It’s been a year of ups and downs, people arriving/leaving and new businesses establishing.
Here are some highlights from a year of business in Revelstoke for 2019:
February
• An economist says Revelstokians can expect to pay three cents more per litre with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Most gasoline in Revelstoke arrives from Kamloops on the pipeline. Currently, gas is $132.9 per litre at most gas stations in Revelstoke.
READ MORE: Economist: Gas prices will increase with Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
• It’s official. Revelstoke makes some of the best booze in Canada. Monashee Spirits won the Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year Award at the national Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition.
READ MORE: Revelstoke distillery smashes national competition
March
• Rider Express, the bus that replaced Greyhound through Revelstoke has trouble with ridership and instead of offering daily buses, offers three per week between Calgary and Vancouver. According to their agreement, they were supposed to offer daily services since last October. However, by April the bus manages a daily service.
• Up to 90 per cent of the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation’s tree farm license is within caribou habitat. It’s unknown how future plans to protect the endangered species could impact the company.
READ MORE: Caribou plans could have big consequences for Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation
• Local owners received a letter that said they could no longer use the name “Base Camp” for their business as it was trademarked by an Albertan company. Revelstoke residents Christiane Duclos and Lorne Alcock have owned Base Camp Guest House for almost a decade. The trademark issue has yet to be solved.
READ MORE: Revelstoke business receives cease and desist letter over trademarked name
• According to newly collected Telus data, there are more than 13,000 people living in Revelstoke, which is double the statistics reported in the 2016 federal census.
April
• Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMHA) presented to city council an overview of their business and its connection to the city. However, when it comes to caribou, the company’s future becomes murky. It’s unknown what might happen with possible land closures to protect the endangered animal.
• The local WorkBC office reduces to part time hours.
READ MORE: Revelstoke WorkBC to decrease to part time hours in April
• Howard’s Taxi starts driving. It’s one of two taxi services offered in Revelstoke.
READ MORE: New taxi company coming to Revelstoke
May
• Crescent Heights Mobile Home Park closes in Revelstoke, forcing its residents to leave. There is little protection for mobile homes in Revelstoke, an issue city council has yet to address.
READ MORE: ‘We’re ruined by this’: Revelstoke tenants forced to leave closing trailer park
June
• Revelstoke city council approved a development permit for a second hotel at Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
READ MORE: Council approves second hotel at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
July
• The federal government announces $25 million in funding for Avalanche Canada after years of financial struggle.
READ MORE: Feds announce $25M for Avalanche Canada
• Revelstoke City Council approves development permit for a Boston Pizza and Dairy Queen along the Trans-Canada, next to the Ramada Hotel.
READ MORE:Revelstoke City Council approves development permits for Boston Pizza and Dairy Queen
August
• Summit Cannabis, Revelstoke’s first retail cannabis store opens.
READ MORE: Revelstoke’s first legal cannabis shop opens
• Visitor Centre notes a downturn in visitation to Revelstoke for the summer at six per cent less than 2018.
• While more than 4,000 people across the province have been impacted by closures and curtailments in B.C.’s forest industry, Downie Timber appears to be weathering the storm. However, it has had two brief closures this year to help reduce costs. One in August and another in September.
READ MORE: Despite brief shut downs Revelstoke’s Downie Timber weathering the storm
September
• Hut and chalet proposed near the glacier on Mount Begbie. A public meeting was held for the proposal with the vast majority of attendees opposing the development.
October
• Twelve Revelstoke eateries faced off for the best burger with $4,000 raised for the library’s learning lab.
READ MORE: Burger gluttony: Revelstoke Review tackles the burger challenge
• Revelstoke company Shade Sails Canada appeared on CBC’s Dragon’s Den and they made a deal. For $200,000, Vincenzo Guzzo, bought 17.5 per cent of the company.
READ MORE: Revelstoke family-owned business makes a deal with a dragon
November
• There were 13 awards handed out to Revelstoke businesses at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual business awards. Southside Market won Business of the Year Award, Christy Mele from Selkirk Dental for Employee of the Year and The Popcycle for Best Youth Employer.
READ MORE: PHOTOS: Revelstoke celebrates business excellence
• Some Revelstokians write letters to the B.C. Utility Commission to support or oppose the proposed propane subsidy, including Mayor Gary Sulz on behalf of Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation. The corporation may not be able to compete with subsided propane.
• Despite Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation owing millions, a proposed propane subsidy has now raised concerns for the corporation’s future. As of 2018, RCEC has unpaid bills totaling more than $2 million from unpaid dividends, loans and long term debts. The company is owned by the City of Revelstoke.
READ MORE: City of Revelstoke company owes millions
• Stellar Chair opens at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, the first new chair since the ski hill opened in 2008.
READ MORE: ‘We’re really excited’: New chairlift at Revelstoke Mountain Resort opens
December
| Christopher Nicolson from Canada West Ski Areas Association (centre) skis through the ribbon for the opening of the Stellar Chair. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review) |
• The Big Eddy school site lots were sold for $1.6 million. The sale has been in the works since 2012.
READ MORE: Big Eddy School lots sold for $1.6 million
• Adrian Giacca gets grant from RBC and Community Futures to further develop his push for tiny homes, which includes finding land, gathering community input, pitching ideas to mortgage lenders and advocating for approval from local and provincial governments.
