Bennet to return to his Western roots

Wilf Bennet holds a photo of the ranch he will retire to. -Photo Jean Strong

For the past 13 years visitors to the Waste Transfer Station at Sun Peaks have been greeted by a friendly smile, a wave and an easy conversation from Wilf Bennet.

At the end of August Bennet retired from his well-known gig and moved from his long-time Whitecroft home. He has lived in the area surrounding Sun Peaks since 1999, holding various jobs, but his work at the transfer station is what cemented his place in the community. He is also known as a musical performer, author and local
history enthusiast.

Before moving to a 90 acre ranch near Neskonlith Lake, Bennet plans to return to scanning lift tickets at the resort for the winter months.

“I’m excited for having fun and laughing and joking with people,” he said. “I tease them and they tease me right back.”

In April, when the ski season ends, he will move to the ranch where he plans to get a few cows, horses and Border Collie puppies to raise and care for. He previously worked in the same area around 20 years ago guiding trail rides and cattle drives for guests and working on the ranch.

“I always wanted to manage a ranch, and now I will be back in my old stomping ground,” Bennet said. “I want to keep busy and wake up in the morning to the cows mooing and horses calling for their breakfast.”

For Bennet the move is a welcomed next step.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here, but I want a change,” he said. He added he misses his dog Hoss, who passed away one year ago and was also well known and loved by community members.
Jamie Viera, manager of environmental services at the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, said Bennet will be missed and he was instrumental in the success of the blue bag recycling program introduced in 2006.

Viera also commented on the impact Bennet has had at Sun Peaks’ community.

“Wilf is such a long standing site attendant that I often hear Sun Peaks residents and business owner refer to the site not as the ‘TNRD Transfer Station’ but ‘Wilf’s Transfer Station’. He always happily greets residents with a smile and ‘howdy’ in his signature cowboy hat, and if you’re lucky you may get to hear one of his rodeo stories.”

The Sun Peaks community will hold a retirement party for Bennet on Sept. 4 at 7153 Cahilty Road in Whitecroft.

Bennett said he will be able to be found on his ranch and encouraged visitors to stay over and see the area by horseback.

“I’ll put an old cowboy boot on the fence post so you can find me,” he said. “It’s been a good 13 years but it’s time to go back to being a cowboy again.”