Don Sharpe, Mount Washington Alpine Resort’s Director of Business Operations and Marketing, has been named Assistant Chef de Mission for Team BC for the Wood Buffalo 2015 Western Canada Summer Games.
Diane St-Denis, who is Executive Director of the Canada West Universities Athletic Association, is the Chef de Mission. “Diane St-Denis and Don Sharpe are both highly qualified for their newly appointed roles in Team BC, and we are fortunate to have their leadership,” Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, said.
Sharpe has extensive experience managing a large staff and multiple operations. He had a lead role directing the activities for hosting more than 200 Olympic athletes prior to the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics.
As a co-founder of the Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society he has spearheaded initiatives to support emerging high performance athletes.
“I am very excited to join Team BC on its journey to the Western Canada Summer Games,” Sharpe said. “I have a passion for sport and its impact on youth and our communities. I am looking forward to assisting in getting outstanding results and in putting together a great team.”
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Cassie Sharpe, Don Sharpe’s daughter, has been named to the Canadian National Halfpipe Team. Congratulations Cassie!
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Don Sharpe’s son, Darcy Sharpe, finished fourth overall in the World Snowboard Tour this season. Congratulations Darcy!
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RESORT STAFF CHANGES
Eugene Chung, who has worked at Mount Washington Alpine Resort for 14 years, will gain a new toque this year. Chung, who is probably as well known for his blog at www. mountwashington.ca as he is in his role as Tube Park Supervisor, will take over as Events Co-ordinator.
Zoe Cooper is also taking on new responsibilities at the Resort. Cooper, who of late worked with the Safe Slopes Department, moves into the vacant Marketing Co-ordinator’s job.
A new Tube Park Supervisor and Safe Slopes Department replacement will be hired in time for next winter, said Don Sharpe, Resort Director of Business Relations and Marketing.
Christine Reynolds has wrapped up her first winter as the Food and Beverage Manager. She took over from Colleen Reitsma last year. Reynolds is part of the team Director of Hospitality Operations Tim Defert has assembled at the Resort.
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Vancouver Island Society of Adaptive Snowsports (VISAS) team had a good showing at the Western Canadian Para Alpine Championships on Panorama Mountain in March. It was the farthest the team had ever travelled to compete.
Three VISAS racers made the podium: Melle Pemble won gold in slalom and gold in GS; Joe Grubweiser won silver in both slalom and GS; and Ron Greenhorn won bronze in both events. Bazz Petropoulos, VISAS’ snowboard racer, completed the GS on a challenging course.
For more on VISAS’ programs, visit their website at www.visasweb.ca.
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Fans of the Tube Park at Mount Washington can expect to see some tweaking on the runs this summer, based on things learned over the winter. The expanded tube park was moved to its new location last year. Grounds crews will also continue with summer grooming on various other runs.
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Evan Luksay of Brooklyn Elementary in Comox won an Honour medal at the Regional Heritage Fair hosted by the Alberni Valley Museum in Port Alberni in May, for his exhibit on the history of Mount Washington Alpine Resort. His was one of two exhibits featuring the Resort. Luksay is a member of Strathcona Nordics Ski Club.
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Strathcona Wilderness Institute brought the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival to Courtenay on March 28, the only Island stop on the “Best of the Fest” tour. The premier mountain film fest of the spring season screened winning films ranging from climbing, skiing, trekking, surfing, biking and environmental themes. It was a first for the SWI, which is spending 2014 expanding its outreach and fundraising initiatives.