More than 100 people attended an information meeting June 6 on the resort proposed by Valemount Glacier Destinations Ltd. (VGD)
The company, formed last year, received an interim agreement from the province this winter, and is now developing a resort master plan.
Numerous maps were on display showing where and how the development might occur. Tommaso Oberti, who is heading up the design with his father under Pheidias Project Management Corp, explained that the exact plans for the resort are not finalized until the resort master plan is done.
Oberti says one change they are considering is pushing up the lift that reaches the Valemount airport to one of the first phases, rather than later on.
In addition to Oberti, VGD board member Mike Leahy was in attendance, as well as numerous government representatives.
Resort Branch senior manager Bill Hunter gave a presentation on the process of provincial government approval. Regional District of Fraser-Fort George manager Terry McEachen talked about how the regional district would liaise with the other parties, especially in terms of transferring that area to the Village limits, out of the regional district.
Braden Hutchins, deputy corporate officer at the Village of Valemount discussed some of the steps the Village plans to take to manage the project so it is in the best interests of residents.
Oberti, who is also on the board of VGD, says financing for the current planning stage is secured. A new investor or investors would have to step in for the actual construction and/or management. He notes that the VGD board of directors may handle the development of the resort or may step away, depending on the wishes of the final investors.
The company cannot secure investors until the resort master plan has been approved by the Province, but Oberti says they already have interest from investors in the project.
The design and scope of the plan will be finalized in the resort master plan. Everything down to the dÔ©cor will be spelled out in the plan, leaving little room for changes when the investor comes into the equation, unless more government approvals are sought, he says.
By: Laura Keil
