By Chris Conway

The Three Voices of Healing Society has won the municipal contract to operate the Kinsmen Beach Concession facility for a three-year period commencing June 1.

In a tight competition with two other applicants, the deciding factor was council’s desire to build a stronger relationship with its First Nations neighbour and to support the society’s rehabilitation program.

At its meeting on May 12 the District of Invermere council considered three tenure applications for the concession operation, those being: the current operator (Snazzi Shack), 0819611 BC Ltd (Tod Mitchell), and The Three Voices of Healing Society. Applications closed on the preceding Friday (May 15).

CAO Chris Prosser told council that since completing the Kinsmen Beach building, the district has been trying to create a year-round atmosphere at the location. Prosser advised that although revenue is important, visitor experience and customer service were key factors in assessing the applications.

He stated that all the proposals were good but identified the Mitchell and the Three Voices proposals as the strongest.

Prosser stated that the Three Voices application has a unique First Nations connection, offers higher numbers for part-time employment and includes the social aspect of the society’s rehabilitation program.

Prosser advised that Mitchell has extensive tourism based experience.  He has previously been involved with the Panorama / Invermere DMO and managed the Best Western Hotel and the Copper City Saloon. He currently operates a successful business in Windermere.

The Mitchell and the Three Voices applications both offered interesting new menu ideas and Mitchell also proposed making some sporting equipment available on a rental basis.

Prosser told council that staff recommended the Mitchell application as it focused on more than just the summer and a few weeks in winter and could help create a destination to draw more people through town to Kinsmen Beach.  Prosser stated this focus would give an opportunity to expand the uses at the beach and make it more than a place to swim in summer and play pond hockey in winter.

Councillor Paul Denchuk asked the CAO for an explanation of the Three Voices after-care program, mentioned in their application. Prosser explained that the society provides a rehabilitation program and part of that program includes reintegration into the workforce to enable participants to regain independent living capability.

“I like the idea of the after-care program,” said Coun. Justin Atterbury. “It would be a good venue for that and this would be a good way to help support them.  That spot would be very valuable for them in what they are trying to accomplish, and it would go above and beyond just running a regular business down there.”

Denchuk agreed. “I really like the Three Voices of Healing proposal,” he said. “If it was just business-by-business I may go with Mr. Mitchell but I really like the social aspect to this. Helping people through tough times with work is a really good way to do things.

“I think that connection with First Nations in the valley is an important one,” added Denchuk.  I’ve never had this opportunity, sitting at this table before, to make that connection and it’s the small steps that count in trying to build relationships with our neighbours.”

Denchuk said the two applications were well matched but that for him, working with people gave the Three Voices application an edge.

Coun. Al Miller said he was torn because the Mitchell proposal gave the community a possibility to make a few more dollars but that the collaboration with our neighbours through the Three Voices of Healing caused him to slide in that direction.

Coun. Greg Anderson said he appreciated the operating hours commitment and expanded business offered by the Mitchell application.

Denchuk suggested that the district could help guide the society to take a similar approach.  Atterbury supported Denchuk’s suggestion and added that the social aspect of the application made up for any deficiency in that respect.

Denchuk noted that the Three Voices Society had received support and donations from Tim Hortons, Copper Point Resort and the Best Western Prestige Hotel. The society intends to do a trial run this summer before spending capital on the facility but has shown a willingness to invest extensively in the space if the first summer goes well.

There being no further discussion, Council voted unanimously to award the Kinsmen Beach Concession contract to the Three Voices of Healing Society for a three-year term beginning June 1 for $350 per month.

Mayor Gerry Taft was not present for the discussion or the vote having recused himself to avoid perceptions of conflict arising from his business dealings with the concession.

The Three Voices of Healing Society’s Wellness Centre is operated by a registered non-profit, non-political service organization dedicated to the treatment of First Nations people suffering from addictions.  The center is located on six acres of land leased from the Shuswap Band near Invermere.

Additional information about the Three Voices of Healing programs may be found at http://healingisajourney.com

Lead image: Kinsmen Beach and the new concession building. Photo by Chris Conway

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