Braap Rentals is getting revved up in Sicamous.
Partners Vern Pierce and Christine Pors opened the doors on June 25 after moving here from Alberta for family reasons, but also because the area's four-season recreational opportunities.
With the doors now open, they’ll be renting Can-Am sleds, quads, dirt bikes and summer toys including paddle boards, floating islands and kayaks. The duo is looking to eventually add boats to the lineup. That variety of activity is what made him choose Sicamous for a Shuswap location, because “this is the place I could do all that.”
“There’s something for everyone,” Pierce added. “If it’s not here and you need it, it’ll be here for next time.”
For those who already have their own machines, Braap also offers parts and repair services, with Pierce a certified Can-Am technician who works on all small engines and rebuilds motors that have been shipped all over the world.
Though still moving in and putting the finishing touches on the building, located at 1233 Monashee Frontage Road, Pierce and Pors having been welcoming customers throughout the process.
“The locals are amazing” Pierce said. “They welcomed us in, they needed more stuff like this.”
“Yeah, so far so good,” Pors added. “It’s been a really good experience so far.”
Pierce originally started the company under the name Alberta ATV Repair nine years ago in St. Albert, but after they got almost no snow last year, he and Pors followed the powder to Valemount where they opened a second location in January.
The next expansion project involved Pierce’s dad, who lived in White Lake, which was fast tracked after his cancer diagnosis this spring.
“I kinda did this place up real quick, to get here,” he said of making their dream happen before losing his dad a week and a half ago. “It’s been the past three months of go, go, go.”
After 13 trips back and forth with loaded trailers, the couple is ready to slow down and settle in. Having just sold the St. Albert location, finalized on July 31, they’ll have more time do that and focus on the Sicamous location.
Braap will be open 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, but they will also accommodate some after-hours drop offs or Saturday pick ups. In the winter, however, his phone will be on from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to match sledders’ schedules.
“I accommodate for the sledders the most,” he admitted, adding that he also does rescue and recovery.
With his priority getting people out having fun, Pierce has another project that helps people “spend more time exploring and less time searching.” He created the website atvandskidootrails.com that lists 30 towns each in B.C. and Alberta listing the trails available, and particulars such as amenities, cabins, experience levels and a Go Now button that directs users to the staging areas.
The couple is currently finalizing their price list, that will be posted on their Facebook page next week, but are keeping things affordable so that everyone get out and enjoy the backcountry.
“We just want people to out there and have fun.”
