UPDATE TO OUR MEMBERS
April 13, 2023
Re: Cascade Skyline Gondola Project – Bridal Falls
Dear Members,
We are writing you today to give you an update on the progress being made with our advocacy working group and our ongoing discussions with the proponents of the Cascade Skyline Gondola Project, located in Bridal Falls BC.
Since September 2022, our working group has been in discussions with the Cascade Skyline Gondola proponent to address concerns regarding their project including access to the current trails, location of proposed gates etc. To date we have been encouraged by the response from this proponent (Cascade) in that they have been willing to listen to our concerns and to come up with potential solutions.
At our last meeting with the Cascade Skyline Gondola representatives in late January, solutions were brought forward by both groups that could potentially allow for us to show our support for this project in the future.
As you may know, there is currently actually two projects being proposed in the same general area (Bridal Falls) by two different proponents, and this is causing some confusion amongst the public.
The BVMR is proposing a ski resort that also includes a proposed gondola, separate from the Cascade Skyline Gondola project (hence the confusion). We want to clarify that to date, our working group has had zero contact with this 2nd proponent (BVMR). Due to their (BVMR) lack of consultation with any outdoor recreation user groups that could be potentially affected by their application, we challenge their unfounded claims of 80% public support as per their recent press release.
At this time, we are strongly opposed to this BVMR project in its current proposed form as it would effectively close down a large part (if not all) of the riding area and access to trails within the Chipmunk Creek watershed and beyond. We hope that the BVMR will begin engagement with local communities and user groups to seek solutions and will ask the Provincial Government not to provide any consideration for this project until this occurs.
From our meetings with the proponents of the Cascade Skyline Gondola we believe we are close to reaching a solution that is acceptable for us to support the project. We are awaiting some final details and communications from them and will share as soon as these are received.
We are doing our best to represent your voice as our members on the impact one or both of these projects may have on our outdoor recreation access and motorized sport. We encourage you to research both projects to understand the impacts of each and should you have any questions or wish to share your feedback or concerns please reach out to us!
Yours truly,
Chris D’Silva, President
ATVBC Quad Riders Association of BC
