Only days after the Spirit Ridge Owners’ Association (SROA) they were considering legal action against Bellstar Resorts and Hotel after Bellstar closed down the resort’s conference room, check-in lodge and restaurant, the parties announced last week they had worked out a deal. The Osoyoos Indian Band, which was a partner with Bellstar as developers of the popular resort, played a significant role in finalizing the deal.(Richard McGuire file photo)
The battle between the developer of the prestigious Spirit Ridge resort and dozens of property owners who own units is over.
Only hours after the Osoyoos Times reported that members of the Spirit Ridge Owners’ Association (SROA) were considering legal action against Bellstar Hotels and Resorts, it was announced that a financial deal has been reached for Bellstar to turn over ownership of the restaurant, conference centre and check-in lodge to the owners association.
In late January, senior management with Bellstar closed the conference centre, restaurant and check-in lodge after the SROA relieved them of their duties as property manager.
Dale Hodgson, the Chief Executive Officer for Bellstar, sent an email to the Osoyoos Times last week saying the asking price for the restaurant, conference centre and check-in lodge were fair and reasonable and that he hoped negotiations would continue.
Delwen Stander, a Vancouver lawyer who is the spokesperson for the SROA, disagreed and called the offer being tabled by Bellstar exceedingly high and unfair.
Negotiations continued over the past 72 hours and it was announced last Wednesday afternoon that a deal for Bellstar to sell the assets to the SROA had been reached.
Bellstar is the Alberta-based property development company that built Spirit Ridge a decade ago. Bellstar was 75 per cent owner of the development, while the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) was 25 per cent owner.
Spirit Ridge is located entirely on land owned by the OIB.
On Thursday morning, OIB Chief Clarence Louie released a statement saying he was very pleased to announce a deal had been reached between Bellstar and the SROA.
“Determined behind-the-scenes efforts by the OIB negotiating representatives has led to a breakthrough conditional deal that sees the reopening of the conference centre and restaurant operations at Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip Resort,” said Louie in his statement. “The OIB helped facilitate an agreement that will see the ownership of the conference centre, restaurant and check-in hall transfer to the SROA. The agreement means all major events and weddings planned at Spirit Ridge … can continue as planned.
“This is a great deal for everyone involved, especially for all the people who visit or want a wedding or conference here. Spirit Ridge is a major part of our Nk’Mip Resort. Guests love staying here. This agreement creates a huge spin-off for all the resort business and the tourism industry overall in the region.”
When the SROA decided to change hotel management companies, the conference centre, restaurant and check-in lodge were no longer a direct part of resort operations, said Louie.
“We have been working very hard over the past few months to resolve this and I’m happy to say that this agreement keeps Spirit Ridge at Nk’ Mip Resort on a strong footing moving forward.”
To celebrate the signing of the new deal, the SROA has decided to hold a ceremonial smudging to mark a new beginning.
The decision to hold a ceremonial smudging to mark the resort’s new beginning was an easy one for Leon Algadzis, Executive Director of Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip Resort.
“For the Okanagan First Nations people, a smudging represents a fresh start and that’s what we have,” said Algadzis. “This fresh start comes after a deal was made earlier this week for Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip Resort to acquire immediate control of the common area assets, including the main lodge and conference centre.
“The deal means restaurant operations will recommence in the lodge and the many weddings and events planned for this year will continue as planned.
Lisa Fredericks, the meeting and event sales leader at Spirit Ridge, said all conferences and weddings booked at the facility would move ahead in the coming weeks and months.
“Our event clients deserve a big thank you for their patience during this time,” said Fredericks. “I’ve shared the good news with all of them and they’re ecstatic. The brides are counting the days to their wedding.”
Members of the SROA are thankful for the assistance of the OIB in helping broker this deal.
“We would like to thank the Osoyoos Indian Band for assisting with the negotiations and look forward to working together on many projects and initiatives in the future,” said Algadzis. “We welcome all members of the public to join us in celebrating this occasion.”
The event will include an address by Chief Louie and Algadzis, a smudging ceremony, Okanagan First Nations performances and hors d’oeuvres prepared by students of the Nk’Mip Culinary Program.
The ceremony will start at 10:30 a.m. this coming Sunday, March 20 at Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip Resort.
For more information about the event, contact the front desk at 250-495-5445 or by emailing [email protected].
Delwen Stander, the Vancouver lawyer who spoke on behalf of the SROA, said the owners are looking forward to a bright future with this new deal.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
