The Talking Rock Golf Resort near Chase is days away from opening for the season, the first since last summer’s devastating Bush Creek East wildfire.

Director of Golf, Cody Bell, says while golfers will notice some damage on the outskirts of the course, the facility made it through the fire relatively unscathed.

“[Damage is] mainly restricted to the perimeter of the property, right of hole number two, four, and five, and then up near holes 13 and 14 towards the perimeter was where the extensive wildfire damage was more experienced,” Bell said.

“The fairways that are irrigated and cut acted as a fire guard, so we have a lot less damage in the interior of the course.”

A total of 85 structures on Skwla̓x te Secwepemcúl’ecw land were destroyed by the fire while 13 others were partially damaged. Structures that were damaged included the homes of Skwla̓x band members as well that of non-band members who lease lots from the Little Shuswap Lake Band.

Bell says the only structure lost on the golf course were the washrooms on the 16th tee, though he tells Radio NL there are many visual memories of the fire that still remain.

“Golfers can definitely expect to see some wildfire remains and damage around the facility as a whole,” Bell said. “Even coming down the Trans-Canada, you’ll be able to see where the wildfire crossed the highway and some new openings have occurred. We’ve done some harvesting on those perimeter holes.”

“Towards the interior of the course, there are a lot of trees still standing, so a lot of privacy that we’re known for. Our unique experience is still there.”

With golf season nearly here, Bell says the community is ready to turn the page, and get back to “normal.”

“We’ve got many of our local golfers in the are living in the North Shuswap that are ecstatic to get the golf course back open and back to golfing, and back to an old routine,” Bell said.

Opening day at the Talking Rock Golf Course is Wednesday, April 17.

Quaaout Lodge rebuild ‘on the back burner’

Speaking to Radio NL, Kukpi7 Tomma said plans to rebuild all 70 guest rooms at the Quaaout Lodge – which were destroyed in a fire in May of 2022 – will be put on the back burner for now.

He said the band is still recommitted to rebuilding the lodge, but noted the focus is currently on rebuilding the homes that were destroyed by the Bush Creek Fire.

“The rebuild team that we assembled, they are still working on it, but its ceased becoming a priority,” Tomma said. “It is ongoing, but the focus has shifted to getting our people home and then we’ll continue with the Quaaout Lodge accommodation rebuild.”

In July of last year – weeks before the Bush Creek East Wildfire ravaged his community – Tomma told Radio NL that design work on a rebuilt Quaaout Lodge was nearing completion.

Described on its website as “the pride of the Little Shuswap Band,” Tomma also said the band is looking at ways to make the facility one that is viable around the year.

While the lodge opened in 1991, according to its website, the idea of a hotel was conceived back in 1979 to spur economic development while also offering employment and long term security for the band and its members.

“Quaaout Lodge is an important part of our community,” Tomma told Radio NL in May 2022. “It’s an engine of economic development, but also the cultural heart of the community.”

The band will be holding a “Welcome Back” ceremony on April 24, where it will mark the opening of the first of four new subdivisions with temporary homes for band members.

“Our band members expressed they just want to be home and even if its just on the land, they want that,” Tomma told Radio NL in October. “It is going to be a big undertaking but it is something that we have to do.”