Blackcomb Whistler to see three-phase expansion
May 3, 2016
By
CCE
Whistler Village, B.C. Photo: Andrew Doran Photography/andrewdoran.com
With global warming in sight, the company that owns the Blackcomb Whistler resort in B.C. has announced major expansion plans.
Whistler Blackcomb Holdings intends to invest $345 million in three phases to expand its Rocky Mountain development over the next few years. The “Renaissance” developments will include more year-round facilities, reducing the resort’s reliance on winter ski tourists.
First to be built would be a year-round indoor water adventure centre at Blackcomb’s upper base. Envisioned as a 163,000-sq. ft. facility, the “Watershed” would have waterslides, deep water surf simulators, cliff jumping, wave pools, etc.
The $90-$100-million investment in phase 1 will also include a suspension bridge and viewing platforms at the peak of Whistler Mountain. There will be a year-round mountain coaster ride, and expanded bike and walking trails.
In phase 2 the company plans to spend up to $115-million, including on a new day lodge and snow school within the Watershed, as well as a two-storey parking complex and townhomes. In this stage the company will also lay down the infrastructure for the $150-million phase 3, which will involve a major revitalization of Blackcomb’s base area in the Upper village, as well as a luxury housing development.
The plans are all subject to approvals from both the municipalities and the province, as well as dependent on consultations with the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations. The company is proposing a business partnership with the First Nations.
The company expects that the construction for the first two phases will be four to five years.
Another large mountain development recently received its environmental assessment approvals from the province, albeit with 40 conditions. The Garibaldi at Squamish resort by Aquilini Developments is a $3.5 billion project on 668-hectares of crown land. Plans are for a village that could accommodate 22,000 people in hotels and housing.
To read the Whistler Blackcomb announcement, click here.
