SLNC Welcomes new Head Coach: Jacqueline Akerman

| Wendy Shannon

PRESS RELEASE: August 26, 2021

We are excited to introduce Jacqueline Akerman as the new Head Coach for Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.

Having lived in the Ottawa Region for most of her working career to date, she made the move out west just weeks ago to take up residence in Canmore at the National Training Centre and Head Office of Biathlon Canada. After some headhunting by former coach Eric de Nys, Jacqueline agreed to a conversation with our General Manager and the rest is history!

“From our first conversation and throughout the interview process, I just felt as though Jacqueline was immediately the right person for the job. Her incredible passion and excitement for skiing, knowledge of our sport, and connection to not only the XC ski community but also the Biathlon community made complete sense to bring her on board as the new leader of our Programs Team”, said Troy Hudson. “Jacqueline will be starting her new position here in October so we have some time to bring her up to speed through our Programs Advisory Team to be ready for winter and our first competition here, on Dec 4-5th at the Canada Cup”

Jacqueline (Jacq) stated, “I am incredibly pleased to join the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club Family! I see an amazing community full of support, skill, and passion. SLNC has an exceptional amount of enthusiasm, talent, vision, and momentum. I am proud to be chosen to be part of the team, and I look forward to continuing to build from the foundation of so many before me. I can’t wait to meet you all and put on that plaid for the very first time!”   

Board Representative and Programs Director Cyndy Flores also had some kind words following our interview process. “The SLNC BOD is excited to welcome Jacqueline and her partner Annik to the Sovereign family. The BOD was very impressed with her qualifications and coaching philosophy and unanimously approved the offer to Jacqueline.  Choosing a Head Coach for our Club is one of the biggest decisions we can make as a BOD and we truly feel Jacqueline is the right coach that will help guide the sports development here at our club and fulfill our strategic objectives of growing competitive and non-competitive programs for our members and families.”

We are looking forward to an amazing winter at Sovereign Lake! With Jacqueline at the helm, we now have a complete Programs Advisory Team. She is joined by Mike Bell (Master’s Lead Coach), Andrew Casey (Skill Development Lead Coach), and Lynn Algra (Biathlon Coach).

Bring on the snow!

SLNC Bids Farewell to Head Coach Eric de Nys

| Wendy Shannon
On behalf of the Sovereign Lake Board, we would like to congratulate Eric De Nys on his new position as Next-Gen Coach with Nordic Canada. Eric is an exceptional coach and we have been fortunate to have experienced his knowledge, energy, and skills these past four years at SLNC.

As the SLNC Head Coach, Eric’s vision and passion has elevated our skiers and coaches at all levels, we have seen our Programs number grow year after year and our Nordic community has expanded.  We are a better Nordic Club because of Eric.

Eric will have a lasting impact on SLNC and will now go on to create an outstanding program as Nordiq Canada’s Next Gen coach, something that will benefit many skiers and coaches across Canada.  Nordiq Canada and all the Canadian U23 and Juniors are lucky to have his coaching talent.

You will be sadly missed at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, and we are appreciative of your time with us.
We wish you all the best in your career and will see you on the trails.

The Sovereign Lake Board of Directors and Management Team

Note From Coach Eric
Greetings and NOT goodbye to my Sovereign Family.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the last four years with the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.  I have had the opportunity to work with a talented, motivated, and dedicated group of athletes supported by an amazing parent group and an equally dedicated group of coaches.  It is because of all your efforts that we have been able to build the Sovereign Lake programs into what it is today.

From the nervous anticipation of that first-ever race to the exhilaration of a Youth Olympic Games and representing your country, we have a lot to be proud of and I hope that in my departure I leave behind a passion for excellence, a drive to be your best and an inherent love of Nordic skiing and the outdoors we can perform it in.  There are no limits to what we can achieve; we simply must set our minds to it and consistently put in the work.

As I transition to a new job, please know that it is NOT goodbye as I will be remaining in Vernon and continue to be an advocate for Sovereign Lake.  The jacket might change but the pursuit will remain the same.  I look forward to following the continued growth of the Sovereign Lake Nordic and continue to contribute where I can.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

See you on the trails!

Eric

SLNC becomes the first Living Wage Ski Area Employer in Canada

| Wendy Shannon

For immediate release: 11 June 2021

Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, in Vernon BC, is the first ski area in Canada to signify its commitment to ending working poverty, by paying all its staff and contracted workers a Living Wage

The living wage is the hourly amount a family needs to cover basic expenses. The calculation is based on a two-parent family with two children – the most common family unit in BC – with each parent working full-time. The Living Wage for Kamloops is $15.92 an hour.

“Sovereign Lake Nordic Club is honoured to be recognized as a Living Wage Employer. In placing our employees’ health and financial stability front and centre, we help to build long-term sustainable employment opportunities for our community, while reducing training costs in this traditional high staff turnover industry. With an 80% annual return rate of our employees, it helps maintain a friendly and familiar atmosphere for our members and guests. We want to ensure that as an employer we can foster inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. By meeting and exceeding these minimum benchmarks for a living wage, we are creating a strong team more akin to a family than just a job” Troy Hudson, Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.

 

“We’re delighted that Sovereign Lake Nordic Club has come on board as a Living Wage Employer. Paying a Living Wage is good for the employer, the employee and the local community. We invite other ski areas and local employers to join the Living Wage movement,” said Anastasia French, Living Wage for Families Campaign Organizer.

 

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies. There are nearly 250 Living Wage Employers in BC, with over 25,000 employees who don’t need to worry about how they will afford rent, food, and other essentials for their family because they are guaranteed to earn a Living Wage.

Contact

Notes

  1. The Living Wage for Families Campaign annually calculates the Living Wage for communities across British Columbia. They certify employers that pay a living wage to their staff and contractors, and advocate for complementary government policies that would help families make ends meet. Their goal is for every working British Columbian to make a living wage.

SLNC Wins BC Parks Community Partner of the Year Award

| Wendy Shannon

 

PRESS RELEASE: June 1st, 2021

Sovereign Lake Nordic Club has just been named the recipient of the 2019-20 Community Partner of the Year Award by BC Parks, a recognition awarded once every two years. The Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy presented the club with the announcement earlier today. 

“BC Parks has always benefitted from the involvement of community partners to build the ongoing legacy of our parks and protected areas systems, one of the largest in North America. It is with great pleasure I am writing to inform you that you have been selected as BC Parks’ Community Partner of the Year for 2019/2020 as part of our biennial external awards program! Over the last 30 years, you have invested an incredible amount of time and energy at Silver Star Provincial Park. With genuine pride and passion, you have dedicated 14,000+ volunteer hours a year in benefit of the park and your community which shows your remarkable commitment to BC Parks. We applaud your contributions”. – The Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

 

As Sovereign Lake moves forward with major Strategic Planning Goals, including a commitment to sustainability, hosting of major races, construction of a new day lodge, and a commitment to provide living wages for all of its employees, SLNC is seeing tremendous growth and uptake in outdoor winter sports through the club. 

The Sovereign Lake Nordic Club thanks BC Parks for being recognized as BC Parks’ Community Partner of the Year for 2019 and 2020. Our partnership helps create one of the best places in North America to cross-country ski and snowshoe. By working together we provide exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for everyone. It is a place to enjoy nature, be with family and friends, and improve our overall physical and mental health. Sovereign Lake was particularly important to people’s overall health during the last 15 months of the COVID pandemic. We look forward to many more years working in collaboration with BC Parks to provide outstanding opportunities for nordic skiing and snowshoeing. – Jeff Ward – SLNC Board Chair

 

As the club prepares for the 2021-22 season, having launched season pass and program sales on June 1st, this latest announcement of achievement is a lot to be proud of. We look forward to welcoming you this coming season with new exciting events and a return to more normal operations. 

 

Season Pass and Program Registration Opens June 1st

| Wendy Shannon

We are excited to open up our 2021-22 registration season with an extra early bird discount for June only. Pricing reverts to Early Bird rates from July 1st through October 31st. If you are a 2020-21 Season Pass Holder then you already have your RFID card and all you will need to do is enter your email used last season for your login and it will automatically populate your new pass or program purchase with your existing family members or personal details.

For more information please go to the Season Pass overview and pricing page HERE.

XC Supercamps Registration Opens May 1st

| Wendy Shannon

 

Drawing over 350 Masters skiers of all abilities from around the globe each winter, XCSupercamps registration opens May 1st, 2021. With a full roster of technique development camps for all ability levels starting November 23 through January 24th, register quickly as our many camps sell out quickly. With a comprehensive refund policy, booking your ski camp is worry-free.

Register HERE

Visit www.xcsupercamps.com for more information.

 

 

 

Programs Get a Financial Boost in 2021-22

| Wendy Shannon

The Board has approved a long-term plan to strengthen programs at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club (SLNC). The Board’s work is guided by the SLNC 2018 Strategic Plan. This plan outlines five goals and within these goals, 11 objectives, with three of the five goals directly related to Club programming needs.

In January 2021, our Programs Director, the GM, and the Board identified the need to focus on these three goals of the Strategic Plan that address our long-term needs for Bunny Rabbits through to Masters programs. The group has prepared a Programs Plan that addresses how SLNC will meet the targets set forth in the Strategic Plan. This new plan will help guide the Board’s decision-making over the next three years (2021/2022 through 2023/2024).

The Plan provides much-needed staffing horsepower to grow programs, enhance the culture and community of Nordic skiing at Sovereign Lake, and create a new and engaged Programs Committee that focusing on skills development, competitions, events, and volunteers.

SLNC will accomplish this by hiring 4 key programs-dedicated positions. Our Head Coach will be supported by:

  • A new part-time Masters High Performance Coach,
  • A new part-time Biathlon Program Coach,
  • A new part-time Skill Development Program (SDP) Lead Coach to grow the program for kids ages 5 through 12, and
  • A part-time Programs Administrator will act as our program registrar and communication lead.

These new positions will be supported through a small increase in programming fees, revenue from competitions, fundraising, and directing $10 from each Season Pass sold to support Programs. This means that
every single club member is a direct supporter of the long-term growth and sustainability of our programs.

The Board is also providing a one-time contingency from our cash reserves if needed to offset shortfalls during this expansion of Programs in the 2021/2022 season.
Budgeted programs expenditures for 2021/2022 will be double what they were in 2019/2020 in support of Programs. The Head Coach position is also now being funded through the new Programs Budget Framework, a
change from past seasons.

We are excited for this new chapter of growth at Sovereign where attention has been focussed primarily on Club operations for the last number of years. We want to thank all those who helped out with the creation and implementation of this new plan. The job descriptions for these 4 new positions will be posted on the club website shortly. The plan is to fill these positions by May 15th and hold the first new Programs Committee meeting in June, to plan for the upcoming season.

Season Passes and Programs Registration open on June 1 st. All registrations will happen through the website and a notification will go out the week prior to launching sales.

Have a wonderful spring.

Your SLNC Board of Directors.

Thank You for an Amazing Season!

| Wendy Shannon

And that’s a wrap!  We are so thankful for our amazing ski community this winter. There are so many new faces, and club members skiing more than they ever have before. We know that our facility was a saving grace for our community, keeping everyone safe, spaced, and healthy. Kudos go out to our amazing staff, volunteer committees, and Board Members for keeping Sovereign open for everyone to use this season.

The yellow gate will be locked effective Sunday evening so please park in the lower parking lot if you intend to ski more days on ungroomed trails this spring. Please recognize that the lodge is closed effective April 11th and there are no inside facilities or first aid available.

We can’t wait to see you in November! Season Passes and Programs Registrations go on sale June 1st.

All the best this spring.

Troy Hudson – SLNC General Manager

Last Day Extended Hours on Sunday April 11th: 7am – 4pm

| Wendy Shannon

Our Programs skiers are planning to do solo 50/75/100 km skis on Sunday morning before the snow softens. To support the group we will be opening the lodge at 7 am and making sure that the washrooms are open by then. Many of the kids are starting at 5 am so help us cheer them on. Good luck in your year-end push and please stop by the ticket windows when you are done to say bye! It has been a great, albeit strange season.

The Road Has Been Graded!

| Wendy Shannon

Well… better late than never!

AIM Contracting has finally made it up to Sovereign Road and we have a fresh grade just in time for closing weekend. It is still not great but we will take what we can get.