A new “benefits” agreement between Baldy Capital Corporation and the Osoyoos Indian Band will enhance the local ski hill in many ways, according to both parties.
The agreement is designed to expand access to Mount Baldy Ski Area for Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) members by providing them with season lift passes, access to rental equipment and increased availability of ski and snowboard lessons.
The deal also provides for an annual lease payment by the corporation for land on the hill, owned by the band.
In addition, there is an option for Baldy Capital Corporation (BCC) to purchase this land or trade for a different land parcel in the future.
The OIB will also receive an ownership interest in the corporation, which will facilitate the planning of future development in a co-operative manner between the two partners.
Chief Clarence Louie said the band’s support for the continued operation of Mount Baldy helped bring the ski hill “back to life” this past season.
“Anyone with a business sense knows Mount Baldy has trouble making enough money to stay open,” said Louie. “At least someone has stepped forward willing to risk their hard earned money to make a go of the operation.”
Louie said the ski hill adds to the tourism industry in the South Okanagan and there are many band members who ski and snowboard.
The chief said they want to work with the corporation to create a new operating model for the hill.
“We have confidence in the management team within Baldy Capital Corporation and want to work in partnership with them to bring back Mount Baldy Ski Area to the success it once had.”
Fred Johnston of BCC stated they would not have been able to reopen the ski hill without the band’s co-operation.
Partner David Howard said it is their desire to contribute back to the community and the OIB in order to build goodwill and ultimately improve revenues for the ski hill.
He noted that Baldy Capital is also supporting Oliver Osoyoos Search and Rescue through contributions.
“We will continue to look for and build
win-win relationships in the surrounding area,” Howard said.
Backing up, Howard explained it is a requirement of the B.C. Mountain Resorts Branch that First Nations support the master development agreement issued by the province for the ski hill to operate on Crown land.
In this instance, the First Nations has deferred to the OIB for their agreement and support.
Howard said the band was previously a mortgage holder on approximately one acre of land on the hill, which will be acquired by the OIB as part of the receivership/foreclosure/bankruptcy process.
That parcel happens to be in the middle of the parking lot and Baldy Capital will be paying the OIB an annual lease payment to use that land unless or until it is purchased by BCC or traded for other developable land on the mountain.
Howard said the ski hill operation this past season went better than projected, considering all of the factors impacting its reopening.
These factors included a closed operation the previous season, no pre-season marketing, not being open for Christmas break, a late start in operations, half price tickets for the short season, no credit card processing in place for the first month, and no double chair operation in time for this season (only the quad chair was running).
“Overall, the loss for the season was
approximately $100,000, less than budgeted, but we believe the community appreciated the effort to open regardless of the compromises made in doing so,” Howard said.
He pointed out the main focus for next season is improving the guest experience on four fronts: major pre-season marketing initiatives, utilization of all the available lifts and runs for improved skiing and boarding, improving the value of the food and beverage services, and creating overnight accommodations and housekeeping services for multi-day visitors.
“At this time we remain concerned about how difficult and how long the receivership process will be before we can give these items our full and unfettered effort,” Howard concluded.
The OIB and its more than 400 members controls over 32,000 acres offering opportunities in agriculture, eco-tourism, commercial, industrial, and residential developments.
The Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation manages nine companies and provides employment for over 80 band members. Through land leases and joint ventures the Band has built meaningful business relationships that have created social and employment opportunities for both Natives and non-Natives in the South Okanagan.
You can find more information available at www.oib.ca.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
