Photo: Contributed

The Regional District of North Okanagan has given its blessing to the Silver Star Resort Association Bylaw and Maps.

The Silver Star Resort Association is one step closer to becoming reality.

The Regional District of North Okanagan has given its blessing to the Silver Star Resort Association Bylaw and Maps.

Don Kassa, a local realtor and member of the Silver Star Marketing Task Force, said that is good news for the North Okanagan Ski hill.

“We on the task force are very pleased the regional district has seen fit to ratify the petition process,” said Kassa, adding the task force can now go forward with the petition process.

“A resort association will for the first time give the SilverStar community a direct voice with government. A direct voice with a provincial government and regional government will allow us to lobby directly for the betterment of the community,” said Kassa, noting Sun Peaks and Whistler-Blackcomb already has such as an association.

“SilverStar has been a big part of my life since childhood and this is an exciting move forward.”

The task force is using existing associations at other ski hills as a template for SilverStar, but with changes tailored to the local mountain.

Once the association is formed, an elected board of 11 members will represent the community.

“Approval of the Silver Star Resort Association Bylaw and Maps was the second step required by the Silver Star Marketing Task Force to allow the group to move forward to a petition process. The role of the Regional District has now concluded,” said regional district chairperson Bob Fleming. 

In an interview last year, Ken Derpak, Silver Star managing director, said “It's really about marketing the resort” adding an association would give the hill an opportunity to access incremental funding for events and activities.

“As a not for profit, it could be a conduit for a hotel tax,” he said, noting that money could be used to market the resort.