housing development by Sun Peaks Resort is named Alder Estates and would add 16 homes to the community. Photo by Zuzy Rocka

HOW DOES SUN PEAKS FIRE RESCUE PREPARE FOR WILDFIRE SEASON?

Sun Peaks Fire Rescue implements pre-wildfire season mitigation strategies, but reminds residents to FireSmart homes.

By Liz McDonald

What does Sun Peaks Fire Rescue (SPFR) do to reduce wildfire risk in Sun Peaks?

For starters, the department applies to the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program for funding for fuel management. The funding, provided by the Union of BC Municipalities, goes towards projects for the following year. Specific areas are prescribed for fuel management, which means they are treated by clearing parts of forests, reducing wildfire risk.

Dean Schiavon, SPFR chief, explained to SPIN that treatment units, or parts of surrounding forests, are generally around residential areas, and the process includes clearing lower tree branches in forests to prevent the spread of wildfires.

Sun Peaks Fire Rescue chief Dean Schiavon stands next to a pile of cleared wood that wil be burned. Photo by Liz McDonald

Thick underbrush on Mt. Morrissey that needs to be cleared by Sun Peaks Fire Rescue.

Photo by Liz McDonald

“They try to get the branches and the small trees cleared and piled up in the spring and they try to then burn in the fall, depending on burn windows,” Schiavon explained.

Clearing branches prevents fire from going up into the canopy and also makes access easier when crews need to respond to a wildfire, according to Schiavon.

The burn window is dependent on weather conditions. For example, last fall, there was a fire ban that went into October, which prevented burning, and there was early snowfall that also impacted crews’ abilities to access prescribed areas, Schiavon said.

Additionally, when fire danger ratings are high in the summer, crews can’t use power tools to clear branches because the they could spark a fire and can only use hand tools to clear in prescribed areas. This slows down the work SPFR does to reduce wildfire risk.

SPFR also recently received over $165,000 in funding from UBCM for the CRI 2023 FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program.

Schiavon said these funds will go towards replacing Sun Peaks’ existing Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) with a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP), as well as FireSmart initiatives. Some of these include a Community FireSmart Resiliency Committee and purchasing new wildfire response equipment.

Sun Peaks has yet to create a landscape-level wildfire risk plan, which would coordinate responses from Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) with the province. This plan could include tools such as fire breaks, which are clearings that prevent a wildfire from spreading.

In an email, Schiavon said that after the CWRP is in place, SPFR “will start looking towards increasing the scope and looking outside the core village area.”

Fire Smart properties help prevent property damage

A top priority for residents to prevent their homes from going up in smoke is FireSmarting their properties, according to James Griffith, SPFR’s fire prevention officer.

“I think the big thing for us is the community buying in on fire smart because it’s shown that it doesn't matter how much fuel mitigation you do in the forest, it’s ember ignition that really has an effect on homes when a wildfire comes through,” Griffith said. “With Lytton, it was ember ignitions on the first home. Once that one ignited, it led to a snowball effect,”

Once an ember cast starts, SPFR doesn’t have enough resources to put each home out, Schiavon explained, and instead, they focus their efforts on protecting properties that stand a chance of surviving a wildfire, which are often those that have engaged in FireSmart practices.

Two community members who sit on strata councils in Sun Peaks explained they’ve engaged in FireSmart to protect their neighbourhoods.

Kim Selinger is on the strata council for Snow Creek Village, and she said her neighbourhood began FireSmarting in 2019 and recently had another assessment with SPFR that offered more insight into how homes can be protected.

“All vegetation should be away from the building,” Selinger explained. “We have decks on the north side of the building that hot tubs sit on, and they touch the building. So if a fire gets to those, it'll be lighting up the walls.”

In response to learning what needs some improvement in Snow Creek Village, the Strata is putting in a five-year plan and will replace the decks that are aging. Generally, Stratas are responsible for maintaining everything outside of a building Selinger explained, and homeowners are responsible for costs associated inside their home.

“If we fire smart our area, the chance of buildings surviving is much greater,” Selinger said.

Trevor Lott is on the board of directors for Trails Edge Strata council, and his Strata began FireSmart practices in 2014.

“I think there was a year of bad smoke and people in the community became more aware of forest fires,” he said. “I believe Sun Peaks fire department approached all the different property owners… and asked them if they want to attend an information session on how they can become more fire smart to help prevent the chance of wildfire affecting their property.”

They’ve continued with the program ever since, and Lott said while many people love living in Sun Peaks for its natural beauty, changing landscaping practices are an important consideration for protecting properties.

“It's a bit of a contentious issue with a lot of people because they like to have trees and they come up to Sun Peaks for the natural environment,” Lott explained. “The trees provide a lot of shade, privacy and a natural aesthetic that we want in Sun Peaks. But at the same time, nobody wants to contribute or be the cause of a fire that takes off and gets out of control.”

According to FireSmart BC, certain plants are fire-resistant, like deciduous, or leafy trees, whereas conifers with needles and cones are very flammable and are more likely to catch fire and impact property.

To get your property assessed for FireSmart, contact SPFR at info@sunpeaksfirerescue.com

WHO IS LOUIS CREEK NAMED AFTER?

The history of Louis Clexlixqen, a former Secwépemc Chief and possible namesake of Louis Creek.

By Hollie Ferguson

Content warning: This story contains

leadership spanned decades, ending with his death in 1915.

He spent many years advocating for land to be returned to the Secwépemc Peoples, meeting with the Governor General and other political figures across the province. He also travelled to Ottawa and then all the way to Europe, where he met with Queen Victoria to advocate for education and land rights.

Please read with care.

With files and research by Kayla Empey

Place names can uncover a lot of important history of an area. Towns and villages named after people, like Louis Creek, raise questions about the impact that person might have had.

Louis Creek is the name of both a stream off the North Thompson River and a settlement just north of Sun Peaks. So, who was Louis?

Well, it depends who you ask. Some sources say it was named after Louis Barrie and François Lavieur, two French prospectors who found gold in the area in 1861. It’s claimed that the stream became known as Frenchman’s Creek or Louis Creek, and later the village took on the same name.

However, there isn’t much information on who these men were other than early prospectors. That might be why others say Louis Creek was named after a different man, one who provides more historical context to what the area has become:

Louis Clexlixqen, the longest-running Chief of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, whose leadership spanned over 60 years.

To learn more about the legacy of Chief (Kúkpi7) Louis, Sun Peaks Independent News reached out to The Secwépemc Museum to talk with the manager of the language and culture department and Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Diena Jules.

Born in 1828, Chief Louis was also known as Petit Louis or Hli Kleh Kan and was a prominent figure in both Indigenous and settler communities.

Land back and Chief Louis’ political legacy

Chief Louis became the Secwépemc Hereditary Chief around 1855. His years as Chief are significant in Tk'emlups (Kamloops) history, as his

“Initially, we had a very large reserve,” Jules said. “When Sir James Douglas first established the reserves...it was quite large, it was back to the mountains so it was the whole area here. Then when Joseph Trutch came in and…in 1871, it was reduced to three miles by three miles.”

Under Chief Louis’ leadership and the threat of war, the boundaries of the reserve were extended to “seven miles by seven miles, including five different hunting and fishing sites,” according to Jules.

“As far as I know, this is the only reserve where the boundaries were extended.”

In establishing an agreement for the creation of the Kamloops Residential “School” (KIRS), Chief Louis also exercised masterful foresight in requiring that the initial 360 acres of land for the school be returned if not used for the benefit of Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc, one of 17 bands that make up the Secwépemc Nation.

“So that's what happened, all of the land reverted back to - [Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc] was called the Kamloops Indian Band back then,” Jules said. “With some of the existing reserves that have residential schools on them, they didn't have the same agreement that Chief Louis had. All of the communities that didn't have that foresight of a great leader like Chief Louis, they don't own the land.”

Chief Louis was also integral in the fight for water access for his and other Indigenous peoples. The reserve in Tk'emlups (Kamloops) relied heavily on Paul Lake and according to Jules, the creek was highly important for the irrigation of fields, gardens, cattle and horses and sometimes drinking water.

“Harper Ranch and the Indian Agents would sometimes cut that off from the community, so Chief Louis really fought hard to ensure that we obtain our rights,” she said.

The power the Indian Agents had over Indigenous peoples under the Indian Act allowed them to have final say over many aspects of life, dividing society along racial lines— much to the detriment of Indigenous people.

“Chief Louis with his work did an incredible amount of advocating for people all the time,” Jules said. “And it wasn’t just for this band, it was for other bands within the nation and then he also met with

Louis Clexlixqen.

other Chiefs from different nations. He was a part of the whole group that kept fighting for Indigenous rights, land and title because he could feel all of those things stripped away.”

Chief Louis’ political prowess has also extended well beyond his years as a leader. His collaboration with the Chiefs of different bands and Nations helped to create the 1910 memorial to Sir Wilred Laurier, which Jules said is still utilised today for political agreements.

Education

Chief Louis also became a church Chief, an appointment instituted by missionaries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, after he converted to Roman Catholicism in the 1860s. As a believer in the teachings of the Catholic Church, Jules was close with Reverend Father Jean-Marie-Raphaël Le Jeune for a time.

“Chief Louis helped to encourage other different band Chiefs to learn the Chinook jargon so they could encourage their communities to become Catholic,”

content about residential “schools.”

Chief

Photo from Kamloops History on Facebook

Jules told SPIN. “Father Le Juene even took him to Rome to meet the Pope because he was really proud of his accomplishments in working with him.”

Chief Louis’ relationship with Father Le Jeune was notable throughout his time as Chief, as the two initially had a strong working relationship, according to Jules.

Notably, Father Le Juene worked hand-in-hand to create the Kamloops Wawa, which translates to Kamloops Talk, a newspaper that circulated B.C. in Chinook Jargon.

“We did have a trade language - the Chinook Jargon - we did have that already for centuries before non-Indigenous people even came here, but that Chinook Jargon was used by Father Le Juene to develop the Kamloops Wawa, which was a newspaper that was spread throughout B.C.,” Jules said. “Those are big impacts.”

The paper, which was based in Catholicism from the start, was published using Chinook jargon in the Roman alphabet, in shorthand and in English and Father Le Juene recruited Indigenous correspondents to publish news from Indigenous communities.

As an ardent supporter of education and Catholicism, Chief Louis believed in the work Father Le Juene was doing at the time, Jules said.

“He wanted our people to be on equal terms as the rest of society. He believed, and rightly so, that we were no different and we had the same knowledge, skills and abilities as the rest of society."

However, by the 1900s Chief Louis was beginning to hear stories of mistreatment and abuse and according to Jules, his support for the schools was broached during the 1910 negotiations. While he agreed and maintained his support for education, he voiced concerns about Indigenous children losing

their language and culture, being separated from their families and experiencing abuse, mistreatment and neglect, all of which occurred at the KIRS and residential “schools” across the country.

Chief Louis testified at the McKenna McBride Commission in 1914 and is quoted as saying: “All that I know is, that a long time ago we made arrangements to build a school on this reserve, and it was supposed to be a Catholic School, and we built one…I expected to see my people improve when they first went to the Industrial School, but I have not seen anything of it. When they come out from school they don't seem to have improved much."

KIRS remained open despite Chief Louis’ and others concerns, attempting to deprive children of their ancestral languages, physically and sexually abusing them and causing generations of trauma. In 2021, ground penetrating technology confirmed the unmarked graves of 215 children at the site of the former school.

The school closed in 1977, but the building has remained open as a centre for Indigenous culture with the Secwépemc Museum, heritage park and powwow circle. It was later renamed Chief Louis Centre.

Chief Louis’ personal legacy

Chief Louis was also a farmer and was one of the wealthiest members of the band, according to an inventory taken in 1877 of farm stock. It says he owned 30 horses, 25 cattle, 30 pigs and 50 hens.

Even with an impressive homestead, Jules said Chief Louis shouldn't be portrayed as just a family

man or a rancher. He was much more than that and parlayed his interests in horses and livestock into thriving trade relationships.

The natural abundance of the confluence region supported agriculture and ranching for Secwépemc Peoples and much later settlers. People would travel through the area with the fur trade or gold rush and get horses, resulting in the area being home to thousands of them. This stoked Chief Louis’ interest in horse racing, gaining him respect among the broader Kamloops community.

Though possibly his most lasting legacy is his resilience in terrifying and changing times, during which he witnessed the attempted decimation of his people, the theft of Indigenous land and a changing political landscape that would impact Indigenous communities for years.

“When you think of what Chief Louis witnessed first-hand, that was a lot,” Jules said. “Going through the small pox, the whooping cough and also seeing people going off to war in World War I, you can't even imagine seeing two thirds of the Secwépemc Nation being wiped out and then all of the changes with the church and then with the gold rush and the fur trade, he witnesses all of those first-hand and yet he was able to maintain and keep working to better the rights of his people, but not just for this reserve, it was for the nation.”

When he went to England, Jules said it was in pursuit of equality and rights. When he was home, he was dedicated to leading his people and helping others. And when he passed on, nearly 60 years after becoming Chief, he left behind a legacy of a fighting spirit of a great visionary leader who, as Jules said, “will have lasting impacts for generations to come.”

STAFF ACCOMMODATIONS UNDERWAY IN SUN PEAKS

Sun Peaks Resort (SPR) LLP’s new staff accommodation brings 58 micro suites to the community.

The micro suites, which are intended for SPR staff, will be 250-300 square feet, including a full bathroom, kitchen and a living area-bedroom combo. Utility connections for water, sewage and gas are underway and work is ongoing for digging the basement, according to Darcy Alexander, chief executive officer for the corporation.

The staff accommodation will be below market rent which Alexander said will open up other rentals in Sun Peaks for community members who don’t work for SPR.

“Our staff will probably move out of those and move into this, and it's going to free up some more accommodation,” Alexander said. “So any accommodation dedicated to employees or our staff helps the situation for everybody else in the resort.”

SPR applied to Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) and held a public hearing for the application in May to rezone 1265 Alpine Rd. for the four-storey apartment building.

The municipality approved variances to the zoning bylaws so the building’s height could increase from the allowable three storeys to four, reduced the number of parking stalls from 58 to 16 and reduced the setback of the front yard at the location from 7.5 metres to 6.

The new units are expected to be open for SPR staff by November 2024. The development would increase staff accommodation to over 400 beds, as the resort currently has around 350 staff accommodation units.

While Alexander initially expected single-family homes to have more long-term rental options in Sun Peaks, he said the rise of AirBnBs in the village has altered that vision.

“When we did this 32 years ago, AirBnB wasn't a thing,” he explained. “We don't have all those suites that we thought we probably would in the rental pools for staff. So, we're moving to different options.”

‘The AirBnB issue is insane’

Long-time SPR employee Elliott Capper agrees that short-term rentals squeeze people like him out of housing in Sun Peaks.

Capper has worked at SPR for 11 years and is currently commuting from Kamloops each day for work as he struggles to find long-term housing.

Most landlords seem to prefer renting their homes short-term for AirBnB’s over providing long-term housing for staff, he said.

“The AirBnB issue now is insane. You see so many places that go out for rent in the summer, and it's a good price.”

However, these rentals often aren’t available past shoulder season, Capper said. He thinks it’s because property owners can get more revenue on short-term winter rentals.

“They want to AirBnB it because you can get 500 bucks a night,” he explained.

By Liz McDonald

reserving 40 per cent of any new non-market housing for employees of developers who create non-market housing.

Other ideas presented in the report included establishing rental housing policies, potential property tax exemptions and waiving development cost charges (DCC) for non-market ownership housing by 50 per cent. DCCs are fees SPMRM collects on new developments that help pay for infrastructure, including sewers, water connections or roads.

A 2021 study by Makola Developments, reported on by SPIN, showed employers face difficulty finding housing for employees, and the municipality's efforts to solve the issue through the Sun Peaks Housing Authority have been slow-moving.

The study noted Sun Peaks’ large seasonal population, which grows each winter with 700 seasonal staff who work at SPR, alongside about 1000 additional seasonal employees, makes affordable housing problematic for all community members when land is scarce and expensive.

Another notable issue for long-term housing, according to Makola Developments’ study, is longterm options aren’t on par with the number of shortterm rentals. In 2020, short-term rentals could fetch $500 per night. The number of rentals has climbed from 109 in 2016 to close to 800 by 2019.

Sun Peaks’ population has doubled since 2016, according to the 2021 census, becoming B.C.’s fastest growing municipality. The population surged 127.9 per cent in five years, with 616 official residents in 2016, soaring to 1,404 by 2021.

Costs for single-family homes are rising faster than any other place in the province, according to BC Assessment data. The provincial Crown corporation found home values increased by 44 per cent between July 1, 2021 and July 1, 2022. The average property is valued near $1.6 million.

While Capper can drive to Sun Peaks during the summer, winter driving presents less than ideal conditions.

“When you go home in the winter, finishing at 5:30 it’s dark out and the roads are slicker than anything,” he said. “It takes its toll after a while.”

Housing shortages ongoing

Two studies on housing in Sun Peaks show there’s a high need for affordable housing.

The municipality hired Whistler Centre for Sustainability Engagement + Planning to create a non-market housing strategy, which released a report in the summer of 2022. The report showed while there are 1,506 private dwellings in Sun Peaks, only 622 house permanent residents.

Some recommendations Sun Peaks Housing Authority chose to prioritize include supporting housing projects – like the new staff accommodation built by SPR – and potentially

While the housing crisis in Sun Peaks won’t be solved immediately, Alexander said future developments by SPR are planned but not approved for parcel 74 across the road from the current construction site.

The potential future building would be open for renting to all community members and could include a purchasing option.

“That would be out of the Housing Authority – all those deals haven’t been made yet – but that’s the concept,” Alexander told SPIN.

Capper wants to have more done by the Housing Authority.

“You keep hearing talk of affordable housing programs that are coming in, but that never seems to be any action on it,” Capper said.

When he has sometimes found options suited to his needs, he’s been asked to pay increased utilities during the winter or sign a seasonal lease. He also finds many landlords aren’t open to his pet cat, either.

Living in staff accommodation is no longer enjoyable to the veteran employee of SPR, and if he can’t find housing locally, he said he will continue commuting each day.

“I don't want to have to be moving three or four times in the space of two years because it's only a seasonal rental. I just want to set my roots and stay.”

Sun Peaks Resort (SPR) LLP is building a new staff accommodation that will be open to employees working for the corporation by fall of 2024.

Photo by Liz Mcdonald

The new building will house close to 60 Sun Peaks Resort LLP employees and should be ready by fall 2024.

HEFFLEY CREEK STORE FUNDRAISER SEEKS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY AFTER THEFT

By Liz McDonald

Community members in and around Heffley Creek are rallying to support a long-standing business that suffered a break in in July.

Around 4 a.m. on the morning of July 3, an alarm went off at the Heffley Creek Store on Yellowhead Highway, according to a press release from Kamloops RCMP. When officers arrived, they found the front door smashed open and various items taken. In response to the crime, locals organized a fundraiser, with plans to give the money raised to the store’s staff and the community.

Deb McDougall-Bergstrand, manager of Heffley Creek Community Hall, decided to organize a fundraiser for the Heffley Creek Store because of the hall's support from the owners.

“They're always willing to donate to the community for anything,” McDougall-Bergstrang said.

The fundraiser dinner and silent auction at the Heffley Creek Community Hall will be Aug. 12 and doors open at 4 p.m.

So far, event organizers said they’ve received donations from various local businesses for the silent auction and locally farmed food for dinner that evening. Multiple musicians are also giving their time for the event.

McDougall-Bergstrand encourages people to buy a ticket in advance or RSVP and pick it up at the door because it helps plan the dinner and reduce food waste.

“Let's come together as a community, raise some funds, have dinner with your family and friends and get some good stuff,” she said.

While the financial hit to the business is around $20,000, one of the store’s owners, Trent Leggett, said the community’s support makes him feel “honoured.”

“It's been an outpouring of support, and honestly, we feel honoured to be part of that community,” Leggett told SPIN.

The theft amounted to around $12,000 in lost goods, including alcohol, propane, cigarettes and ice cream, Leggett said. Damage to the store’s front door and cigarette stand amounted to another $8,000.

However, half of any money raised would be given to his staff and the other half to a community initiative, Leggett explained.

“We love the support that we get from the community, but we don't want them to feel the need to donate it to the store specifically,” Leggett said.

While the building has been in Heffley Creek for 126 years, Leggett has owned and operated the community gas station and convenience store since 2009. Over the years, he’s formed longlasting bonds with customers who are also his community.

“They're not only our customers every day, but there’s a pretty big loyalty in regards to the Heffley Creek community,” Leggett said.

McDougall-Bergstrand described the store as “standing room only Friday nights.”

People hoping to make the fundraiser as packed can RSVP by calling the hall at 250-578-7525 and learn more about the event on Facebook.

While the building has been in Heffley Creek for 126 years, Leggett has owned and operated the community gas station and convenience store since 2009. Over the years, he’s formed long-lasting bonds with customers who are also his community.

Photo by Liz McDonald

Trent Leggett, one of the owners of the convenience store says, ‘we feel honoured to be part of that community.’

LOONS ON HEFFLEY LAKE ARE IN DANGER, ANNUAL HEFFLEY LAKE BIRD COUNT FINDS

The count helps determine the health of Heffley Lake and informs various organizations about changes in local waterfowl.

By Liz McDonald

Each year since 2009, members of the Heffley Lake Community Association’s (HLCA) Lake Stewardship Committee (LSC) track waterfowl through the Heffley Lake bird count, but over the last two years, the number of loons on the lake has decreased, causing concern among group members.

The Heffley Lake bird count began when members thought the waterfowl on the lake was dropping. Members began tracking birds each year and sending the information to the BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change to determine if that was the case. They also started participating in a common loon count with Birds Canada to assess the population of local loons each season.

Margaret Stewart takes part in the count each year, and she was inspired to track loons after reading an article from Birds Canada, which uses the information from the loon count for its Canadian Lakes Loon Survey (CLLS).

She and other LSC members gather a handful of times each spring and summer to count the waterfowl. They divide the lake into six areas and carefully observe wildlife, mark down their findings

Two common loons floating on Heffley Lake. Photo by Bill Jennejohn

Loon chicks riding on the back of their mother on Heffley Lake. Photo by Bill Jennejohn

and discuss what they saw. Stewart said this approach helps reduce the chances birds are double counted.

“We might see a loon in one area, he’s gone under for a fish or something, then he’s way over in another area,” she explained.

For Stewart, the return of loons when the ice starts to recede is a sign of the seasons changing.

“It's exciting to hear those loons come back in the spring...when they come, it means ‘hey, spring is underway – summers coming,” Stewart explained.

‘We’re not doing too well’

Last year, the Heffley Lake loon counters found an adult loon dead from blunt trauma and this season, they have yet to find any loon chicks, a departure from the past when Stewart said it was not uncommon to see loon chicks riding on their mothers’ back.

The lack of chicks on Heffley Lake this year could be part of a trend. Loon reproduction is on the decline, according to the data gathered in the CLLS.

Since the early 1990s, Canada-wide common loon reproduction has declined. Three decades ago, the average loon pair produced around 0.7 young. Recently, their reproduction sits around 0.55. If the trend keeps going and dips below 0.48, the populations of loons will dwindle.

Loons nest in the same location for as many years as possible, often fighting other loons to

protect their claims. The long-term nesting location, combined with the fact that chicks are fed from a single lake during their rearing, indicates whether a lake is healthy, according to Kathy Jones, a biologist with Birds Canada who works on the CLLS.

However, the cause of a decline in chicks on Heffley Lake – and in Canada – isn’t clear. Various factors from human activity, variable water temperatures during breeding, predators, acid rain, mercury levels and climate change, are all hypothesized to harm loon reproduction.

Heffley Lake – beloved by wildlife and humans

Heffley Lake has boating, swimming, paddleboarding, fishing, wakeboarding and homes along the shoreline, all increasing human-wildlife encounters.

Human activity on the lake, which could potentially upset the loons’ habitat, include people disturbing nesting loons when they come across them –intentionally or by accident – as well as waves from wakeboarding.

Jones said loons often nest along shorelines, and the more undulations in a shoreline, the better the habitat for fish that loons enjoy.

“The more natural vegetation on the shoreline, chances are that you find an appropriate location in the territory,” she said.

But, shorelines can be a favourite place for people on a paddleboad or kayak to travel along, leading to loons leaping off their nests.

Another factor which poses a problem for nesting loons comes from wakeboarding.

Wake Boat waves are more powerful than the average boat, which can cause erosion on shorelines and stir up sediment that enters water intake for people’s homes on the lake, Jones explained.

“They have a very different mechanism to create waves. While they go very slowly, they make a very powerful wave that can have a greater impact on the shoreline,” he said.

Wakeboarding also stirs up siltation and algae at the bottom of the lake, as well as any garbage that’s settled in over the years.

“That affects fish, that affects birds – it could also affect the water supply,” Jones said.

Transport Canada is considering changing regulations around boating to separate types of watercraft allowed on lakes. Currently, regulations don’t allow for boat-specific bans. The HLCA got involved in the consultation process in 2021 because of concerns over environmental degredation from wakeboarding.

Transport Canada is currently soliciting public feedback until Aug. 16 from the public.

Regardless of what’s causing the decline, there are important steps people can take to protect wildlife on the lake, from leaving nesting loons alone during the early spring and summer, to fishing with tackle that doesn’t contain lead. Reducing single-use plastics and considering how each person's activities impact the environment are also ways to be more mindful in nature, according to Jones.

EVENTS

AUGUST 11 - SEPTEMBER 08

Weekly

MONDAYS

Quizzy Rascal nights are back for the summer at Morrisey's Public House! Starting at 8 p.m., grab your team of six, pay $2 and reserve your table in advance.

TUESDAYS

Bottom's Bar + Grill has Taco Tuesdays.

THURSDAYS

Games night at Morrisey's Public House starts at 3 p.m.

FRIDAYS

AA meetings at Sun Peaks Secondary Academy at 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAYS

Kamloops Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Live music at Morrisey's starts at 8 p.m.

SUNDAYS

Sun Peaks market in the village runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and features local vendors with art, food, beverages and more.

August

Aug. 12

Head out to Heffley Creek Community Hall for a fundraiser in support of the Heffley Creek Store which experienced a break and enter at the beginning of July. Doors open at 4 p.m., and you can get tickets for the event by emailing HeffleyCreekHallRentals@gmail.com or calling 250-578-7525

Adaptive Sports Sun Peaks has a demo day in partnership with Kootenay Adaptive Sports Association (KASA).

KASA is bringing adaptive bikes for community members interested in trying mountain biking. Events for the day include demo rides from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. outside of Guest Services, lunch from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and a progression clinic at Progression Park from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register online at sunpeaksresort.com

Enjoy live music at Vertical Cafe with Groovin’ in the Garden. Marc Smith plays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Aug. 14

Delight in a four-course farm-to-table meal at Vertical Cafe at 6 p.m., featuring locally sourced meat, seasonal vegetables and wines. The evening also includes live music from Ari Neufeld. Contact the cafe to reserve your seats today verticalcafesunpeaksbc@gmail.com

Aug. 18 to 20

The Dunbar Summer Series brings the Canada Cup Finals and BC Cup to Sun Peaks Resort.

Aug. 19

Groovin’ in the Garden at Vertical Cafe features live music from Kris Ruston from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Come enjoy a free concert by Sun Peaks Resort with indie-pop band Sister Speak from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Village Stage.

Aug. 24

Kamloops Pride Week Drag Show is at the Blue Grotto, doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. The 19+ event features performances by Alma Bitches, Ilona Verley, Justin Abit, Hollie Woods.

Aug. 24 to 27

JuggerBean Tattoo Parlour has a flash tattoo event. Tattoos are predesigned and the event runs each day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Email juggerbean@gmail.com to find out more.

Aug. 25 to 27

Calling all retro enthusiasts! Sun Peaks Resort has its 12th annual Retro Concert Weekend with live music in the village and a beer garden. Bring your lawn chair for slopeside concerts and rock out to cover bands slopeside.

Aug. 26

Catheryne Bosse brings live music to Vertical Cafe from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

September

Sept. 1

First Fridays is back for August and features an artisan market and circus performances, as well as a free concert by Yellow Brick Road Experience featuring Andrew Johns. The day-long events run from 4 p.m. to 9:40 p.m.

Sept. 2

Steve Smith plays at Vertical Cafe from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for Groovin’ in the Garden.

Sept. 2 to 4

The North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo is back for the Labour Day weekend, featuring logging events from chainsaw carving to axe throwing, 4-H competitions, exhibits and more at the North Thompson Fall Fair Rodeo & Agriplex in Barriere.

THIS IS THE PITS!

by Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords

You Gotta Be Kidding solution

41 Intense interrogation

44 Diner owner in "Garfield"

45 Prefix that's left of centre?

59 Dues

60 Country's Cline

38 "When a man is wrapped up in ___ he makes a pretty small package": John Ruskin

39 Lukewarm

40 Crossword solver's words before checking the solution

47 Overused

48 "Grand Theft ___"

49 Desert-dry

50 Krabappel of "The Simpsons"

51 Deeply engrossed

52 They made a split decision?

LOCAL NATIONAL CHAMPION DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKER QUALIFIES FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Brock Hawes is Canada’s junior men’s national champion in downhill mountain biking after an impressive win at Fernie Alpine Resort.

By Liz McDonald

Local downhill mountain biker Brock Hawes is officially the junior men's national champion. Hawes is currently on tour for the summer and recently competed in the 2023 Canadian Downhill MTB Championship at Fernie Alpine Resort in July. SPIN caught up with Hawes while he was back in Sun Peaks for a short visit.

In Fernie, Hawes not only won the top spot for his division but also had the fastest time of the day, with a winning time of 2:31.04.

“I ended up getting the fastest time of the day by two seconds over all the previous World Cup Racers. So that was pretty neat to do,” Hawes said.

The win came after a bad crash the day before.

“It took a lot of my confidence out in a couple of sections, but I was able to overcome it and put down a good race.”

The Gravity Racing athlete’s competition at Fernie qualified him for the World MTB Championships in Scotland. Hawes said his goal for Scotland is

to make the top ten. He thinks the new bike he’s riding, a Forbidden downhill prototype, will help him compete.

“My confidence is a lot higher on that bike than it was on the other one,” he said, adding the suspension on his ride is more impressive than his previous bike, the Dreadnaught.

In June, Hawes headed to Lenzerheide, Switzerland, Leogang, Austria and Val di Sole, Italy, for races throughout Europe.

As this was his first international tour, Hawes said the experience was a lesson in expenses as well as the difference in pollen.

“When we arrived in Frankfurt and then drove to Switzerland, there was a lot of pollen in the air that we weren't used…my nose was all clogged up and I was coughing. Once we went off to Austria, it got better,” Hawes explained.

Another aspect to contend with was the cost of travelling in Switzerland, and Hawes said he and his family are still accepting donations through their online campaign.

“Switzerland was super expensive – a lot more expensive than I thought it would be. My Dad and I went out for breakfast a couple of times, and two omelets, two coffees, was like $75 Canadian,” he explained.

Hawes still has high hopes that this season’s results will land him on a factory team, which would provide him with sponsorship and alleviate the high cost of the competition.

After he competes in Scotland, Hawes is slated to head to the Canada Cup at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Aug. 13. Then he’s back home in Sun Peaks for the Canada Cup finals Aug. 20.

After that, he’s headed to France for two competitions in September, then returns to North America for a US-based competition and another in Quebec.

To keep up with Hawes, you can follow him on Instagram @brock_hawes

Brock Hawes stands at the top of the podium after winning the 2023 Canadian Downhill MTB Championship.

Photo submitted

SUN PEAKS SKATE PARK FOUNDATION SEEKS TO SECURE LAND FOR LONG-AWAITED PARK

By Liz McDonald

Sun Peaks Skate Park Foundation (SPSF) is continuing ongoing efforts to fundraise for a skateboarding park in the community, with recent events to get wheels rolling held in July. While these events are important to gain community and financial support, members of SPSF said a land commitment from Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) is key to moving forward with grant processes.

Olivia Martin, the communications director for SPSF, recalled that growing up part-time in Sun Peaks offered few low-cost summer activities.

“All there really was to do was go to the pool,” Martin said. “Mountain biking was obviously a cost, golfing, but there was really a lack of a financially accessible and easy activities to do for kids at the time.”

A skate park would help fill this gap Martin said, but while SPSF has focused heavily on grant applications since they started working toward a skate park in 2012, they’re struggling to secure further funding.

“We've gotten really close to a lot of things and now it's becoming this chicken and egg circle,” Martin explained. “Nobody wants to give you substantial money until you have the exact location.”

To date, the foundation has raised $66,000 to build the park with SPMRM promising $50,000 in matching funds. Other financial contributions include $25,000 in in-kind donations from Powder Ventures Excavations. However, the exact amount needed to fund the project is highly dependent on the available space to build before the foundation can get accurate site design quotes.

In terms of location, Peter Wilson, the president of SPSF said the organization would ideally model Sun Peaks skate

park after Parkgate Skatepark in North Vancouver.

“It’s wedged between the library and local pool,” Wilson explained. With the lack of available space in Sun Peaks, the conditions match the small space of Parkgate Wilson said.

Shane Bourke, chief administrative officer for SPMRM, meets frequently with SPSF and said the municipality initially considered a site location for the skate park at the P5 school portables but the land had to be reallocated because of increased enrollment.

“That was more urgent, so we have been looking for a new site and we’re discussing with the school district,” Bourke said. However, finding a suitable location has been challenging because the municipality owns minimal vacant land.

While there are ongoing discussions with School District 73 about having a skate park when a school is built in Sun Peaks, SD73 has not committed to the project.

“The municipality approached myself and asked if we could consider looking at options for the location of the skate park,” said Art McDonald, director of facilities for SD73.

“We’ve agreed to look at it, but there was no commitment on our part.”

SD73 has other needs to consider for a future school, including supporting infrastructure like parking, playgrounds and fields, McDonald said.

Wherever the skatepark ends up, Martin and SPSF believes it will provide a gathering space for the community.

“It's a skate park, but it's not just for skateboarding,” she said. ”It would be open to bikes… scooters, rollerblading. A place for not just kids, but the whole community to gather [for a] free and accessible activity.”

Community members who want a skate park in Sun Peaks came out for Go Skateboarding Day. Photo submitted by SPSF

Sun Peaks Skate Park Foundation president Peter Wilson stands holding a sign with community members at Go Skateboarding Day.

Photo submitted by SPSF

'A place for not just kids, but the whole community': Sun Peaks Skate Park Foundation advocates for free, accessible recreation infrastructure.

ALPINE RESORT REALTY

EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED

LOCATED AT SUN PEAKS SINCE 1995

OPEN DAILY AT THE KOOKABURRA LODGE

T: 250 578 8222

TF: 1 800 663 2838

E: info@sunpeaksrealty.com

$ 1,229,000

$1,599,000

Upscale 2 bedroom 2 bath fully furnished vacation property comes well appointed with a fully outfitted spacious kitchen with cherry cabinets and granite counter tops, plus a cozy fireplace to gather around, in suite laundry and central air conditioning. Enjoy mountain and village views from your very own private deck. Shops and dining are just steps away. True ski-in, skiout convenience in the heart of the village with amenities such as a outdoor pool, hot tubs, gym, sauna, restaurants, bike & ski valet, room service, heated underground parking and more. GST applicable.

This is a welcoming 3 bedroom ski-in chalet with separate self-contained 2 bedroom legal suite on a large lot backing onto forested ski terrain. With an abundance of sunshine and mountain views, this 5 bedroom home plus loft presents solid revenue options and space for your family and friends to relax and enjoy the resort lifestyle. The main floor is an inviting open living space that features a cozy gas fireplace, vaulted ceiling, soaring windows and direct access to a spacious sunny deck where you can enjoy views to Mt Morrisey ski runs and the golf course.

$3,395,000

This is an excellent opportunity to own a piece of heaven on the tranquil shores on Heffley Lake. Find solitude in this lakefront 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage with detached garage and workshop with additional studio space and bathroom. The main floor features an open kitchen, dining room and living room with vaulted ceiling, wood burning rock fireplace and sliding doors that open up to your sundeck overlooking the lake. The lower-level feature two additional bedrooms, bright family room and laundry space opening up to the side yard and outside shower. This year-round home is situated on .39 acres with exceptional waterfront & your own private dock that can easily be transformed into a flatboat.

Situated in the very heart of four season Sun Peaks Resort, this cozy top fl oor deluxe studio loft has it all! Featuring large windows to take in the sunny East facing view, plus a full kitchen, which accommodates nicely for extended stays - year round. Entirely renovated with new countertops, sinks and faucets in kitchen & bathroom, new appliances, mattresses, attractive furnishings, beautiful laminate fl ooring, paint, lighting, artwork, décor items and curtains. Spacious airy loft with bonus seating area provides the perfect amount of separation Appreciate the easy access out your front door to all four season activities!

Welcome to this highly anticipated, one of a kind lakefront offering. The covered entry strikes a welcoming note as soon as you enter the front door to the impressive panoramic vista of Heffley Lake. The floor-to-ceiling windows and fireplace set the stage for entertaining and enjoying the quintessential lake life. Designed for comfort and relaxation, the unique materials were hand-selected, including custom forged steel hardware throughout, kiln dried full dimensional Douglas Fir beams and trim. A beautifully planned and brilliant two bedroom, custom timber frame home that will capture your imagination. Call now to arrange your private viewing!

This is a fractional interest offering secured by title to a 1/4 interest registered in the Provincial Land Titles Office. The property is a south facing deluxe 2 bedroom apartment in the ski-in/ski-out Grand Residences located in the heart of the Sun Peaks village. This spacious suite is fully furnished with amenities including granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, heated tile floors in bathroom and kitchen, cherry cabinets, deluxe master with soaker tub and separate shower, and in suite laundry. Owners in the Residences are offered use of pool, hot tubs, exercise room, and ski concierge. GST applies.

Nancy Greene's Cahilty Hotel and Suites is an unrestricted owner use full service hotel offering ski to the door access to the slopes. This third floor lock-off offers fantastic views of the main mountain, while having the flexibility of renting or using the studio side or the bedroom side separately, or as a suite of rooms. This property has a fresh modern look having just been totally renovated and comfortably sleeps 8. The in house rental management provides flexible opportunities for personal use and revenue. Offered fully furnished; GST applies.

1210B THE RESIDENCES

$90,000

QUARTER OWNERSHIP Deluxe 1 bedroom apartment in prime village central location. Enjoy fine finishing a lavish comfort in this great ski-in/ski-out location. Enjoy all the amenities of the Grand hotel including ski and bike valet, hot tubs, swimming pool, fitness centre, room service, shops and more. Fully equipped kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, in suite laundry, gracious bedroom with king bed and well appointed bath with soaker tub. All ownership expenses are include in your monthly strata fee. GST applies.

This well appointed upper floor 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo with fantastic mountain views provides easy access to the East Village Orient lift, Nordic network , snow shoeing, mountain biking, golf, and tennis. Originally owned and never been rented, this attractive mountain retreat shines and is ready to occupy. Private covered deck, cozy gas fireplace, hardwood upgrade, vaulted ceiling, exceptional window package, ski locker directly outside your front door, 1 covered pkg. space plus a large storage cage in the u/g parking. TA zoning allows for nightly rentals. Offered furnished; GST n/a.

#69 SETTLER’S CROSSING $749,900

#317/319 NANCY GREENE’S CAHILTY LODGE $375,000

#1313B THE RESIDENCES $164,900

#453 NANCY GREENE’S CAHILTY LODGE $289,000

2388 HEFFLEY LAKE ROAD

2203 SUNBURST DRIVE

2556 GOLDEN HORN ROAD

1305 B & C THE RESIDENCES

$159,500 EACH