Message from the Mayor

Mayor’s Message for March 2021

It does feel like we are living one month at a time and on pins and needles.  We did have a few isolated COVID 19 cases in 2021 but thanks to some very responsible action on the part of those who were so unfortunate to pick up the virus and the swift actions of our doctors and the Health Centre team as well as IHA’s testing facilities in Sun Peaks, we have not had a ‘ major outbreak’.  We are fortunate that everyone is keeping alert, thank you all.

We are living through a once in a lifetime experience and this has not been easy for anyone, we miss socializing with our friends and we certainly miss our regular guests as well as our foreign and domestic property owners who have become part of the community.  This pandemic has been tough on many business owners, business is down considerably, there are fewer people working, and many employees have seen reduced hours.  Depending on businesses, our guess is that revenues to many Sun Peaks businesses is only half of the previous year. This has not been easy for the many employees who make Sun Peaks a great place to visit or call home. Hopefully by next winter, we will have put this all in the rearview mirror.  Better days are ahead!

If the experts are right, our summer will be a little less restricted than summer 2020, and by late summer most people will be vaccinated and the major travel restrictions should be seriously reduced.  However, we need to make sure that we get through the next 2 months and wind-up a wonderful season on the slopes without any surprises.  Spring break will be a test for everyone, so don’t let your ‘guard down’, we are almost there.

Again, thanks to Sun Peaks Community Helps,  your assistance is greatly appreciated.  If community members know of anyone who needs a little help, please assist them in contacting this community group.  They are a great group of community volunteers who are trying to help in these tough days, no questions asked, this is neighbours helping neighbours.  Please email spcommunityhelps@gmail.com.

Some good news as we look to rebuild our tourism business.  Sun Peaks Area Recreation Trail Assn. applied successful for nearly $300,000 in Provincial funding to build a major mountain bike trail system up and around Mt. Morrisey. This project will move forward this summer and will assist in providing additional community off-season employment.

We recently received a Housing Assessment Report organized through the Regional District Planning Department with a Sun Peaks financial contribution.  This report is  on our webpage and outlines some of the challenges ahead for affordable housing.  With this report, we hope to develop a strategic plan that will provide future direction.  This is a complex issue and we are committed to making this a public process once restrictions on gatherings are lifted.  We also need to update our Official Community Plan this summer and again, this will be with public input as well as an updated land use plan from Sun Peaks Resort LLP.

Stay safe, be cautious over the reminder of the winter season.  Thanks for caring!

Al Raine, Mayor