This week at Big White ending June 26

It has been a beautiful Okanagan week at the mountain and all of the various crews are hard at their projects. The Village Centre grass is finally starting to turn green and the daffodils and tulips are just out - it’s amazing the difference the elevation makes to the vegetation.

At the Chateau Blanc site, there's been concrete and more concrete as they pour footings for the future hotel. They have averaged over 150 metres of concrete poured every day. The two cranes were delivered and the preparation for installation for the smaller of the two is done. They have been setting up the form for the base of the elevator, the tower and the mechanical rooms. The crew is hoping to pour that footing on Monday, June 30.

Over at the Edge project, everything is on schedule. Phase 1 is continuing the interior and exterior finishing, the first building in Phase 2 has ¾ of the roof on and the second building's footings are in and the foundation walls are being formed. Phase 3’s excavation has been completed up to the rock blasting for which they are waiting for the blasting crew.

Stonegate was very busy earlier this week as they poured the first floor of the Phase 3 tower. The crews continue to pre-fabricate the walls in the parking area.

At the Terraces site the excavators have been busy all week shaping the lots and the road. They are also putting in the services such as, gas, water, sewer etc.

In the Feathertop subdivision, excavation has started this week on what will be one of the premier private residences on the mountain.

Big White crews have also been busy in a variety of projects. This week a team put in a new brick walkway in the Village Centre going from the parking lot to the Plaza area. They then worked on the Village Centre area reseeding and fertilizing the turf areas. They are now busy re-doing all the woodwork on the exterior of the Village Centre Mall.

Lift crews have been preparing Lara’s Gondola for the bull wheel removal to replace the bearings. This is a huge job and requires removal of the cable. They have also been working on regular maintenance issues on the Plaza Chair.

Now that most of the snow has gone and the ground is drying up, the summer grooming program has started on the Ridge pod.

This past weekend saw the summer events crew at the ultimate feel good event!  Our crew was fortunate enough to be able to take part in the Second annual Boat for Hope.  This event, in support of Variety Children's Charity, saw children with both mental and physical challenges take to the water.  The Kelowna Yacht Club set aside their club and members to help out in this very rewarding day. Members of the club donated their time and boats to take these children out for a memorable trip.  All volunteers dressed in pirates costumes that really brought the spirit of the event to life.  The Kelowna Fire Department, RCMP and other organizations were on hand to set up games, activities and live music.  It was hard to tell who got more out of the day, the children or the supporters of the event.

This upcoming week turns the temperature up.  The Big White summer events crew will be at Westside Daze and of course celebrating Canada Day.  At Westside Daze we'll be running a games and activities area at Johnson Bentley Park.  The event runs from Saturday June 28th until Tuesday July1st with family-friendly fun, music and food.  On July 1st we move over to Waterfront Park where the party for Canada's birthday will take place.  Our kid’s area will be set up and because of the expected heat we will have our tents out so that you can find some shade. We will also be soliciting volunteers for the BC Summer Games 2008 taking place here in Kelowna starting on July 24th. Or go online to www.kelowna2008.ca for details. Do it for the Kids!