Experiences Boundless in BC's Okanagan
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inside Bellstar’s Ed A B.C. experience Romanowksi beckons just a few hours reflects on B.C.’s away in the Kootenay 5 ‘Super, Natural’ 13 Rockies region. transformation. is a special publication of the Calgary Herald Wine tourism, world- The west coast of B.C. Special Projects Manager: class golf and outdoor and Vancouver Island Barb Livingstone adventure invite visitors are home to two great 403-235-7339 8 to the Okanagan. 21 cities: Vancouver and [email protected] Victoria. Project co-ordinator: Jennifer Worley A real estate purchase For foodies and wine Cover photo: Ed Romanowski, in B.C. is often the aficionados, B.C. yields president and founder of Bellstar byproduct of several an incredible bounty. Hotels & Resorts. 10 memorable vacations 22 Photo: Gavin Young in the province. ADVERTISING FEATURE Lure of links, views draw buyers to Fairwinds n acclaimed golf course, incred- have retired and have children and grand- “I think the weather is a strong fac- ible views of the Strait of Georgia children visiting. And some are buying tor as to why people would move out Aand some of Vancouver Island’s their lot now and waiting a few years, here,” she says, adding some Fairwinds most popular recreation destinations: All building when they’re ready.” residents choose to set up a residence these are virtually on your doorstep at Fully serviced lots in the Bonnington down south for snowbirding purposes, Fairwinds Community & Resort. Ridge and Heights neighbourhoods start while enjoying Fairwinds and the Island Fairwinds is a 526-hectare (1,300-acre) at $159,000 and average 0.12 hectares during the summer — although there are golf community located halfway between (one-third of an acre), including some plenty of reasons to live at Fairwinds Nanaimo and Parksville, with more than with golf course frontage and ocean full-time, too. 700 homes built so far, and plans for sev- views, Karakochuk says. Only five lots “Our residents love the fact they’re eral future phases yet to come. remain. so close to the ocean, and they love The community surrounds an 18-hole “We provide buyers with a list of rec- the parkland around Fairwinds,” Les Furber-designed golf course. That — ommended builders in the area.” Karakochuk says. along with its 20,000-sq.-ft. fitness cen- Meanwhile, Rockcliffe Park features Residents have easy access to the tre with an indoor pool, gym and tennis bareland strata luxury patio homes rang- shopping and services in the Nanaimo- court; quick access to the Strait; some 20 ing from 1,600 to 2,300 square feet. Parksville region. The golf course kilometres of hiking trails; and a working About half of the 26 homes are still avail- offers a restaurant and lounge with marina, to boot — has made Fairwinds able, Karakochuk says. a spacious deck overlooking the golf the superior lifestyle choice for empty The coast of the Strait of Georgia is course. The marina is already in place, nesters and those looking for a quality renowned for its moderate year-round and future plans call for the develop- place to retire to, says Kyla Karakochuk, climate. Indeed, the stories you’ve heard ment of a seaside village with shop- assistant manager for marketing and that it’s possible to ski in the morning ping and services, Karakochuk says. communications. and golf in the afternoon on the Island If that isn’t enough, Nanaimo offers “We still have residents who work full are true. Karakochuk often sees interest direct ferry and plane service to time based at Fairwinds,” she says, adding from Calgarians inspired to find a warm- Vancouver, and the drive to Victoria is Fairwinds is considered a mature commu- er climate (or, at least, more predictable one of the most scenic in B.C. nity, perfect for the 45-plus homeowner. weather) after enduring yet another For more information, visit fairwinds.ca “We also see a lot of empty nesters who spring Alberta blizzard. or call 1-866-468-5957. 04 / DISCOVER B.C. / June 9, 2012 June 9, 2012 /KOOTENAY ROCKIES /05 dreamsfield of An Albertan in B.C.’s land of endless summer, Ed Romanowski is one of Western Canada’s premier tourism entrepreneurs, helping transform the south Okanagan into a high-end, year-round destination By Joel Schlesinger Photographs courtesy Bellstar Hotels & Resorts f you build it, they will come. It’s a well-known motto from the 1980’s baseball film Field of Dreams, but it could Ijust as easily refer to British Columbia’s tourism industry over the last two decades. While the “Super, Natural” province has long been known for its mountains and pristine coastline, it’s more recently evolved into a favourite destination for global adventure-seekers, food and wine aficionados and savvy real estate investors. Today, B.C. is an increasingly more sophisticated and diverse vacation playground — from golfing along the coast to sipping wine with a view of vineyards set tourist destinations in the province. among Canada’s only desert. “For Albertans and Western Canadians, No one is more familiar with the what makes the south Okanagan so different province’s metamorphosis than Ed is it’s truly a desert environment,” he Romanowski, the Calgary-based president says about the region, which can boast a and CEO of Bellstar Hotel and Resorts, seemingly endless summer climate. which develops and manages resorts Because of its desert-like climate, the throughout B.C. and Alberta. region has become a centre for viticulture When it comes to tourism in Western in B.C. where more grape varietals can Canada, Romanowski is “Mr. Tourism.” be grown due to the higher average After all, he has been involved in the industry temperature and longer season. in one way or another for more than three But what has really helped bring Osoyoos decades, having founded Royal Tours, which and surrounding regions into the forefront specialized in vacations to West Edmonton — or for that matter any sought-after tourist Mall, in the 1980s and 1990s. destination in B.C. — has been forward- He was also behind the Waterton Lakes looking policies put in place by the provincial Lodge in Waterton Lakes National Park, the and local governments, says Romanowski. last accommodation development allowed in See TOURISM, Page 6 the national park. Of late, Romanowski’s focus has been on — Courtesy Bellstar Hotels & Resorts B.C.’s interior. He has been instrumental in Main photo: Bellstar’s Canyon Desert Resort will be the first helping turn Osoyoos, a once overlooked fully integrated destination resort in the Oliver area. Above: part of southern B.C., into one of the hottest Bellstar president, CEO and founder Ed Romanowski. 06 / DISCOVER B.C. / June 9, 2012 — Calgary Herald Archive Bellstar founder Ed Romanowski with Chief Clarence Louie at the Canyon Desert ground breaking in 2011. TOURISM, From Page 5 “B.C. has led developing tourism as an That vision turned out to be much industry in Canada,” says Romanowski. more ambitious than planned. Today, “The big change in British Columbia the Nk’Mip Resort includes Spirit Ridge was the government and businesses Vineyard Resort and Spa, the Nk’Mip recognizing tourism is one of the main Desert Cultural Centre, Nk’Mip Cellars parts of its economy.” and Sonora Dunes Golf Course. On average, the industry generates Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa more than $10 billion in revenues annu- now has more than 200 units — a mix of ally and accounts for about $6 billion a hotel-style lodgings and villas that fea- year in GDP. ture striking adobe-style architecture. Romanowski admittedly got involved To boot, the Oliver and Osoyoos re- in the B.C. tourism industry somewhat gion has become a hot destination for late in the game. By early 2000, tourism epicurean and wine delights. development was already in high gear in “Osoyoos and Oliver are the self- places such as Kelowna, Fernie, Vancou- declared wine capital in Canada,” says ver Island and Whistler. Romanowski. “Most of the viticulture Romanowski did, however, find a tour- for the Canadian wine industry is grown ism sweet spot ready for development south of Penticton.” in Osoyoos. While the region has always In Oliver, the band and Bellstar are been renowned for its climate, in 2000 it joining together for its second project, lacked the resorts to bring the tourists. Canyon Desert, a golf villa community “We were looking for a location in the around an existing golf course. Okanagan Valley that we could actually Today, Osoyoos boasts three, four-star- sink our teeth into and develop a resort,” plus resorts, including Watermark Beach Romanowski says. Resort and the Walnut Beach Resort. At the time, the Nk’Mip First Nation, “They’re all full-service resorts that are which owned a substantial amount of top-end and rated as some of the best in land in the area, was just embarking British Columbia,” says Romanowski. on an economic development plan that Indeed, B.C.’s southern interior has largely revolved around tourism. come of age, offering an experience that Romanowski and his Bellstar team im- is a match for any wine tourism region mediately hit it off with Nk’Mip Chief in the world, he adds. Clarence Louie and the band’s tribal “In the Okanagan, the vineyards are council. right adjacent to beautiful, large, warm “He had a great vision and we knew lakes,” says Romanowski, comparing we could work with him,” Romanowski to wine regions like the Napa Valley in says. California and Tuscany in Italy. “We took their initial idea to create 50 “It’s not fair to say it’s better.