All,
Bill and Annie sent the following out to organizers of trips to God's Pocket. I've asked and received their permission to repost it in its entirety:
A tragic loss (IMHO) if no buyer appears
Bill and Annie sent the following out to organizers of trips to God's Pocket. I've asked and received their permission to repost it in its entirety:
To our Valued Guests and Friends.
Changes are coming to God’s Pocket.
Over the last few years, most of you have heard us speak about our situation here at God’s
Pocket regarding our existing lease, and the “limbo” that has created for us. (The First Nations
Bands and the Provincial Government are in negotiations as to who actually has title for a vast
amount of land in this part of the world, including God’s Pocket.) At this time, we find ourselves
at a critical moment with health challenges, business, family obligations and have settled on a
course of action. We wanted to share this news with you as soon as we could, and, as always,
we appreciate your devotion to and interest in God’s Pocket and its future.
What does this mean for you?
First, God’s Pocket is for sale. We are not listing it with a real estate agent, but rather making
it known to all who have spent time here as prospective buyers. As it stands, there are almost
four full years of lease remaining. While the 30-year lease application process continues, we
also believe it is possible to secure a 5 or 7-year lease (which other businesses have done)
which we believe would make the purchase much more attractive (extending the life of the lease
until 2025 or 2027). As of today, we are sold out for 2017; 70% booked for 2018, 40% for 2019
and 30% for 2020. We are aware of one party with interest in a potential purchase; we invite
others to consider the opportunity and to let us know as well.
Second, If a sale is not pending by Aug 1, 2017, we will only commit to a limited amount
of future bookings and will be canceling others. Currently all bookings through July 2017 will
not change. (We do not plan to commit based on whose trip it is – we will look strictly at our
calendar and our ability to host the sort of experience you have come to expect at God’s
Pocket.) However Bill is on a wait list for Knee replacement surgery and could cancel at a
moments notice. He has an appointment with his surgeon on May 26th, and will have more
information at that time as to what the Summer/Fall will look like.
To be very explicit, what this means is that we may cancel your booking in the second half of
2017, or in 2018 through 2020. A full-refund will be quickly forthcoming, of course, with our
deepest regret for your disappointment. We also have no idea whether a new owner will simply
take our bookings and proceed but we imagine that as the most likely possibility. We will
continue taking deposits for future trips anticipating a long future for God’s Pocket.
We have loved owning God’s Pocket, hosting you in this special and remarkable part of the
world; we have been honoured to become a part of your lives and, in many cases, to become
friends. It has been a privilege.
We will keep you informed as this transition occurs. In the meantime, we welcome any
expressions of genuine interest in the purchase of God’s Pocket.
With warm regards,
Bill and Annie
A tragic loss (IMHO) if no buyer appears