I’m writing this to inform the community the Revelstoke Current is, regretfully, suspending operations as of today, March 25 2020. It may be an online media, but the Revelstoke Current is still a business with associated costs, and COVID-19 has landed a critical hit.

Launched 2009, the Revelstoke Current has been in my care for nineteen months. Like David Rooney, its creator, I was never in it for the money, and if I could cover everything voluntarily, I would. During economic booms, hustling for advertisers is a reality and competition for advertising dollars is fierce. As you all know, right now is not, economically speaking, the best of times.

I love this community, and I love writing about it. But the fact is, interviewing, writing, and editing all takes time, and even online, there are overheads. The beauty and the flaws of the Revelstoke Current are one and the same – an independent and nearly solo endeavour offers freedom of publishing, but is often accompanied by unrealistic expectations of content output. 

Additionally, at a time with no school or childcare for the foreseeable future, I need to put my family first. My significant other is working from home, and two of us doing so with kids is not a functional long term reality.

The Revelstoke Current has always been special. Rooney created a microcosm paper with a hyper focus on local; it was just what the community needed. Shaun Aquiline ensured its survival when Rooney passed away, and I was honoured to be entrusted to carry on the legacy of “community first.” I had spent years writing for other local media, and was ready to step out on my own. 

Thank You

To the contributors (written and visual) – thank you for your work, it is so appreciated. Each of you brought something unique that spoke to different people in the community.

To the advertisers- thank you for your support and for believing in all the iterations of the Revelstoke Current. I will be sure to support your businesses however I can in the coming days. 

To all the readers – some of you are from 2009, some are newer; big love to all of you, for reading, sharing, commenting, taking the time to send those lovely emails I get – for everything! 

To everyone I wrote about – thank you for sharing your stories, they are incredible. No matter the content, there is always something inspiring and unique in each and every one of you.

COVID-19 and the Media

In the last week, Black Press laid off the Revelstoke Review’s Editor, Jocelyn Doll, and cartoonist, Rob Buchanon. Aaron Orlando, the Creative Director of the Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine and Revelstoke Mountaineer online, the only other independent news source in Revelstoke, suspended operations of his print and online media.

Liam Harrap at the Revelstoke Review is now the community’s soul journalist at work. That’s a heavy burden. I hope Black Press does what they can to ensure Liam doesn’t burn out. 

Liam, if you read this, you’re an excellent journalist and a lovely human, so I know the community is in good hands.

Aaron had, months ago, spoken about a new initiative for journalism, a platform that isn’t advertiser driven. COVID-19 may have caused a temporary near collapse of local journalism, but it may, ultimately, lead to something even better. I’m optimistic for the future of Revelstoke news.

The website, its back catalogue, and the Rooney/Aquiline legacy website, will stay online. Who knows what the future holds.

Signing off for now,

Imogen Whale

Avalanche Canada’s forecasts rely primarily on data from a network of avalanche professionals across western Canada. The early closure of backcountry operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic has cut off much of that data stream, so the warning service is no longer receiving enough information to issue accurate forecasts.

This decision to end forecasting early is also prompted by concerns for the healthcare system during this epidemic. “We do not want to provide a service that promotes recreating in mountainous terrain, where there is often significant hazard,” explains Executive Director Gilles Valade. “Both BC and Alberta have declared a state of emergency. Our health authorities, as well as our Prime Minister, are urging people to stay home. This is clearly not the time for taking any sort of risk.”

In addition to the early end of the forecasts, Avalanche Canada will also shut down the Mountain Information Network (MIN). This online platform allows backcountry users to submit trip reports and observations from the field. In normal times, the MIN is a highly successful strategy for exchanging real-time information. But, as with the forecasts, Avalanche Canada does not want MIN reports to serve as encouragement to go into the backcountry.

“We do not take these steps lightly,” adds Valade. “Avalanche Canada is the national public avalanche safety organization and we take our responsibilities very seriously. But we feel it is essential that we work together and do what we can to avoid putting any extra load on our healthcare system at this time.”

Core services include-

Income and disability assistance
Residential Tenancy
BC Services Card
Drivers’ licencing
Affordable Childcare Benefit
Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Forestry Workers Program

The current hours of operation are as follows-

HOURS OF OPERATION

8:30-9:00 Mandatory Cleaning

9:00-10:00 Seniors & Immune Compromised Citizens ONLY

10:00-10:30 Mandatory Cleaning

10:30–12:00 CORE SERVICES ONLY

12:00-1:00 CLOSED FOR LUNCH

1:00-1:30 Mandatory Cleaning

1:30-3:00 CORE SERVICES ONLY

3:00-3:30 Mandatory Cleaning

3:30-4:30 CORE SERVICES ONLY

Revelstokians who need assistance with other services have options, please see the following –

TEXT: 1-604-660-2421

PHONE: 1-800-663-7867

EMAIL: www.gov.bc.ca/contactus

ONLINE: https://news.gov.bc.ca and follow the links

“We are working flat out,” their post says. “This crisis is unlike anything we have experienced in our lifetime.”

Their post urges the public to quit socializing and to follow the City and Provinces directives.

“No dinner parties. No house parties. No children’s playdates. No carpooling.”

The doctors of the community are encouraging friends to meet up online and have coffee. It notes social distancing applies at grocery stores and encourages people to wash their hands and disinfect points of entry to public facilities.

Young people, it notes, need to step up and appreciate the severe consequences of ignoring social distancing. They can still get seriously ill, infect health care workers needed on the front line, overwhelm medical resources and, worst of all, infect someone whose body is not able to fight off the virus.

“The time is now,” it reads. “We cannot wait one more hour or one more day. Join us. Help us.”

Patients must call ahead to be booked in. This is a tactic being used to avoid crowding and maintain social distancing.

Selkirk Medical Group is letting the community know that, while the site is open, kinks are being worked out. The current phone message, which mentions Salmon Arm and Monday to Friday, are incorrect and can be ignored. The message will be updated on Monday.

At the moment, if the line is busy, callers will get the automated menu. Choose menu option 2 for ‘Public Health Nurse’, which will allow you to leave a message. The nurses will call you back. Don’t forget to leave your phone number

The site number is 1-250-814-2230.

Phones Staffed from  8:30 am-4:30 pm M-F and 9:00 am-2:00 pm Sat-Sun. Appointments will occur 9:30-1:30 daily.

Continue to use the BC Self-Assessment Tool as a personal decision guide. This Revelstoke Assessment # may be called INSTEAD of 811 for information if the tool directs you to contact 811. 811 is still live 24/7 if you need.

Perform the Self Assessment IF YOU HAVE:

1. new cough/cold/fever symptoms, even mild.
2. travel outside of Canada in the past 14 days
3. known contact with a proven or probable C-19 case

The Selkirk Medical Group website is up to date with all relevant information. The groups of local physicians released the following statement today, March 21 2020, regarding COVID-19 in town.

“A word about local COVID positive numbers as we understandably receive many inquiries for this information: to be frank, folks, the physicians simply do not know. There are 4 reasons:

1. At this time the BC Ministry of Health is not providing communities with local case data.
2. People with mild symptoms are not being tested as Canada does not have the capacity to test everyone right now.
3. The role of contact tracing is performed by the Department of Public Health, not physicians.
4. Revelstoke facilities are not the only places Revelstokians may go to for medical care.

Health care workers in town have assessed a couple hundred folks with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms in the past 10+ days, the majority of which were not tested as per current BC guidelines, and were instructed to self-isolate. Our heli-ski company friends have kindly shared information about three March visitors who tested positive, and Backcountry magazine published an article about a 4th March traveller through Revelstoke, also positive. Revelstokians have been in places in Canada and abroad where there are positive cases. COVID-19 is definitely in the community and definitely spreading. Assume that everyone you know is incubating virus and potentially contagious, stay abreast of the guidelines and follow them explicitly. This is the only way we can mitigate the community toll.”

“We are also choosing at this time to confirm that Revelstoke has our first positive COVID-19 case in community. We’d rather you hear it locally first,” the Selkirk Medical Group notice reads. “This information has been reviewed and confirmed by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). As directed by Provincial Health Officer (PHO), Dr. Bonnie Henry, all contact and exposure tracing has been completed, all isolation protocols followed.”

It on to note that this case was related to international travel, and that there is no evidence of in-community transmission.

“These circumstances change very little for us, Revy…but it does make it real. Now. We know. As a community, we are in this together. We cannot stress the importance of each person’s role in flattening the curve by reducing contact with each other through social distancing and self isolation. Most people with mild symptoms will not be tested. ”

Anyone concerned regarding a potential exposure are asked to self isolate and refer to the BC Covid-19 self-assessment tool, and follow its clear directives. If the tool directs you to contact a physician please call SMG at (250) 837-9321 to set up a telehealth visit with a doctor at the Selkirk Medical Group regarding next steps.

“Because this is a pandemic, it is reasonable to expect more COVID-19 cases in our town. Cases are increasing across the province. Circumstances and locations of people who test positive are not publicly shared unless public health officials cannot be certain they have reached all persons at risk. Case contacts at risk will be traced and contacted by public health officials. All patients should feel safe in their care by health care providers, knowing specific details of their situation are confidential,” the message reads.

“Keep looking after each other. Keep pulling together. Keep following the rules. We can do this. You are all awesome. So proud to be with you. The Docs.”

The Revelstoke Community Centre has shut its doors. The aquatic centre and any classes held within the facility are cancelled. All fitness/aquatic passes are granted an automatic extension. Staff is still available to answer any calls.

The Revelstoke Seniors Centre is closed.

The Revelstoke Okanagan Library is closed, no late book fines will be incurred for the duration of the closure.

The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre’s April art exhibit “Inspired By” has been cancelled, along with any spring break kids camps.

City of Revelstoke offices are open, but closed to the public.

The Revelstoke Museum and Archives is closed.

The Revelstoke Train Museum is closed.

Revelstoke Community Connections has closed all group programming, home visits and community outings. All face to face meetings will be done over the phone/video. The food bank is still open.

Mayor Gary Sulz updated the community earlier today.

“Effective as of 4:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2020, Revelstoke Mountain Resort will suspend all operations. Access to the mountain will be prohibited,” reads the official statement.

“Our top priority at Revelstoke Mountain Resort has always been the health and safety of our guests and employees and for this reason we will be suspending resort operations until further notice. While we had hoped that we could continue to offer our guests a safe, outdoor place of escape we are taking this action as a precaution. In light of the growing need to encourage self isolation we have made the difficult decision to suspend our operations. We know that this is disappointing news and we did not take the decision lightly.

We understand that you will have questions so we anticipate a very high call volume to Guest Services over the coming days. We encourage you to send your questions by email to info@revelstokemountainresort.com and we will do our best to respond in a timely manner. Please also watch our website for ongoing updates about our resort operations.

We thank you for your support during these challenging times. We look forward to welcoming you back to Revelstoke Mountain Resort as soon as possible.”

Hours earlier, Dr. Batchelor a local physician at Selkirk Medical Group, and the Chief of Surgery at Queen Victoria Hospital, had called on RMR to close their doors to help flatten the curve. An online petition as well as a firestorm of comments on social media hit RMR over the past two days.

When The Revelstoke Current reached out to Dr. Batchelor about the consequences of RMR staying open, he noted the key to avoiding a situation like in Italy is to flatten the curve through social distancing and the prevention of movement of the population.

“It’s socially irresponsible. With Whistler and most other closed, RMR is basically inviting movement of the population and what’s more to a small town with very little extra medical resources,” Dr. Batchelor said. “It saddens me deeply.”

With RMR suspending operations, it is doing its part to keep the community safe. While RMR may have, at times, a tempestuous relationship with Revelstoke, everyone who works on site is a part of our community, even if only seasonally.

Revelstoke prides itself on delivering a world-class ski experience. Our team of passionate individuals is committed to providing our guests with the best vacation experience possible, right up until our closing day on April 19, 2020. With increased attention on the COVID-19 virus, we want to let you know what we’re doing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort to maintain a safe and clean environment for both guests and employees. We will continue to monitor the situation and update the website with new information if and when things change.

As of March 12, 5:45pm PDT, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for Canada, and Vancouver Coastal Health says the risk of coronavirus disease transmission continues to remain low for residents of British Columbia. We encourage everyone to consult with their local health authority for the most up to date information and make an informed decision in regards to their own health.

The health and safety of our employees and guests is our top priority which includes maintaining high standards for cleaning and sanitation. In addition to our regular procedures, Revelstoke Mountain Resort has taken additional steps to maintain a safe and clean environment for employees and guests including:

More frequent cleanings of guest and staff bathrooms

Installation of additional hand sanitizing units around the Resort

Addition of signs in all bathrooms reminding guests to wash their hands and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette

Changing lift loading procedures to allow for social distancing and for guests to choose their own groupings

Single lines will be removed from the Stoke, Ripper and Stellar Chair to prevent group mixing

Gondola cabins will be disinfected twice daily

Regular deep cleaning and sanitization for all Resort and hotel facilities

Canceling the Spring Melter event scheduled for Closing Day, April 19, 2020

We have also reinforced with all of our employees of the importance that we all work together to prevent the spread of illness in the workplace. We continue to monitor the situation and follow the advice of WorkSafeBC and the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort continues to focus on promoting a healthy active lifestyle and invite guests to enjoy the fresh air and wide-open spaces our mountain environment offers. Revelstoke Mountain Resort is scheduled to continue winter operations until closing day on April 19, 2020.

We understand that travel plans may need to be adjusted, so we have eased our cancellation and booking policies. Please contact us for assistance with cancellations or booking modifications.