Change Is Under Way In The Sun Peaks Community
Posted by Tonia Willis | Posted in Society | Posted on 22-04-2011
0
On June 28, 2010 the Sun Peaks community became Canada’s first mountain resort municipality. Located in the interior of British Columbia, the newly incorporated destination is thirty four miles, or fifty five kilometers, northeast of Kamloops. With this designation comes the opportunity to control the destiny of the resort. Since that day the city has held an election for mayor and municipal council, opened a school, and passed local bylaws. Planning is also under way for a local composting facility. Sun Peaks will also be able to levy taxes and receive a portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax, or HST, charged at hotels in the area. These changes pave the way for controlled growth into a world class resort.
Al Raine, elected Sun Peaks’ first mayor, was involved in the growth of Whistler in the 1970s and 80s. He helped it develop into one of the world’s great ski resorts. Senator Nancy Greene Raine, the mayor’s spouse and an Olympic gold medalist, is the resort’s director of skiing. Their visibility and influence can only help as the ares develops into an international destination.
The municipality’s first school opened in September of 2010. The Sun Peaks Discovery Center for Balanced Education was organized by parents tired of sending their kids out of town to attend classes. The school sits at the top of one of the ski lifts and houses grades K-5. The mayor and council donated $30,500 from their stipends and other funds were raised from various sponsors. On line studies are an integral part of the process. Mayor Raine stated the opening of the center was a defining moment in the history of the Sun Peaks community.
A recent bylaw was passed, after local meetings, restricting noise. The ordinance breaks the resort into three classifications. The village core, with it’s bars and restaurants, has the highest decibel limit. Tourist accommodations have a lower limit and residential areas are the most restricted.
The proposed new composting operation is being planned. Sun Peaks Utilities has decided that is is no longer economically feasible to truck waste to an out of town facility. They have also announced that utility rates may increase due to the cost of the facility.
The municipality potentially could levy taxes. It could happen but the mayor and council do not think that this option will be necessary for several years. HST funds will carry the town in the short term.
With growth comes change. Hopefully it will be for the betterment of the Sun Peaks community as a whole. The system is new and will be tested, but it is working for now.
Looking to find the definitive source of information on Sun Peaks Community?

.jpg)