Field British Columbia - The Fireweed Hostel in Field were informed that they cannot renew their land lease with Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), and they have been forced to close after 14 years of business.
 
The lease expires 28 Jun 2020.
 
Owner/Operator of the Fireweed Hostel in Field, Craig Chapman, says he regrets it has to close.
 
"This is bad for the community of Field."
 
Chapman, who started the hostel in 2006, said when he took on the lease 14 years ago, they originally wanted to create something that was quality and high-end but still affordable for Canadians who wanted to adventure.
 
"People were always blown away by the quality of the building when they walked in. Every summer we were booked solid with hikers on the great divide trail, and in the winter we were booked out with groups of ice climbers, and back-country skiers. We had a long tradition of yoga teachers visiting to give classes. Every guest was always coming back with an adventure story. During peak seasons, and during the summer time, we would turn away 100 people every day," said Chapman.
 
He was told CP said the reason they were ending the lease was because they wanted the land to use it for rail purposes.
 
"They are a closed box in terms of the information they give us. They have been difficult to work with. They can pretty much do what they want without much consequences. They are shareholder driven. We have tried to negotiate, but unfortunately we have to close. I signed the lease, I don't regret the resources, time, and labor we put into the building. We have heard from lots of guests who stayed over the years, and they are saddened also."
 
The Parks Canada Field Community Plan says that CP owns 25 to 30 percent of the town.
 
"CP land accounts for almost one third of Field's total area. The vision for Field must include the entire village, including the land occupied by CP. The wise use of this land can make a major contribution to the quality of life for residents and to the village's ability to provide essential services for visitors," Parks Canada Field Community Plan states on page 7.
 
Chapman added that in this situation CP will walk away with profit.
 
"What the community needs is going to be sacrificed for their profit."
 
Andrew Stiles, a patron of the Fireweed Hostel in Field, said he is also sad to see the community asset close.
 
"This community asset serves countless travellers as a gateway to Yoho, a tradition begun by CP and enjoyed by successive generations to this very day. My great grand parents were station agents at Sliver City in Banff, and my parents met on a train enroute to hike in Yoho. At the heart of your company is a story of nation building. Your service to communities is indispensable. If the greatest of Canadian assets, good will and mutual respect, remain first and foremost in all our transactions, I believe we will maximize our opportunities and realize a bright future. For the past 14 years, my family has hosted dozens of memorable weekends thanks to the hospitality of Craig Chapman at Fireweed, a tradition we share with many, and would be ever so grateful if a way could be made for it to continue. Sharing a world class destination like Yoho National Park is what Fireweed has made possible for thousands, and one I believe would be the best possible future of that building and land. My ask is to please use your company's enormous resources and creativity to find a way to continue leasing that land to Craig Chapman. Such a move would buy good will capital amongst local residences and continue the Canadian tradition of affordable accommodation for the next generation of travelers," Stiles wrote in a letter to CP last week.
 
Marie Conboy.