A Local Wave at Fame

Kamloops This Week August 13 2004

Arthur Malkoske stands in front of his crystalline pool, arms spread wide as though he's about to embrace the city of Kamloops that pans out before him.

It's in this pose, said the owner of the Hospitality Inn on Columbia Street, that Scott Stapp stood just a few days before.

Stapp, the former lead singer of Creed, arrived at Malkoske's hotel Saturday afternoon. He and his film crew had spent the past couple of days filming Stapp's latest solo video in the burned-out area surrounding Barriere and McLure.

"They were covered in soot when they got here," but immediately, he said, the film crew got to work transforming the pool and deck. Malkoske has no idea why they chose his pool for the video. While it's arguably got one of the best views in the city, that view wasn't even utilized.

The crew "blacked out the pool" by lining it with a dark plastic and then took the ladders and railings off.

"[Stapp] was standing upwards at the side and then fell backwards into the pool," where a young woman was waiting.

On one of the hottest weekends of the year, Malkoske was unsure how upset other hotel guests would be when they heard the pool would be occupied for the day.

Most, he said, were more than happy to watch the proceedings.

"We had a [baseball] team in here from Washington State. There were about 50 people sitting in the grass beside the pool watching and clapping at what was going on."

Malkoske's got no idea when the video will air, but he's certain that his pool - which is right now tucked behind the hotel out of public view - will no longer be the city's best-kept secret.

.Danna Johnson