
A celebration of life for the late Mayor of Sun Peaks, Al Raine, is taking place today in the Village. It will run from 4:00 to 6:00 at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel.
Sun Peaks Chief Administrative Officer Deanna Campbell says his memorial – whom late wife Nancy Greene-Raine, wants to keep ‘light’ – says people from different walks of life are attending the event this afternoon.
“Many different people in many different contexts. I knew him as the first and only mayor of sun peaks. Other people knew him as a ski coach and a ski icon. So I think bringing all of those people together in one room to share stories of him and honor his life.”
Campbell, says the creation of Sun Peaks as the first-ever Mountain Resort Village is something that is going to keep his legacy alive for years to come. “It’s really, really important event that would not have come to fruition if it wasn’t for him. He was on the original incorporation committee. And obviously, of course, ended up being our first elected, and only mayor, so I really think that that is is his legacy. The success of Sun peaks becoming a municipality.”
Al Raine was the only Mayor of Sun Peaks and is credited with helping guide the Mountain Resort Municipality into existence.
He was one of the first leaders in Whistler when it became Canada’s first-ever Resort Municipality.
Raine died a month ago after being diagnosed with a rare form of ALS.