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I had an opportunity last week
to review the 2007 construction plans for Revelstoke Mountain Resort as
well as a tour up the mountain with staff from Ministries of Forest,
Environment, Sport Tourism and Arts as well as City staff. We started
out at the RMR offices looking at detail designs for lifts, runs,
village layout and day lodge expansion. We toured up the mountain
starting with the condo underground parking that is now under
construction. The first building should be completed in approximately 18
months and additional development will be on-going for some years. The
protection measures that are put in place to ensure water quality for
residents in the area is very impressive.
We then headed up to the
site of the current day lodge and the work going on here will see this
building doubling in size and serving as the centre of all activities
for the upcoming ski season. Next to the day lodge is the base for the
gondola currently being installed by Leitner Poma. They are also working
on a detachable quad farther up the mountain. Of course there is a lot
more going on than just the lifts, it’s the power requirements, the
clearing and grooming of runs, getting sites ready for hotels, day
lodges, and restaurants. Needless to say the commitment in manpower,
equipment and money is major, with upwards of 50 million dollars
committed to date and a lot more needed in the near future.
As we move forward to the
future expansion of the resort and the community this is a good time to
reflect on the last 10 years of operation of Powder Springs. Myself and
Council made a special presentation to both Clyde and Jim Newsome for
their efforts in keeping skiing alive and well in Revelstoke.
Some of you will recall
the old days when we operated out of the lower day lodge and rode up 2
chair lifts to ski. The City subsidized the operation year after year as
we pursued the sale and development of the ski hill. We were fortunate
to have the Newsome’s step up to the plate and make the investments
necessary to continue the operation. Revelstoke has the oldest
continuing operating ski club in Canada, has been world famous in ski
jumping, and now has a world class destination being built in it’s
backyard. The Newsome’s have played an important role in the evolution
of skiing in Revelstoke.
Mark McKee
Mayor
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