BED: BATH: 4 FURNISHED 3,904 SQ.FT. ZONED RS-1 | BUILT IN 2008
PROPERTY OVERVIEW
Experience the pinnacle of mountain living in Sun Peaks’ prestigious ski-in, ski-out community of Lookout Ridge with this exceptional 3900+ sq ft log home.
Combining the rustic warmth of log construction with modern elegance, enjoy features such as traditional Elmira appliances, radiant in-floor heating powered by an economical electrical boiler, and stunning modern lighting throughout. This fully furnished sanctuary is adorned with exclusive pieces that enhance its charm, creating an atmosphere of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Indulge in entertainment with a theatre room and utilize the home office for work or personal projects. Each bedroom includes an ensuite bath for privacy and convenience. Outside, a spacious deck offers breathtaking mountain views, with a gazebo-covered hot tub for year-round relaxation.
Lookout Ridge Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
4202
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213 - 1130 Sun Peaks Rd. Sun Peaks, B.C.
IN THIS ISSUE
05
THIS MONTH AT COUNCIL
This month at council is a monthly version of This Week At Council, our bi-weekly newsletter where we recap recent Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality Council meetings. Sign up for the newsletter at sunpeaksnews.com.
06
MEET THE 2024 GRADUATES FROM SUN PEAKS SECONDARY ACADEMY
This year’s graduates discuss their plans for the future and what they’ve learned while in Sun Peaks.
08
SUN PEAKS MOUNTAIN RESORT MUNICIPALITY IS SEEKING A THIRD PARTY OPERATOR TO RUN THE SUN PEAKS COMMUNITY DAYCARE
BRANDI SCHIER
Publisher brandi@sunpeaksnews.com
ANAM RAHMAN
Partnerships Specialist anam@sunpeaksnews.com
HOLLIE FERGUSON
Community Editor editor@sunpeaksnews.com
NICOLE PERRY
Community Journalist nicole@sunpeaksnews.com
CHRIS PAYNE
Layout & Graphic Designer
The municipality opened the daycare in November 2023 with plans to transition operations to a qualified daycare provider.
12
AFTER SIX YEARS WITH SUN PEAKS HEALTH CENTRE, DR. SHANE BARCLAY IS RETIRING
All current, permanent residents will be transferred to the centre’s new doctor, Catherine Nowierski.
14
SUN PEAKS YOGA IS CLOSING ITS DOORS AFTER FOUR YEARS OF BUSINESS
As a business that opened just before the COVID-19 pandemic, the yoga studio hasn’t been able to bring in enough revenue to stay afloat.
16
SUN PEAKS COMMUNITY LODGE IS A NEWLY LAUNCHED WEBSITE TO HELP STAFF SECURE LONG-TERM HOUSING
Sun Peaks Community Lodge incentivizes landlords to rent to permanent staff of Sun Peaks Resort LLP with the help of local businesses.
18
MEMBERS OF THE HEFFLEY LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ARE TRAINED AND READY TO RESPOND TO WILDFIRES
BC Wildfire offered its services to Heffley Lake to train volunteers in fire suppression skills for the 2024 wildfire season.
20
SUN PEAKS HOSTS 2024 BC SENIOR WOMEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
This is the first time Sun Peaks Golf Course has held a tournament of this level.
21
THE SUN PEAKS AMBASSADOR TEAM IS BACK AND CELEBRATING LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKERS FOR THE SUMMER
The Sun Peaks Ambassador Team is back and celebrating local mountain bikers for the summer
22 EVENTS
Check out local and regional events happening soon.
23 PUZZLES
Can you tackle this month’s crossword? Plus, a new Sudoku and the answers to last month’s puzzles.
Become a member of Sun
THIS MONTH AT COUNCIL
This month at council is a monthly version of This Week At Council, our bi-weekly newsletter where we recap recent Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality Council meetings. Sign up for the newsletter at sunpeaksnews.com.
Staff reports
Sun Peaks’ chief administrative officer, Deanna Campbell informed council and the public of the operations of the Sun Peaks Pool for this summer. The municipality technically owns the space, but she said Alpine Fitness will be operating it as a commercial pool, and to contact them with any questions.
Fire Chief Dean Schiavon reported good increases in firefighter numbers, due in part to the progress of the four Work Experience Program (WEP) trainees included in the number of active trained responders. In their community chipping event, Sun Peaks Fire Rescue was able to remove 20 tons of chipping.
Schiavon also reported that five short-term rental
listings are still active and have received additional $500 fines after being mailed and fined back in February. Five letters were sent out to each noncompliant listing.
On the public works side of things, director of infrastructure Clint Burton stated they are about two thirds of the way through the designated road repair budget, leaving enough room for any small repairs that may still be necessary.
Bill-44: Zoning Bylaw Amendment, Bylaw 0220
Council gave more readings to the Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 0220 under Bill-44 in order to approve it by the June 30 deadline.
The bylaw is to implement mandatory changes under provincial government legislation Bill-44 which is on ‘Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing’, which requires local governments under 5,000 in population, which includes Sun Peaks, to update their zoning bylaws allowing secondary suites in zones where single-family residential dwellings are permitted.
The bylaw discussed in this meeting was approved after amending language that required dwellings to have separate meters for utilities, adding extra cost for tenants. This part of the bylaw was removed, and the definition of short-term rental was restricted, ensuring clarity that a residential dwelling is not a short-term rental, and that this bylaw isn’t to create short-term rental opportunities.
Approved reports and legislation
Council gave three readings to Business Licensing and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 0203-004, which has triggered confusion in the community on what part of the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act (regulating short-term rentals) applies to resort communities. Campbell clarified that the only part of the act that does not apply is the principal resident requirement, which limits rentals to the host’s principal residence. Council also agreed to incorporate the definition of a short-term rental that the provincial legislation uses into their licensing bylaw.
The 2023 annual report and financial report were both accepted as is.
Council authorized staff to sign a memorandum of understanding between GlobalMedic and Sun Peaks Fire Rescue for the donation of a fire fighting skid unit, authorizing staff as well to direct Forsite Consultants to submit a proposal to the Forest Enhancement Society of BC on the Municipality’s behalf for a prescription to be created along the east evacuation route.
They also approved the inclusion of $1,363,732 of future interest to be paid under existing MFA loans 152 and 158 into the 2024 Development Cost Charge program revision and an application to the Watershed Security Fund grant for $133,800, to support ongoing stream monitoring in Armitage, Yarrow and McGillivray Creeks.
MEET THE 2024 GRADUATES FROM SUN PEAKS SECONDARY ACADEMY
This year’s graduates discuss their plans for the future and what they’ve learned while in Sun Peaks.
By Nicole Perry
This year's graduates of Sun Peaks Secondary Academy told SPIN how much they loved the experience of getting to learn and grow in Sun Peaks.
Having a tight knit community appealed to each of the four grads, and it’s helped them along the path to where they are today.
Marking the completion of their secondary education, a ceremony was held Wednesday, June 26 with a village walk, followed by speeches and awards at the upper village stage.
Kelly Deis
Born in the Kootenays and having lived in Alberta and Kamloops as well, Kelly Deis didn’t grow up in Sun Peaks, but she and her family love the area and were grateful to move here two years ago.
The draw of the mountains and benefits of nature is what Deis loves about Sun Peaks.
“I think I learned better in a normal school, but I preferred the school so much more up here and like the community,” she said. Next year, she will be joining Thompson Rivers University (TRU) for a degree in natural resource science, having always been drawn to nature. She plans to go into forestry conservation after that.
Paula Erler
After struggling with a torn meniscus injury during her 15 years of dancing, valedictorian Paula Erler hopes to pursue biology and become a doctor.
“I've always enjoyed helping people,” she shared.
Erler is choosing to take a gap year to work and travel, then will be starting at TRU next fall in the science program.
Having grown up in Sun Peaks, she said she’s the first girl to go through all her schooling from kindergarten to Grade 12 in town.
“Everyone knows everyone, and everyone cares about everyone,” she said of growing up in such a small community.
Nayte Brown
Sun Peaks has been a perfect place for Nayte Brown to spend the last eight years, given his passion for snowboarding.
He was born in Sechelt, B.C. and grew up in Kamloops, where he lived prior to Sun Peaks.
This summer, he’ll be trying to get into wildland firefighting, then plans on continuing to compete in freestyle snowboarding this winter, as well as coaching.
The self-paced school system in Sun Peaks worked well for him, as he graduated with district honours.
“I find it a lot easier reading and being a technical learner instead of an audible learner,” he said.
He has no immediate post-secondary plans, but said he enjoyed many courses in school, making it hard to choose one path.
Ryland Brown
Unlike the others who are all 18 years old, Ryland Brown is graduating at only 16, alongside his older brother Nayte.
During his time at school, Ryland worked jobs at Masa’s Bar and Grill and Cleavage Axe Co. Now he plans on spending the summer working in construction.
“From there, I'll decide whether I want to pursue it as a career or if I feel like I want to do something else with my education or work,” he said.
During high school he enjoyed math and science, particularly physics, but if he were to pursue post-secondary, he’d opt for the construction trades program.
2024 Sun Peaks Secondary Academy graduates.
Photo by Noah Lara
July 11 | July 25 | Aug 15 4:00pm-7:00pm
100% of the proceeds donated to the KBRA, KPCC and SPRTA. Tickets are limited, don’t miss out. sunpeaksresort.com/locals-days
Photo by Reuben Krabbe Secwépemc
SUN PEAKS MOUNTAIN RESORT MUNICIPALITY IS SEEKING A THIRD PARTY OPERATOR TO RUN THE SUN PEAKS COMMUNITY DAYCARE
The municipality opened the daycare in November 2023 with plans to transition operations to a qualified daycare provider.
By Nicole Perry
After managing Sun Peaks Community Daycare since November 2023, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) is working to transfer daycare operations to a third party.
Daycares are not typically the business of a municipality, said Deanna Campbell, chief administrative officer for SPMRM. She spoke on behalf of council at their regular meeting on June 18, as well as to SPIN directly on the topic of this transition.
Reasons for a switch in operations
Beyond lacking the expertise that a specialist in childcare could offer, Campbell also said council’s focus is on traditional municipal services such as wastewater capacities, roads and property taxes.
“I think that the daycare and the daycare staff will benefit from increased support and a dedicated childcare provider and operator,” she said.
At the latest regular council meeting, a parent shared some concerns felt by themselves and other parents in the community, starting with a statement of how life changing the Sun Peaks Daycare has been for them.
This individual asked why the decision wasn’t made eight months ago at the daycare’s launch, and Campbell explained that the priority of SPMRM was getting the daycare open, and the plan was always to switch to a third party operator.
“The majority of daycares in B.C. are operated by third party qualified daycare providers that have that industry expertise and insight into running a daycare,” Campbell told SPIN.
Some other concerns revolved around implications the switch could have, especially on staff and their benefits. Though Campbell stated negotiations with a third party operator once they reach that stage of the process will be confidential, the municipality is committed to being open and transparent on everything they can be.
“A question and answer document was actually sent out to parents yesterday,” she said. “When we get further along in the process, we will have a town hall type of meeting.”
Part of the criteria SPMRM have stated in their expression of interest going out to potential service providers is retaining staff and negotiating their benefits.
The process of transitioning
The municipality has hired a daycare consultant who is assisting them in writing their expression of interest, which Campbell said will be circulated to non-profit and for-profit daycare providers in the region.
The expression of interest goes out in July, with proposals from eligible providers set to be evaluated in August.
“The purpose of an expression of interest process is to allow us to establish criteria that we'll be able to measure the proposals against,” she said. This determines they have the financial capacity, knowledge and experience to run the daycare and will agree to the terms set by SPMRM.
The expression of interest states that they’re seeking a third party to operate their licensed daycare, outlining the capacity, number of children and age group, and includes expectations for applicants.
“We've built in quite a quite a bit of safeguards to ensure that we're getting the right provider,” she said, explaining that the provider is required to provide a licensing transition plan for evaluation, as well as a staffing plan and a recruitment plan to ensure they’re well positioned to to continue to recruit for Early Childhood Educators to work at the daycare.
“Should we select someone that we feel meets the criteria, then negotiations would take place probably late August [or] September,” she said. “A transition plan would be developed in consultation with that successful provider with an expectation that the full
transition of operations would take place later in the fall.”
The contract post negotiations will include penalties for not fulfilling the operational requirements.
Campbell said they expect that those applying to the expression of interest may be operating one or more daycare facilities elsewhere.
“That would mean that maybe they would be able to provide backup staff from other centers in the event of shortages, or they would have connections with ECE [Early Childhood Education] training facilities and other streams of ECEs who might be relocating to B.C. from both other provinces or abroad,” she said.
The municipality’s role
The municipality will still have quite a bit of involvement in daycare operations.
Besides overseeing the service contract, Campbell said they’d also be providing a financial commitment.
“We're willing to subsidize the daycare,” she said. “So we would provide the daycare facility to the successful provider, rent or lease free, which is significant for any daycare provider. We would look at providing other subsidies such as yearly grants, and things like that.”
For any questions from parents, she said she urges them to contact her at cao@ sunpeaksmunicipality.ca.
Sun Peaks Community Daycare. Photo provided by Deanna Campbell
mins from Sun Peaks, custom timber Listing Agents: Quinn Rischmueller PREC* & Chris Town
AFTER SIX YEARS WITH SUN PEAKS HEALTH CENTRE, DR. SHANE BARCLAY IS RETIRING
All current, permanent residents will be transferred to the centre’s new doctor, Catherine Nowierski.
By Nicole Perry
Sun Peaks’ doctor, Shane Barclay, retired at the end of June after working in Sun Peaks since the launch of the health centre six years ago.
“No one really had a permanent physician unless they were seen by somebody in Kamloops,” he said about Sun Peaks prior to the centre opening. Since coming to Sun Peaks, he was able to attach residents to a family physician.
Though not the only physician in town, he is the only one working full-time. Signy Frank works part-time on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Luckily, Barclay was able to find a replacement in Catherine Nowierski, who has agreed to take on his patients from Sun Peaks down to Whitecroft.
“It has been a very rewarding and delightful place to live and work,” he said of his time in Sun Peaks. “I wish all the best for the ongoing clinic, staff, Dr. Nowierski and Dr. Frank.”
Patient transferrals and clinic operations
Nowierski was working in Northern Ontario, but her family wanted to move out to B.C.
“It worked out very well,” Barclay said. “Most physicians that have retired in Kamloops and elsewhere and all of their patients have been sort of released to the wind in a way, so the fact that we've been able to cover the bulk of the patients is very, very good in my books.”
Currently, Nowierski is working a couple days a week, figuring out the flow and processes, as well as meeting some patients.
“Whether or not she’ll be taking on new ones, people who have moved permanently to Sun Peaks, I think that will be determined by the volume she has,” Barclay said.
The clinic has tried to take on patients who have moved permanently to Sun Peaks as well as seasonal workers, he said.
“Most everyone who is a permanent resident here is a patient of the clinic,” he said, adding that they’ll all likely be taken on by Nowierski.
At this point, Barclay said all his patients have been emailed.
“I think we've got most people, but not everybody figured out,” he said about the transferrals.
According to him, all current and permanent residents will be covered by Nowierski. Residents who are not full time and permanent, and those who have moved will not be.
For his Kamloops patients, Barclay said a physician in Kamloops has agreed to take on those over the age of 60. He estimates the number of patients in Kamloops who will be losing a doctor is somewhere between 600 to 800.
Additionally, as far as he knows, he said the urgent care clinic in Sun Peaks will continue to operate the same way, on weekends during shoulder season and all week during the winter.
SUN PEAKS SCHOOL (Near P5): 10:30am - 1:30pm
VILLAGE: 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Dr. Shane Barclay of Sun Peaks Health Centre. Photo provided by Shane Barclay
SUN PEAKS YOGA IS CLOSING ITS DOORS AFTER FOUR YEARS OF BUSINESS
As a business that opened just before the COVID-19 pandemic, the yoga studio hasn’t been able to bring in enough revenue to stay afloat.
By Nicole Perry
The owner of Sun Peaks Yoga, Kayla Alfred, is saying goodbye to the studio space she’s been teaching in since she opened her business in December 2019.
Her final yoga series finishes on Thursday, July 25, and she’ll host one last class in the building on Friday, followed by a tea circle where people can hang out, listen to music and say goodbye.
Even as she leaves the studio, due mainly to financial strain, she is determined to find a way to teach, saying it’s what she’s meant to do.
Bringing yoga to Sun Peaks
Alfred called Sun Peaks her “happy place” and said she’d always wanted to move back here, having lived in the area on-and-off since 2009.
With a house full of chaos with her kid and dog, she preferred doing yoga in a studio space. Sun Peaks was lacking in this area, so she opened one herself. Alfred geared her workshops and classes toward the target market of those living in Sun Peaks, namely athletic and outdoorsy, and tried to create a space in which people could feel safe.
“Everyone who walks through these doors, they walk out feeling better about themselves 99 per cent of the time,” she said. “Sometimes it's emotional work, but you have somewhere where people can go to feel at home.”
Part of the reason she was able to let the studio space go is that she knows she’ll find a way to teach no matter what.
“If I have that drive, I'll find a way.”
Running a local business
Alfred doesn’t believe she’d be in this situation if she hadn’t opened at the time she did. After having to pay back her startup without consistent business during the pandemic, she’s been operating with no financial safety net.
The studio had to close about 84 days after opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That was three and a half years of open, close, open, close, open, close,” she said. “I feel like I'm chasing my tail instead of going on a consistent path.”
Finally, this winter was busy, introducing appropriate numbers to maintain a business, and Alfred felt the studio was in a good place.
“That's when we got our property tax bill and the notifications that all of our bills are going to increase by another 10 per cent,” she said.
Taxes have gone up every year since the studio opened, she explained, although she has always been reluctant to raise her prices.
“I want people to be able to do yoga,” she said. “It's so good for people that I don't want to be the reason [they] don't have that access to it.”
Balancing payroll for her employees, as well as the seasonal dips in Sun Peaks when people are out of town meant her profit margin was in the negatives for years.
Having a three year old that she wasn’t able to see while running a business was taking a toll on her health as well.
“One of the wake up calls was he broke his collarbone and I had been trying to rush to work,” she said. “I didn't sleep for three days, and still had to teach a lot of classes while I wasn't feeling emotionally good.”
Next steps
Alfred is looking into spaces in the village she could teach, such as hotels, and many clients have given her leads as well. One potential place she could teach at is the health centre.
“That's where I see yoga fitting in. As part of health care and well being,” she said.
Most of these leads are up in the air right now, and there’s not much certainty for what will unfold.
She also wants to find a space where people can feel comfortable being themselves, especially if they’re sharing a space with other people around.
She’s spoken to someone who proposed converting the studio building into a rental space for various activities.
In a dream world, Alfred said she’d be able to keep renting the space and teaching class while another business owns the space without destroying much of what makes it special to her.
“There's a really pretty wall in the back here, and it's just gorgeous,” she said. “Realistically, any other business that could come in here would have to cover that up.”
One option for continuing to teach may be via private sessions from her home or utilizing online tools for lessons.
Though the situation isn’t ideal, giving up the space means having more time to really plan out her next steps, Alfred said. She plans on redoing her website, learning how to use different digital tools and using August as a sanctioned time for planning.
Without a studio, there’s a sense of freedom as well.
“I've always focused on the studio, focused on things that have to happen here,” she said. “Whereas now, I could host a retreat in Mexico and not feel like I'm abandoning the studio and I can lead a yoga teacher training somewhere else.”
Kayla Alfred in her yoga studio. Photo provided by Kayla Alfred
SUN PEAKS COMMUNITY LODGE IS A NEWLY LAUNCHED WEBSITE TO HELP STAFF SECURE LONG-TERM HOUSING
Sun Peaks Community Lodge incentivizes landlords to rent to permanent staff of Sun Peaks Resort LLP with the help of local businesses.
By Nicole Perry
Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) recently launched the Sun Peaks Community Lodge to grow the long-term rental market for employees in town.
Resort communities such as Sun Peaks often have a problem meeting demand for employee housing, said Christina Antoniak, director of communications for SPR.
Tony Macdonald is the general manager of accommodation for Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre (SPG) and oversees SPR accommodation as well. According to him, the resort has more than doubled pillows for employee accommodation in the last four years.
Still, they’re unable to house their target 80 per cent of staff, seasonal and permanent, for this winter season based on estimates.
With the addition of the West Bowl lift this year, staffing needs will grow as more people will be visiting the village.
“We do operate staff accommodation at a loss every year, this is not a moneymaker for us,” Macdonald said. “We lose about a half a million dollars a year simply in this operation.”
The goal of the community lodge project is to get the 33 permanent staff currently living in employee housing down to six, he explained. To help do this, SPR is offering incentives to landlords.
“We have a choice of a season’s winter pass, eight single day winter tickets or an $800 gift card,” he said of resort incentives. Local businesses can opt into this program as well, providing their own incentives to landlords renting to their employees.
The Sun Peaks Community Lodge website was officially launched at around noon on June 24, with an announcement made later that night at a community engagement session. Prior to this, Antoniak said three or four landlords had already stepped forward to apply.
The total of applications now stands at six.
When landlords apply to have a listing posted, someone from the community lodge team will investigate the property to ensure it meets requirements regarding fire codes, proper bedrooms and a proper bedroom to tenant ratio.
When employees apply for a unit, Antoniak said the resort’s internal community lodge team will receive the application and pass it along to the homeowner or landlord.
There are auto conditions on the form that will block non-permanent employees from applying, as well as ones who list their affiliated company as one that isn’t involved in the program, Macdonald said. If someone isn’t honest about being permanently employed with the resort on their application, the
community lodge team would ensure the potential landlord is aware that they wouldn’t receive the incentive if they choose to rent to this person.
“We're not going to be involved in the selection of tenants,” Macdonald said. “That's for the landlords to make their choice on who they want to rent to.”
“We know the quality and caliber of our employees, especially those who have been with us for a long time,” Antoniak said. She hopes this will ease any hesitation coming from landlords in renting to new people.
When the rental agreement is in place, Macdonald said they require a copy of the tenancy agreement.
Partnering businesses
SPR connected with businesses through Tourism Sun Peaks, Macdonald said.
Many businesses are considering partnering, but so far only Bottoms Bar & Grill and Mountain Man
Adventures have fully come on board.
Taryn Schwanke, co-owner of Mountain Man Adventures, told SPIN that it was an obvious choice to partner.
“If my staff don't end up choosing to use that accommodation system, then it doesn't cost me anything,” she explained. “Definitely some years have been harder than others to try and find housing for staff. Hopefully, this will make things easier.”
Mountain Man Adventures put up an $800 gift card for their excursions, she said, adding that the experience may be appealing to people because it’s new and different.
The incentives the businesses would provide to landlords renting to their employees via the community lodge program could take the form of retail from their store or gifts cards, Macdonald said.
“With local business partners, we're still open to anyone that wants to step forward and jump in and join the program,” Macdonald said, adding that there’s no close date on that.
Sun Peaks Resort introduces Community Lodge program for long-term employees. Photo by Kyle James
MEMBERS OF THE HEFFLEY LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ARE TRAINED AND READY TO RESPOND TO WILDFIRES
BC Wildfire offered its services to Heffley Lake to train volunteers in fire suppression skills for the 2024 wildfire season.
By Nicole Perry
Recently, some members of The Heffley Lake Community Association (HLCA) engaged in wildfire response training, offered free from BC Wildfire, and many opened their wallets to fund efforts to acquire necessary emergency response equipment.
The HLCA operates as a voice for the community with a membership of 120 people from the Heffley Lake area, director Phil Youwe said.
A request for funding began as the first 14 members underwent the basic fire suppression and safety training course. The association realized government funding for the program didn’t extend to the equipment and supplies needed to put the skills to use in an actual emergency, vice president Jim Davies explained.
“We were totally and completely humbled and thankful for the amazing support that we received
from the members of our association to support our volunteers for the wildfire training,” he said.
The HLCA recognizes the benefit of the BC Wildfire program, Youwe said. However, last year B.C. had the worst wildfire season on record and BC Wildfire “get[s] very heavily stretched in many different directions of the province,” he explained.
Because of that, there are many benefits to having a local group of trained responders.
“The success of any fire suppression is quick, early detection and suppression when the fire is small,” Youwe said.
Smoke from any fire will be seen first by residents, including trained members and rather than just reporting the fire, they can also mitigate damages before and while BC Wildfire arrives on scene.
Community fire response training program
Since 2022, Davies said BC Wildfire has been exploring a cooperative community wildfire response, “to understand and support the development of Indigenous and rural Indigenous community wildfire preparedness and response capacity.”
Following the established S-100 program, trainees were taught to safely suppress fires and work with the necessary equipment, Youwe said.
Training lasts two days, one in the classroom and one in the field for 10 hours each day.
Trainees are not reimbursed for personal protective equipment required for emergency response, such as hard hats, earmuffs, high vis
Heffley Lake Community Association's (HLCA) wildfire response trainees. Photo provided by Terry Doi
vests, safety eyewear and footwear and flame resistant clothing, and the training program is only being offered for the 2024 season. There is no available funding for firefighting equipment for the communities trained either.
“The province set up a free training program for societies to respond to a wildfire, but they have no way of financially supporting these societies,” Davies explained.
In order to respond to wildfires, the volunteers must undergo recertification training every year, which will come at a cost, unlike this year. Maintaining the equipment isn’t cheap either, Davies added. Establishing a long term funding stream is how the volunteer fire brigade can continue to operate.
“We asked for grants to get a trailer and the equipment necessary for our members to respond to a wildfire,” Davies said. These were denied by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) on the basis that “grants may not be made to volunteer fire protection organizations that are not under direct administration of the TNRD.”
They sent grants requests to whoever they could think of, he added.
One option they looked into was the $369 million Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. Davies said there are six funding streams, yet none of them support community wildfire equipment.
“If it wasn't for the overwhelming support from our members, then we never would have been able to purchase the trailer, pumps, tools and the equipment necessary to respond to a wildfire.”
Receiving funding
The TNRD recognizes the importance of the program and will be going to their policy committee to help find a solution, Davies said. The HLCA secured a $5,000 grant from them, on the condition that it cannot be used to purchase wildfire equipment.
“However, it could offset the cost of training, both for wildfire training, and for first aid and AED training and everything that our members require as well,” Davies said.
One of their members told them about the Exceptional Community Service Award Foundation, which funds charitable societies that have done outstanding community service, Davies said. As a member funded, not-for-profit society, they weren’t able to apply themselves.
Rather, they approached the Heffley Creek Community Recreation Association who were able to apply partially for themselves and on behalf of the HLCA. The HLCA received $9,000 with no conditions.
“We're going to use the $9,000 to complete the equipment that we require,” Davies said. If they’re unable to secure more grants, they’ll set aside some of that money to support the sustainability of the program, he added.
Heffley Lake Community Association's (HLCA) wildfire response trainees.
Photo provided by Terry Doi
SUN PEAKS HOSTS 2024
BC SENIOR WOMEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
This is the first time Sun Peaks Golf Course has held a tournament of this level.
By Nicole Perry
From July 2 to July 4, Sun Peaks Golf Course held the 2024 BC Senior Women's Golf Championship.
This tournament is the first of its caliber the golf course has hosted, according to Liz Wilkinson, events and partnerships manager for Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR).
Seventy-one participants competed over three categories of senior (50 plus), super senior (60 plus) and super-super senior (70 plus).
Golf course superintendent Keith Lyall said the participants are technically amateurs, but “it is the best that B.C. has to offer for that age category.”
Organizing the tournament
BC golf reached out to Wilkinson 18 months ago about hosting in Sun Peaks. From there, the organizing team met with Lyall and walked the course. The success of the championship will be a barometer, with the possibility of more events coming to Sun Peaks, Wilkinson added.
BC golf championships span from juniors to super seniors for men and women, Lyall said, “so the chances are pretty good we could host another one in the future.”
Wilkinson had to ensure the resort could deliver a positive visiting experience as well. So far, she said they’ve gotten very
positive reviews from the ladies.
The tournament was pushed back by three weeks according to Lyall, who said the weather has been detrimental in getting the course adequately prepared for the competition, even with the delay in timing that was preplanned.
“Mother Nature has thrown every possible curveball she could have at us this year, so it’s been a bit of a struggle for sure,” he said, citing rain, snow, frost and winds that are not conducive for making turfgrass look good.
“My recommendation would definitely be to do it later in the season going forward,” he said, but with the usual timing of this tournament, that wasn’t a possibility.
On the course, they played from different sets of tees, Lyall explained.
This course is unique in its shorter length, narrowness and elevation change of around 200 metres, he added.
“I think they [were] challenged more from course management as opposed to who can hit the ball furthest.”
On July 1, the ladies did their practice before the tournament’s official start on July 2. During their practice day, Wilkinson said it was pouring with rain.
“Some of them, rather than go out and play 18 holes, chose to just go out and play nine holes just to get a feel of the course.”
The opening of the tournament July 2 started well, with decent weather and players keeping up with the timing.
“There's some serious, serious golfers out there,” Wilkinson said. “But a lot of the ladies are here just here to have fun and socialize and connect with people that they play with regularly.”
Sun Peaks Golf Course hosts 2024 BC Senior Women's Golf Championship. Photo by Nicole Perry
THE SUN PEAKS AMBASSADOR TEAM IS BACK AND CELEBRATING LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKERS FOR THE SUMMER
The Sun Peaks Ambassador Team promotes the resort and local athletes.
By Nicole Perry
The first version of the Sun Peaks Ambassador Team program was launched last winter and the summer iteration has been unveiled.
A program beneficial to both the resort and the chosen local ambassadors, the goal is to increase marketing content for Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR), with a focus on promoting local athletes, Sam Loxton, marketing and content manager for SPR told SPIN.
In particular, the athlete stream of the program comprised of high level bikers receive a $2,500 cash sponsorship, a gym membership and a season’s pass which contributes to their training and competing.
Four of the eight on the Sun Peaks Ambassador Team are on this stream, while the other half make up the ambassador stream.
Sun Peaks Ambassador Team
Announced on June 24 at SPR’s community engagement session, the four athletes are Brock Hawes, Kyleigh Stewart, Kiera Melnechuk and Johnathan Helly and the four ambassadors are Kelly Kozevnikov, Jennifer McHugh, Noah Lara and Marcus Cant.
The resort has been working on and off with both ski/snowboard and mountain bike athletes for a while now, but without a formalized program.
“With this program, we've kind of improved that consistency and also opened up the opportunity to work with more athletes,” Loxton said.
To apply for the athlete stream, it was required that you’d be actively competing at a provincial, national or international level in mountain biking. Each stream required you to be a resident of Sun Peaks, Kamloops or a nearby community and be at least 16 years of age.
Weighing which applicants would be the best fit the program involved considerations around athletic achievements, experience in photo and video shoots, previous working relationships with SPR and social media account size and content.
“We had close to 50 applications for eight spots,” he said. “So definitely, there's lots and lots of worthy candidates…that we would have loved to work with as well.”
With the goal of this project to be annual in summer and winter, there’s the chance for some of the unsuccessful applicants to join in the future.
“We've been lucky,” he said. “We've got strong support from the leadership of the resort.”
With this, the program can hopefully run for years into the future.
Mutual benefits
With the cash sponsorship given to the four on the athlete stream, they’ll hopefully have less of a struggle while gathering funds for competing.
The program can give these athletes extra exposure as well, and a portfolio of footage to show brands for potential sponsorships.
“We’re stepping on board as a sponsor ourselves,” Loxton said, adding that working with the resort provides these athletes/ambassadors the chance to become familiar working with some of the top biking photographers in the business.
Learning how to take part in photo and video shoots is an important skill for sponsored athletes to have in their arsenal.
On SPR’s side, they’re given access to a pool of talented athletes for photo and video shoots to promote the resort.
“Anyone that's on the team, they owe us a certain number of hours of photo and video help,” he explained.
Some of the photos can be used in print or digital advertising. Cool clips of trail riding in the bike park can also be uploaded to the bike park Instagram page to showcase how the trails are looking.
Social media is a secondary requirement for the ambassadors, but they will be asked to tag SPR as a sponsor and create content when they can, Loxton said. Making face-to-face connections is also valuable he explained.
“We can help them reshare it, expand that reach and try and get more eyeballs on them on their social media accounts,” he said about their content, adding that this helps with future sponsorship opportunities.
The 2024 bike Summer Ambassadors for SPR. Top row, left to right: Kyleigh Stewart, Brock Hawes, Kiera Melnechuk, Johnathan Helly. Bottom row, left to right: Marcus Cant, Jennifer McHugh, Noah Lara, Kelly Kozevnikov.
Photo provided by Sam Loxton
ONGOING UNTIL OCT. 13
Pick up products from local farmers, ranchers and artisans at the Sunday markets from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
ONGOING UNTIL SEPT. 28
Experience Sunday brunch at a variety of places around the village. Try a different one each week! Participating businesses are Bottoms Bar and Grill, Cahilty Creek Kitchen and Tap Room, Chez Joe Poutine, Mantles Restaurant and Lounge, Ohana Deli and Vertical Cafe. Times vary.
JULY
J ULY 12-14
Keep checking online at sunpeaksresort. com or sunpeakslive Instagram for details on Sun Peaks Speed Week, soon to come! The event will include a Show-n-Shine with the Pharoah's Car Club, Dealer & Vendor Showcase, exclusive 45 minute Jeep Tours and stand-up paddle board racing lessons at Heffley Lake.
JULY 12
The second annual Sun Peaks Alpine Club (SPAC) golf tournament will start with an 11 a.m. check-in at the Pro Shop, and a 12 p.m. shotgun start. With all proceeds going to SPAC, the fee is $198 per player or $750 per team. The event offers on-course games and prizes, a post-tournament dinner, a silent auction and a 50/50 draw. To register, email monique@bsre.ca or call 778-471-1498 for more information.
JULY 15
Karma yoga is taking place at Heffley Creek Hall at 7 p.m. Karma yoga can help you gain focus and awareness. Pay what you can! Check out Heffley Creek Community Hall on Facebook for more information.
JULY 16
The Sun Peaks Sports School is offering
EVENTS
JULY 12 - AUGUST 8
a program tailored for first timers aged 19 and older. This special package is $50 and includes a two hour lesson, a standard bike rental including protection package and a Progression Park ticket. Register to secure your spot by emailing sportschool@ sunpeaksresort.com or calling 250-578-5474.
JULY 20
Presented by Tourism Sun Peaks, Ari Neufeld and Jennie Bice will be performing at the Village Stage from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
JULY 20
Adaptive Sports Sun Peaks, in partnership with Sun Peaks Resort LLP, will play host to Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association (KASA) on July 20. KASA will bring adaptive mountain bikes and certified instructors to provide different levels of riders with a chance to ride either the valley trail or the bike park. Contact mike@kootenayadaptive.com to register or for more details.
JULY 23
As part of Adaptive Sports Sun Peaks’ accessible summer experiences for individuals living with neuro-divergent challenges, Kamloops Canoe & Kayak Club is helping out with family paddle nights at Kamloops Water Sports Facility from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Register by July 16.
JULY 25
For the first time, Sun Peaks is welcoming two multi talented singer song-writers, Devin Cuddy and Conor Gains, to the Village Stage. From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., enjoy this double set of live music presented by Tourism Sun Peaks!
JULY 25
Locals are welcome to enjoy some great deals from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This includes tickets for twilight biking at $25. The term local applies to all who reside within a 50km radius of Creekside Way, Sun Peaks, proof of primary residence via driver’s license will be required at the time of ticket
pickup. You can buy them online in advance before they sell out by going through the resort website.
JULY 26
The Summer Stoke Series officially kicks off! Session one of the series is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event is a head-to-head pump track race series presented by the bike park crew.
JULY 27 AND AUG. 10
Part of the summer experiences offered by ASSP, ride the Sunburst Express Chairlift to experience hiking and disc golf from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You must have a valid lift ticket for this experience. Register by July 20 for the July 27 excursion and Aug. 3 for Aug. 10.
JULY 29
Sun Peaks Golf Course introduces their Junior Monthly Medal Program this summer! Ages 10 to 18 are invited to join this program, starting July 29 at 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for $10 cash entry.
AUGUST
AUG. 2
First Fridays kicks off from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with live music from John Welsh and Los Valientes at 8 p.m. at the Clock Tower Stage.
AUG. 3
Get ready to groove with a new Saturday Dance Series. Come to the Sunburst Lodge Patio from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for summer treats and refreshing mocktails from the Sunburst Bar and enjoy the music.
Newer software versions 39 Words after "Peek-a-boo"
"Veni, vidi, ___"
Greek isle of poet Sappho
"Airplane!" autopilot
54 Like a girl preferring overalls to party dresses, perhaps
Reason to say "Pee-yew!"
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Theatre award
Canadian writer Heather O'___
Grazing
1366 Burfield Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
$999,900 GST N/A
4 Bed | 4 Bath, 2449 sq.ft., Zoned R-1
Spacious level entry half-duplex with vaulted ceilings, equipped kitchen, ample storage & large windows. Income potential with lower rental suite. Furnished.
26 Fairway Cottages, Sun Peaks, BC
$1,275,000 GST N/A
2 Bed | 3 Bath, 2340 sq.ft., Zoned RS-2
Cedar & stone cottage with double cedar carport. 2 bedrooms plus den and open-air loft. In-floor heating on main floor/basement. Partially furnished with hot tub.
47 Settler's Crossing, Sun Peaks, BC
$754,000 +GST
2 Bed | 2 Bath, 897 sq.ft., Zoned TA-1
Ski-in, ski-out with private hot tub, cozy gas fireplace, hardwood upgrade, owner's ski locker & large storage cage. Furnished. Zoned for nightly rentals.
70 Crystal Forest, Sun Peaks, BC
$929,000 +GST
4 Bed | 3 Bath, 1350 sq.ft., Zoned TA-1
Ski-in/out corner unit with a great location. Refurbished kitchen counters, appliances & flooring. Zoned for shortterm rentals. Offered furnished with hot tub.
$549,000 LOTS STARTING AT
Welcome To The Building Site Of Your Dreams
2556 Golden Horn Road, Heffley, BC
$1,559,000 GST N/A
5 Bed | 3 Bath, 1712 sq.ft., Zoned AF-1
Cottage on Heffley Lake with detached garage, workshop & studio suite. Private dock, large mulit-level sundeck with hot tub & outdoor shower.
7363 Cahilty Crescent, Whitecroft, BC
$730,000 GST N/A
2 Bed | 2 Bath, 2058 sq.ft., Zoned CR-1 Bright, open-concept country living, with exterior ski locker & ample storage. Optional separate entrance to lower level for in-law suite. 10 min to Sun Peaks.
Discover the perfect blend of mountain living and outdoor adventures at Alder Estates! Adjacent to Sun Peaks Golf Course, these 16 lots offer prime access to skiing and biking. Zoned for short-term rentals, they provide a unique opportunity for investors or dream-home builders. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind mountain retreat. GST applies. Visit alder-estates.ca for more information.
