We took the kids for a quick break and to look at another ski resort that is working on improving the summer program. Luckily for me the Mayor of Sun Peaks (Al Raine) granted an audience - I was hoping for a hour... I had 'call me Al' all morning...
Sun Peaks and Big White.
On paper Sun Peaks does not seem to be as strong as Big White.
- Local population 98,000+ in 2011 vs Kelowna 180,000 in the Metro areas.
- Flights - 1.44m travellers through Kelowna, 263k through Kamloops.
- Kelowna has international throughout North America, Kamloops - none.
- Travellers to Sun Peaks have to fly into Vancouver or Kelowna.
- Elevation - Big White - 2,315m, Sun Peaks 2,080m
- Skiable terrain - Big White resort area 7,355 acres. Sun Peaks, 3,678 acres.
- Vertical - Big White 777, Sun Peaks, 881
- Average annual snowfall - Big White 24.5ft, Sun Peaks, 18ft.
- Up hill lift capacity - Big White 28,000 p/h, Sun Peaks 12,000
- Accommodation - Big White 17,000 beds, Sun Peaks 9,000.
On paper, Sun Peaks is inferior... on paper...
But Sun Peaks is now a Resort Municipality.
Sun Peaks municipal will spend $1m+ on capital upgrades this year, in 2015 they plan to spend almost $4m - these funds are external to the lift operator (Sun Peaks Resort). 'Call me Al' estimates the municipal government receives in the region of $600k - $700k per annum in other funding - grants etc. Funds available to improve the resort and develop the summer and shoulder seasons. Health centre, community centre, new cooled skating rink, baseball diamond, tennis court upgrades... etc etc.
In addition the resort and municipality provides-
- free concerts (Colin James...)
- there is a farmers market every week
- Geocaching,
- mountain biking
- hiking trails with lift access
- sports and aquatic centre
- canoe, kayak, stand up paddle boarding, horse riding...
- Golf...
According to 'Call me' properties average roughly 33%+/- annual occupancy, the flag hotel - Delta 37%... Big White? Annual occupancy 22%+... for Big White to increase 22% to 33% is a 50% increase. Big White has 17,000 beds with an average 23% occupancy - this equates to 4.78m vacant nights per year...
Granted Kamloops is pretty ugly (sorry Kamloops but it's true), Kelowna has a beautiful lake, numerous wineries, golf etc etc - if I was in Kamloops, I would escape to Sun Peaks...
But Big White is better... well I would say that, I don't call the blog Sun Peaks is awesome do I...?
How do we as a community catch up - Sun Peaks is pouring $100k's into developing all season and shoulder activities, every year. The Sun Peaks Tourism Association spends $2m+/- every year, $300k of this budget goes to exclusively to summer promotion.
Sun Peaks became a resort municipality three years ago. Three years ago their school enrolment for the year was 22, last year 38 and this year 65. Not that school enrolment is a direct critical factor but...
Can we compete, can we catch up?
Imagine, 50% more visitors, 50% more business revenue, 50% more jobs (Big White attracts 1300 seasonal staff every year)... what would 50% more revenue do for property values?
But that is only if we equal the performance of Sun Peaks... Big White has the location, infrastructure, and accessibility.... we shouldn't be competing with Sun Peaks, we should be leaving them for dust...
Incidentally, our regional district the Regional District of Kootney Boundary has a budget for $6.4m of recreational and cultural improvements for 2013...
And even though Big White property owners contribute 23% of the regional districts total property tax revenue... $0 of this $6.4m is being spent at Big White... zero!
No comments:
Post a Comment