As the hotel gardener I was lucky to have had the opportunity to chat with the new kids in town as they began the changeover from The Kuskanax Lodge to the K2 Rotor Lodge.
The whole crew impressed me as really positive, optimistic, friendly young people. It was a surprise for me to find out that they are world famous skiers and snowboarders, including Olympians. These are just fun kids with no pretentions or arrogance and an abundance of youthful exuberance. They were polite and respectful to me and I felt included in their endeavour.
Nakusp is a beautiful little town that is currently struggling to find a more versatile economy in order to keep young people here. On the horizon appears a company of young, worldly, influential people with a sound plan and the financial means to bring in a relatively clean recreational industry.
This industry will probably draw more young, energetic people who may elect to stay to create their own related clean businesses and raise families. Isn’t that just what we want?
I was surprised when I heard some negative attitudes about these individuals and this new enterprise coming to town. Some opinions had been formed without having met the K2 people and seemed to me to be based on fear.
Fear of what I’m not sure. It’s reasonable that residents who have lived here through the great betrayal of the flooding of the river would feel apprehension at any new proposal.
Whatever the reasons for negative attitudes they have the power of self-fulfillment. They can result in Nakusp shooting itself in the foot, however geographically beautiful that foot may be.
Or, like many in the community, we can choose to embrace this change and the myriad possibilities it can bring.
Linda Dixon
Nakusp, B.C.