Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie follows Noah Bower (left) and Kxansulaxw Hall during a smudging ceremony as part of the rededication of Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip Resort on Sunday. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
A “cultural renaissance” brought many people together in Osoyoos on Sunday to witness the rededication and new beginning of Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip Resort.
A smudging ceremony by Kxansulaxw Hall led more than 100 people through the resort, celebrating a deal that brought a financial dispute between the owners of units and the original developer to an end last week.
In January, Bellstar Hotels and Resorts closed the conference centre, restaurant and check-in lodge after the Spirit Ridge Owners’ Association (SROA) terminated them as property manager.
The closure of the facilities threatened bookings and deposits that were already made for weddings and other functions at the resort.
Bellstar had argued that it wanted a fair return on its investment in the facilities, but according to the SROA, Bellstar’s asking price was too high.
The dispute raged on, but after the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and Chief Clarence Louie stepped in, a tentative deal was reached two weeks ago to turn over ownership of the restaurant, conference centre and check-in lodge to the SROA.
“We feel elated,” said Peter Fominoff, one of the 430 owners at Spirit Ridge. “The OIB kicked butt on both sides (to resolve this).”
Fominoff made it clear that if it wasn’t for the leadership shown by the OIB, the owners and Bellstar would still be fighting.
Fominoff said working out a resolution was a difficult time for everyone, admitting the negotiations were not very friendly.
However, a deal to sell the assets to the SROA was reached and the conference centre and check-in hall have reopened.
The lodge restaurant is slated to reopen April 1. In the meantime, people can dine at Knickerbockers at Sonora Dunes Golf Course.
The agreement also means that all major events and weddings that were previously in jeopardy are now going ahead as planned.
Brianne Hearle, director of sales and marketing, confirmed that all of the scheduled events and weddings are back on the books.
She acknowledged that some brides and grooms were initially quite concerned, but now they are “ecstatic” to hear the good news.
Hearle did note that soon-to-be married couples who were planning their events were given an alternative to use the Desert Cultural Centre or large event tents for their weddings.
Mike Campol, the resort’s director of operations, said he was excited to put the conflict behind them and move forward.
As an owner, he too was concerned about his investment, but is now looking ahead to expanding the resort’s marketing as a First Nations experience.
Leon Algadzis, executive director of the resort, said Campol has assembled a “dream team” to take the resort to places it has never been.
Algadzis said the name change to Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip Resort from Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa reflects the importance of recognizing a place created by mother nature and landscaped by First Nations culture.
He pointed out that one out of every four visitors in B.C. is seeking a First Nations experience. He also pointed to the 11 independent businesses at the resort as a testament to its success.
Algadzis said Nk’Mip Resort has an ownership base of 800-1,000 people, hosts more than 150,000 guests a year, and brings more than $50 million to the area.
“We tell our staff that our guests don’t care how much we know, they want to know how much we care.”
But he acknowledged how much the resort embraces its relationship with the OIB, pointing to Louie’s “unprecedented” leadership.
“He has taken this band from adversity and poverty to prosperity.”
Louie began his speech by saying there are always ups and downs in business.
“We went through a down (here), but hopefully it got straightened out,” said Louie.
He noted that the toughest part of being in business is staying in business.
“Half of them don’t survive the first decade.”
The chief personally thanked the owners for taking a risk at Nk’Mip Resort and praised those who poured their life savings into their units.
Fominoff said all of the owners invested big dollars into the resort and some have watched their values drop by 50 per cent.
“Now (after this deal) we feel we can start making money and see our property values go up,” he said.
Fominoff said the deal that will see them take ownership of the assets is currently subject to financing, but he’s confident the money will be forthcoming soon.
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff took part in the ceremonial smudging and was happy to see the rededication. But she admitted her surprise that such a conflict arose between Bellstar and the owners.
“I honestly didn’t think there would be a problem,” she said.
Guests at the smudging were treated to a variety of delectable food produced by the resort’s culinary students. The OIB has sponsored a culinary program at Spirit Ridge for the past two years.
Director of Education Theresa Gabriel said they are working very hard to optimize the students’ success and are now working on a pilot tourism program that will see those students working collectively with the culinary students.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
