A suggestion to move the Summer Stomp and Burnout event more into the shoulder season gained no traction with district council.
Though the Sicamous and District Chamber of Commerce was conducting a survey about the annual motorcycle event (survey now closed), Best Western Sicamous Inn owners Tim and Loretta Corless opted to submit their feedback on the event, in letter form, to the chamber and the District of Sicamous.
Before speaking to this year’s Stomp, the Corless’ share their experience with the event in 2014. They note the event had a negative impact on business, “with quite a bit of damage occurring as well as physical altercations and threats to our staff.”
“Most of the challenge arose from a large group booking that turned out to be a well-known motorcycle club,” state the Corless’. “Bikes were roaring back at all hours of the night and we had several complaints from guests.”
The Corless’ state they lost business as a result of the 2014 event.
For this year’s Stomp, the Corless’ say they did things differently, not taking any group bookings and also closing online bookings.
“We had very few problems this year,” they write. “However, it is important to note that we were more than half full with travellers not attending the Stomp, and that we had to turn way at least an additional 20 to 40 rooms of travellers.”
The Corless’ note the Stomp occurs during the hotel’s peak season, and does not create any additional revenue for the hotel.
“Should the festival be in the shoulder seasons, one might be able to argue that additional business is being brought into Sicamous,” state the couple. “As it is right now, it actually costs us much more as we bring on additional staff for security and assistance.”
The Corless’ also express their concern with hosting an event that brings “notorious motorcycle clubs” to Sicamous.
“We were told, by guests attending the event, that there were booths at the Stomp grounds selling gang-related merchandise. It raises the question if this is the type of groups we want to welcome into our town?”
This last question went unanswered when council commented on the Corless’ letter during its Aug. 12 regular meeting. As for moving the event into the shoulder season, Coun. Todd Kyllo argued in favour of leaving things be, stating the Stomp has been held on the same weekend for more than 22 years.
“I understand what they’re saying… but we have to promote through July and August, when people are on their holidays,” said Kyllo. “That’s when their vacations are. The houseboats that I rent out get used in July and August. They don’t get used in September, October or November. Why? Because that’s when people are on their vacation.”
Coun. Colleen Anderson said she agreed with some of the points raised in the letter, that “there are some issues around the event.” She suggested waiting for the results of the chamber’s survey.
“Once all that comes back and is compiled, I think we’ll have a better idea of the value that it has, and maybe it’s a matter of making it more days or… attach a fair to it. Just make it bigger and better maybe, as opposed to get rid of it. There are some concerns.”
Coun. Gord Bushell noted there were some co-ordination issues this year with the event, and suggested the district could work with Stomp organizer Steve Hammer to help make it better.
“It’s tough to do, but I think he needs a little bit more help from the community,” said Bushell, noting the Stomp has one more year to use the dog park before having to reapply.
Mayor Terry Rysz said the Stomp and burnout events are important to the community. However, he said the district will see what the survey has to say, and then maybe sit down with the Stomp committee and discuss what might be done.
“I do think that we can make it better and a more active event, and I think we need to bring in a little more family oriented stuff to it… That discussion will be taking place in the next six months,” said Rysz.