Some things take a lot of time and effort. This mountain community is worth it.
Dear Hemlock Valley Homeowners,
I know it has been a while, but I am happy to update you all and share some important news: after more than a year and a half of careful discussion, the Berezan Hospitality Group (BHG) and your Hemlock Valley Homeowners Association (HVHA) have formally agreed to advance the process toward establishing the Hemlock Valley Resort Association (HVRA). Under the leadership of Deanne Steven of Larch Business Services, an expert in resort‐association administration, and with strategic guidance from Terry Pratt, a consultant with much government background, we are now launching a structured, community-engagement process that will inform titleholders and respond to their questions and concerns. The involvement of everyone impacted by this endeavour will hopefully culminate in an official petition to the Province of British Columbia this autumn.
A Brief History
Our initial conversations began in 2023, when the BHG and HVHA recognized the immense potential of a resort association: to capture and reinvest the Municipal Regional District Tax (MRDT) revenue generated by Hemlock Valley short-term rentals, to fund community infrastructure and marketing, and to ensure homeowners have a meaningful seat at the table. Progress was slow, with negotiations stalled over board representation and funding commitments. In early 2025, Terry Pratt was brought on by the Berezan Hospitality Group to break the logjam. She worked closely with both parties to refine our shared goals and priorities. The result is a clear, agreed-upon framework for moving forward.
What Comes Next: 2025–2026 Roadmap
Over the coming months, Deanne will coordinate four key phases to shape and secure a successful HVRA application:
- Research & Draft Bylaws (by May 19, 2025)
- Deanne will review the structures, bylaws, fee schedules, and governance models of British Columbia’s four existing resort associations (Whistler, Sun Peaks, Red Mountain, Silver Star).
- Deanne will compare lessons learned by the other associations to the existing draft set of HVRA bylaws and offer adjustments where favourable—covering board composition, voting rights, fee assessments, and decision-making protocols.
- Larch Business Services will compile a complete mailing list of all property owners via Title Search.
- Stakeholder Engagement (by September 1, 2025)
- Deanne will form a Steering Committee—including representatives from HVHA, Sts’ailes, the Fraser Valley Regional District, the Province of BC, and other key partners—to guide the petition strategy.
- Larch Business Services will launch a dedicated HVRA website to post updates, host FAQ resources, and allow online stakeholder registration. Scheduled launch is July 11th, 2025.
- Deanne will send invitations to all stakeholders and she will host three rounds of engagement sessions: Two online webinars scheduled for JULY 14 @ 7PM and AUGUST 11 @ 7PM, and an in-resort open house—where property owners and stakeholders can review the draft bylaws, suggest changes, and ask questions directly to Deanne, HVHA leadership, and representatives from the Berezan Hospitality Group. This session is scheduled for AUGUST 23 at SASQUATCH MOUNTAIN RESORT DAY LODGE. Times have yet to be confirmed.
- Finalize & Petition (by November 1, 2025)
- Larch Business Services will incorporate community feedback to refine the bylaws further in partnership with the BHG, the HVHA, and MJB Lawyers.
- Larch Business Services will create and distribute the official petition to all titleholders with property located within the Resort Promotion Area (Sasquatch Mountain’s Controlled Recreation Area plus the Village of Hemlock Valley). There are a total of 412 lots in this proposed region. It is yet to be confirmed how many of these PIDs are not eligible to vote (for example FVRD lots).
- Larch Business Services will work with the Fraser Valley Regional District to determine how the petition will be administered. To qualify, we need signatures from at least 51 percent of property owners, representing 51 percent of the total assessed value within the proposed boundaries. With 412 PIDs identified so far, a successful petition campaign will require 207 signatures. The total value of all of the properties located within the proposed boundaries is estimated to be $212,382,500. This means that a successful petition campaign will require the agreement of titleholders with total assessed PID values that reach an estimated $106,191,251. *These totals must still be confirmed
- Larch Business Services will collect letters of support from local businesses, community organizations, and government partners, then submit the complete application package to the Province of British Columbia.
- Provincial Review & Decision (Late 2025 – Early 2026)
Following petition certification, the Province of British Columbia will review our application. We hope to receive formal approval by early 2026, paving the way for the Hemlock Valley Resort Association’s incorporation, board elections, and the launch of its first program year.
YOUR PARTICIPATION MATTERS
This process is your opportunity—the only one in our community’s history—to directly influence how thousands of MRDT dollars, assessments, and unrealized grants are invested back into our mountain, and how those investments will improve the overall quality of life in Hemlock Valley far into the future. A well-crafted HVRA will be dedicated to delivering:
- Upgraded, illuminated, and accessible trails—complete with interpretive signage honouring Sts’ailes history and culture.
- Village beautification and public parks—free, year-round gathering spaces by our waterways and open spaces.
- Consistent, community-driven funding for infrastructure, marketing, and special events.
- Contractual commitments from the Resort Operator, ensuring they contribute their fair share—year after year.
Your feedback during this summer’s engagement sessions will help shape the bylaws, board composition, and fee schedules that will govern the HVRA. Deanne will send out invitations and other important announcements regarding the upcoming webinars and in-resort open house. Titleholder and stakeholder registration details will be posted on the new HVRA website and circulated by email and, whenever possible, by Canada Post. Please, mark your calendars with the dates provided. You won’t want to miss these important engagements!
Together, we have the potential to transform these built-up feelings of detachment and missed opportunities into a revitalized partnership that promises to share in this mountain’s timely success. Thank you for your continued interest and support in this effort. Deanne Steven, Terry Pratt, Ralph Berezan, and I, look forward to working with each of you as we strive to build a well-funded and equitably represented resort association that secures a vibrant, sustainable future for Hemlock Valley homeowners, visitors and Sasquatch Mountain Resort.
Warm regards,
Jason Vance
Vice President, Hemlock Valley Homeowners Association