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Council Briefs: Kadenwood gondola ready to ride in 2008

Whistler-Blackcomb’s newest gondola, connecting Creekside with Kadenwood Estate Homes, is en route to be up-and-ready for next winter’s ski season.

Whistler-Blackcomb’s newest gondola, connecting Creekside with Kadenwood Estate Homes, is en route to be up-and-ready for next winter’s ski season.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, Doug Forseth, senior vice president of operations for Whistler-Blackcomb, described the proposed location of the future gondola, situated on the edge of Big Timber Park.

The new $3.5 million gondola will run along the right side of the Creekside Gondola, shouldering the Peak to Creek run. According to Forsyth, there are no old growth trees in this area.

A total of three towers will be built to support the gondola: two will be next to the existing roadway, and the third will be flown into site, similar to what Whistler-Blackcomb did when constructing the Symphony Chair.

Cascade Environmental Resource Group has conducted a preliminary environmental assessment of the area and deemed that the gondola would not likely have a huge effect.

Forseth added that Whistler-Blackcomb is considering turning the terrain at the top of the proposed gondola into a learning area for kids, which could be used during poor snow years.

 

Holborn saga wrapped up

Two decades after plans to build a world-class tennis facility in Whistler were first hatched, the project is almost ready to begin re-construction.

On Tuesday, council gave third reading to three bylaws crucial to get the Holborn redevelopment project off the ground, including a phased development agreement that staff has refined considerably since it was presented a year ago.

“We have ended up with a fantastic project,” said a beaming acting mayor Gord McKeever.

Bob McPherson, general manager of community life, also extended his thanks to the Holborn group, adding “as we got to the last little bit, it seemed more like a partnership between the municipality and Holborn.”

Councillor Ralph Forsyth said, “It has been long and confusing and I am happy to see it going.”

He added: “Bare in mind, we will assume ownership of another large piece of infrastructure in the village and we will be responsible for the maintenance costs of that.”

Construction on the site, which is located across from Marketplace Square at the end of Northlands Boulevard, will begin after the Winter Games in 2010. The development will include indoor and outdoor tennis courts and a seniors housing complex, both to be completed by 2016.

 

Sea to Sky Trail moves along

Whistler’s portion of the Sea to Sky Trail route has been announced, and plans are in place to get the south section of trail built by 2009.

The bike trail will snake from Whistler Village to Brandywine Falls along both existing and new routes. Dave Patterson, manager of park operations for the municipality, described the trail as similar to the Molly Hogan trail through Lost Lake Park.

South of Function Junction, the trail will run along a section near the previous landfill and Cheakamus River. It will connect to bike routes that have already been built, leading to Sugar Cube Hill.

From there, the trail will lead through the CalCheak forest recreation site, across the railroad tracks to Brandywine Falls.

“It is really exciting,” said Patterson. “There are really gorgeous views and it will be a really amazing route once it is done.”

The District of Squamish and RMOW are working to build portions of the trail between the two towns by the end of 2009. Each municipality is responsible for the construction within their boundaries, and Whistler has allocated $758,950 for this project.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District is applying to register the Sea to Sky Trail as part of the Trans Canada Trail Network.

According to Frank Savage, RMOW planner, having the Sea to Sky Trail as part of this network will bring international exposure to the project, as well as the potential for corporate sponsorship.

The Trans Canada Trail includes more than 10,000 km of trail between St. John’s, Newfoundland and Victoria, B.C.

The trail, when completed, will be a multi-use trail spanning the corridor. It will start at the waterfront in Squamish and wind its way north for 190 km through Whistler, Pemberton, Mount Currie and D’Arcy to Anderson Lake.

 

Cuts made to Fee for Service Agreements

Whistler non-profit organizations are already feeling the pinch of this year’s tight budget, with the amount of money dished out in Fee for Service Agreements reduced for 2008.

Whistler Museums and Archives received $58,000 this year, down from the $80,000 they received in 2007. Whistler Arts Council got $164,300 this year, down from $174,000 in 2007. Maurice Young Millennium Place also saw a slight decrease, receiving at $212,000 this year.

Whistler Animals Galore received $50,000 this year, on par with their grant last year. However, WAG took a hit in 2007 when their fee for service agreement was reduced by $10,000.

According to Lisa Landry, manager of fiscal planning for the municipality, the cuts were made at an equal level across the board.