Message from the Mayor

Dated  June 30^th, 2020

Phase 3 of the recovery is here.

The Province has announced a progressive opening for Phase 3 of the pandemic recovery.  What does this mean for Sun Peaks?  Most of our restaurants opened this past week with physical distancing rules fully in place.  Hotels are now just opening with new guidelines and strict Covid 19 regulations in place.  Hopefully, our tourism economy will bounce back, however realistically we should not anticipate that summer 2020 will look anything like 2019.

Congratulations to those businesses who have successfully opened within all the new rules.  Great to see the golf course open and all the bike riders, hikers and walkers returning.  Even the tennis courts are busier than normal.  We are coming alive again, slowly but surely.

Our municipal offices are once again open to the public.  Please follow the instructions posted on the main door.  If you wish to meet face to face with the building inspector, or other staff, please call ahead and make an appointment by contacting reception at 250-578-2020.

We are looking forward to welcoming our American property owners however that will be delayed as the border crossings will not likely open until Covid 19 is under control in the USA.  Regrettably, several border states still have large numbers of daily infections, so our Canadian and American health officials are responding cautiously.   Hopefully, the American situation improves soon.

Lots of exciting news.

Lift towers for the new Crystal Quad chair are now being erected by helicopter.  The lift will easily be ready for the new ski season.

No quite so exciting, but work has begun on clearing and grubbing of the new domestic water reservoir that will be constructed this summer up near the present snowmaking reservoir. The wet weather is not helping but work is underway.  We now have the permits in place to expand our domestic water supply system.

The Sun Peaks Centre project is nearing completion. With the restrictions around groups sizes, larger meetings will be not be permitted this summer and any thoughts of a major music concert under the roof have vanished.  This summer, we will have a soft opening for a few very small meetings but limited use in 2020.  Swimming pool regulations are still very restrictive and with limited space around our pool deck, it is unlikely that the pool will open this summer.  However, with a little luck, the ice skating/hockey will be ready by December 2020 with changing rooms, great lighting and still with the atmosphere of outdoor resort skating. The new fitness facilities will be operated by Alpine Fitness and is scheduled to open mid-July. Check for updates on their website at www.sunpeaksfitness.com email info@sunpeaksfitness.com or phone 250-572-5136. The fitness area is 280 square m. (3,000 Sq. feet) and will have an attractive array of fitness equipment in a spacious and inviting setting, no excuses for us not to be the fittest community in B.C. As soon as the site can be safely opened for tours, we will set up registration for a limited number of weekend tours for community members.

More good news, the volunteer group, who set up Sun Peaks Community Helps report that there is to date very little demand for food assistance.  The Community Cupboard is still available by email appointment, spcommunityhelps@gmail.com.  If you are not working or for any reason, you need a little assistance, please do not hesitate to contact this email address.  The online fundraising efforts for Kyle James continues to be most successful.  Wow and well done, Sun Peaks!!

Looking to the Future

Our municipal crystal ball is still a little blurry, however the 2020/21 winter season will be challenging. Even if international travel restrictions are lifted by the Fall months, overseas travel to Sun Peaks will not likely materialize until a vaccine is readily available.  Cross Canada and US air travel will also be severely reduced as skiers measure the risk factors.   We should expect some visitors from Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta.  Yes, we will need to heavily rely on British Columbians and hopefully the Pacific Northwest to keep Sun Peaks busy.  This will not be too difficult for the holiday and weekend periods, but mid-week business will be weaker without the overseas and air travel ski vacation crowd.  Tourism Sun Peaks will obviously have to be nimble and quick to react as tourism trends shift from day to day.  Stay tuned!

As we begin to enjoy the summer months, nobody should let their guard down. The Corona Virus has not vanished. As more second homeowners and visitors arrive, we must remain alert and vigilant.  We still need to practice physical distancing, wear a mask if we cannot physically distance, wash our hands before and after each excursion outside of our residences.  If you become even the slightest bit ill, talk to your doctor and physically isolate for 14 days until you are certain that you are no longer sick.

Again, we would like to thank all residents for the care and attention that they have shown to one another.  We have followed the directions of the provincial medical officer with good success.  Our businesses have taken the new rules very seriously.  We have for the most part, respected our neighbours and colleagues. Please consider that every person that you meet that is not part of your immediate household could be an asymptomatic carrier and we need to avoid close contact and maintain physical distancing.  Thank you all, stay active and enjoy the summer months.

Happy Canada Day.