Sun Peaks’ fate will be decided during the referendum vote on Saturday, Jan. 30. The polls are located at the Delta Sun Peaks Resort from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On that fateful day, property owners, resident and non-resident voters will have their say on whether this small community is ready to test its wings as an independent resort municipality.
TNRD’s Chief Election Officer Lyle Huntley said the result will be announced about an hour after the polls close. It will also be posted on the TNRD website.
For resident and business owner Charlene Hall, transforming Sun Peaks into a resort municipality is a positive move.
“I think it’s a good thing for the growth of our community.”
She adds that the possibility of a tax increase is a small price to pay in exchange for enjoying the benefits that a mountain resort municipality brings. “Looking at the big picture, I think it’s going to benefit everybody here, residents or businesses.”
Business owner Jason White agrees. “I think it’s great. I think it’s something the community has built towards and it’s time for it to take effect.”
White thinks that being a resort municipality would give Sun Peaks a greater leverage in improving the quality of life in the community. Through grants and funding that this status will make available, Sun Peaks can have more green space for the public that can be turned into playgrounds, sports fields and parks.
“Where we are right now, there’s just no tax dollars for that. We can’t apply for grants. As soon as we become a municipality, we can start getting funding and I think that’s a very positive thing. And I also think controlling our own destiny a little bit more (is also a good thing.)”
As a resort municipality, Sun Peaks will attract more people and the community’s businesses will thrive, said White. “That has to be our focus right now, to fill the pillows in hotels and the seats in the restaurants that we have right now before we expand any more. We need to make sure that the people are successful in the businesses that are here now.”
“Do I think this is the answer to all the problems we have at the resort? Definitely not. We’re still gonna have problems that we have to deal with. The council will be able to deal with things more on an immediate basis rather than going through some red tape. I think we’re going to have our own conch, we’re gonna hold it and we’re going to decide what we’re going to do in our community.”
For the election results, follow us on Twitter @sunpeaksnews or visit www.sunpeaksnews.com or www.tnrd.bc.ca
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