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Bridal Falls Gondola

Bridal Falls Gondola in Chilliwack Public Comment Period

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Public Comments are currently being accepted until January 28, 2020 for the proposed Bridal Falls Gondola in Chilliwack. Information Below:
https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/applications?id=5deea32924e1cc0021629eb6&fbclid=IwAR3QKV8IcnPiIPPODifJcwbXVYcaggWc72Tuy2AonCsEix21fGSppjTtjMc#details

Application Details:

 
This application is to add an additional parcel of Crown land to an existing Investigative Use Licence held by the Bridal Falls Gondola Corporation for the same purpose (Crown lands file 2412059). The parcel of land under this new application was intended by the proponent to be part of the original application but was not added at the time of the initial application in 2018.
This application is for the same purpose of the current Investigative Use Licence 2412059 which is a temporary 2 year Licence of Occupation for the purpose of accessing and conducting studies on Crown Land to assess the feasibility of the construction of a multi-passenger Gondola project above Bridal Falls. If approved, the area under this application will be amalgamated into file 2412059.
After investigations are complete, the proposed project, if approved, would involve the construction of a multi-passenger gondola to access the sub-alpine and alpine region above Bridal Falls and associated amenities. The Gondola Project would include both base and summit area amenities and a network of summit trails.
The first phase of the project - this application - is centered on information gathering and investigations only. The primary focus of this investigation phase will be to conduct environmental, geotechnical and engineering studies. Water, sewer, storm water, hydro, natural gas/propane, and telephone/communication systems will also be extensively evaluated.

https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/applications?id=5deea32924e1cc0021629eb6&fbclid=IwAR3qYT8FNykSaGiX8x37FtXDDpXvHk7JShplumdluF3T6G_3cgmjzu2kL4o#details

Bridal Falls Gondola Outstanding Concerns

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We have some outstanding concerns that need to be addressed pertaining to the proposed Bridal Falls Gondola. My personal belief is that commercial development is an important part of our economy, however, wildlife, habitat, old growth forests, biodiversity, and backcountry non-motorized recreation access issues must first be addressed and respected. A balance of values can and should always be achieved.
"Business leaders, politicians and media were there to hear a presentation from Jayson Faulkner, the man behind the Sea To Sky Gondola and the visionary who wants to build something even bigger and better at Bridal Falls.
This gondola plan has an ambitious timeline. Should all the necessary permits and agreements be in place, shovels could be in the ground as early as the Summer of 2020 with an opening by the Summer of 2021."

Chilliwack – On Wednesday evening , as Mother Nature saturated the Falls Golf Course in the downpour, inside the tent pavilion, was a Keto snack spread for the invitees from Tourism Chilliwack.

Business leaders, politicians and media were there to hear a presentation from Jayson Faulkner, the man behind the Sea To Sky Gondola and the visionary who wants to build something even bigger and better at Bridal Falls.

This gondola plan has an ambitious timeline. Should all the necessary permits and agreements be in place, shovels could be in the ground as early as the Summer of 2020 with an opening by the Summer of 2021.

The gondola itself is a $17M project with the entire investment being $40M. In comparison, Sea to Sky was $10M to build and the entire project = $25M.

Entire project including parking, restaurant, traffic re-routing, hydro, trails etc. 

Highway 1 is already configured to provide fairly easy access to a gondola project which would be on 4200 hectares. A built in First Nations Cultural Centre as well as mountain bike trails are also part of the equation.

Family passes would start at $199 a season.

Right now the project does not have a social media presence but Faulkner was quick to point out that their website and Facebook presence is only a click or three away from today.

Job creation would be even more pronounced than the Molson-Coors brewery that is to go on line in September. 700 construction jobs and 44 permanent jobs.

Full Article:  

http://fraservalleynewsnetwork.com/2019/06/06/bridal-falls-gondola-business-forum-unveiling-the-master-plan-video/?fbclid=IwAR10_7MyoeEBd44EYVpxcQnO_Cx2FrPQr-fBOxf62wix0__c1GgZH8870sA

Is the Mount Archibald gondola proposal a cookie cutter project on the Sea to Sky template?

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Is the Mount Archibald gondola proposal a cookie cutter project on the Sea to Sky template? What are your thoughts?

Sea to Sky-style gondola floated for mountains above Bridal Falls in Chilliwack

A proposed gondola above Bridal Falls could enhance recreation opportunities in the eastern Fraser Valley, but could it destroy the area's rugged charm?

From the Vancouver Sun:

png0630b seatosky 0191

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https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/gondola-floated-for-mountains-above-bridal-falls-in-chilliwack?fbclid=IwAR29ddpMb2uT8BYbSX5Kfd34O-kg1TSx3feq_wO0KhKF1PJxQ-333XNcrBg

Towering 2,000 metres above Chilliwack, Mount Cheam is a local landmark.

The “mother mountain” to the Sto:lo peoples and the namesake of more than one Chilliwack business, the peak is pristine, but difficult to access. Hikers must first drive toward Chilliwack Lake before navigating a crumbling logging road to reach the alpine.

That could change.

A company called Bridal Falls Gondola Corp. has applied to study the feasibility of building a gondola above Bridal Falls, potentially opening up the mountains around Cheam to more people. The director of the company is listed as Jayson Faulkner, a founding partner of the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish.

“It’s potentially a pretty significant project that could result in opportunities for the whole region,” said Chilliwack Coun. Jason Lum, chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District, which has jurisdiction over the area.

In an application for a two-year licence to access and study a 4,200-hectare area stretching from Bridal Falls to Mount Cheam to Elk Mountain, the company proposes to conduct “environmental, geotechnical and engineering studies (including traffic studies)” to determine the feasibility of a gondola. “No changes or alterations to the landscape will be made during this first phase,” according to the application.

If the company decides to proceed with the project, another application would need to be submitted, at which point evaluation, consultation and public input would continue. The footprint for the second application would be smaller, “as it would cover only the areas necessary for the gondola and associated structures and buildings.”

Lum said the company has approached local government, including the area’s First Nations, to start discussions about the gondola, but the proposal is still in the early stages.

“The mountains here are very near and dear to people’s hearts, so it’s good to start consultation early,” he said.

While recreation opportunities in the Chilliwack mountains are less sophisticated than those in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, they are used by a growing community of hikers, mountain bikers, paragliders and hunters. Many areas are only accessible by bumpy logging roads or long, steep trails, which guarantees they won’t be busy, despite boasting stunning views of the valley floor, thousands of metres below.

In online forums dedicated to hiking and mountaineering, most posters seemed to be taking a “wait-and-see” approach, although some worried gondola traffic could destroy the area’s rugged charm.

“It comes down to how the company plans to treat the land and what’s around it,” said Tyler Gillies, president of the West Coast Soaring Club. The paragliding club holds two tenures for jump sites near the proposed study area. “We support allowing more access to the backcountry, as long as it doesn’t affect our ability to fly.”

Chilliwack Coun. Sam Waddington, the owner of Mt. Waddington’s Outdoors store, was taking a similar view.

“I think the mountains around Chilliwack are some of the most beautiful in our province,” said the mayoral candidate. “When I get up there, I’m astounded by the view. It’s life-changing and perspective-giving, and I wish everyone could experience it.”

Viewed through the “lens” of the successful Sea to Sky Gondola project, Waddington said he was hopeful the project could balance increased backcountry traffic with preservation of the natural environment.

“On the Sea to Sky Gondola, the traffic is massive, but the ecological impact is actually quite minimal,” he said. “We need to look at the best ways to manage our natural places. Let’s foster people’s desire to access these areas, but let’s build them in such a way that they can handle it.”

B.C. Mountaineering Club director Paul Kubik agreed, pointing out that the Sea to Sky Gondola has been a beneficial project for many different groups, including hikers. “They’re good backcountry citizens, I think.”

In an emailed statement, the Ministry of Forests said staff will evaluate feedback received from the company’s application before making a decision. Public feedback is being accepted until Oct. 5, 2018, at arfd.gov.bc.ca.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

twitter.com/glendaluymes

A proposal to build a tram to "Mount Archibald", above Bridal Falls near Chilliwack

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And now a proposal to build a tram to "Mount Archibald", above Bridal Falls near Chilliwack. There doesn't seem to be a Mount Archibald on my copy of 92 H/4, but it's pretty clear that it would be on the shoulder if not on top of Mount Cheam. ("the sub-alpine and alpine region above Bridal Falls"). And that although it's billed as a "study", by the time it's done it'd probably be a fait accompli.

The Application:

https://arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=55831&fbclid=IwAR3pBet_NDra8st-94XS6UmuBIpMHHXfFn66NM9vT-uKbDbQDGRATspZqxw

This application is for a temporary 2 year Licence of Occupation for the purpose of accessing and conducting studies on Crown Land to assess the feasibility of the construction of a multi-passenger Gondola project above Bridal Falls. 

The first phase of the project - this application - is centered on information gathering and investigations only. No changes or alternations to the landscape will be made during this first phase. The primary focus of this investigative phase will be to conduct environmental, geotechnical and engineering studies (including traffic studies). Water, sewer, storm water, hydro, natural gaspropane, and telephonecommunication systems will also be extensively evaluated.

After investigations are complete, the proponent will be required to submit a new application should they wish to proceed with the project. This new application will be phase two of the project. The proponent will be required to submit all necessary reports and investigation results and the application will go through another round of evaluation and consultation. The phase two application will also be open for public review and comment. 

The large application area of this phase one application is required in order to conduct the necessary studies and investigations to assess the feasibility of the project. Should the proponent wish to submit a phase two application in the future for the gondola works, the footprint of the new application will be smaller, as it would cover only the areas necessary for the gondola and associated structures and buildings. Maps depicting the new, more defined area will be made available during the public review and comment period of the phase two application.