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Provincial NDP opposed to Jumbo
It’s the first time a leader of the provincial New Democrat Party has officially stated opposition to the proposed (Jumbo) Glacier Resort Ltd.
On July 15 NDP leader Adrian Dix circulated a press release declaring that he and his party do not support the billion dollar ski resort proposal for the upper Jumbo Creek Valley, 55 km west of Invermere.
Dix’s position reflects that of Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald, who has held fast in opposition to the project since he was first elected in 2005.
“The New Democrat’s position on the proposed Jumbo Glacier resort is unequivocal; it should not proceed. Kootenay residents have been very clear. The proposal does not make economic or environmental sense,” Dix stated.
“On November 15, 2010, the Ktunaxa Nation Council presented the Qat’muk Declaration at the British Columbia Legislature. The declaration makes it clear that the Ktunaxa will not accept any development in the Jumbo Creek area (Qat’muk),” Dix continued, adding, “Kootenay NDP MLAs Katrine Conroy, Norm Macdonald and Michelle Mungall have consistently sided with their constituents on this issue. But so far, the BC Liberal government has ignored the wishes of the people.
“Kootenay residents can depend on the New Democrat caucus to ensure that Jumbo is retained for future generations,” he concluded.
The lone Kootenay MLA to support the project is East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett (Liberal). Bennett did not respond to e-KNOW’s request for comment; nor did Premier Christy Clark’s office.
While the Ktunaxa Nation has officially opposed the proposal for about a decade, the Shuswap Band, located adjacent to the District of Invermere, remains in support of the project.
A mini Jumbo refresher
From jumboglacierresort.com: “Jumbo Glacier Resort is a proposed year round ski resort located at the foot of Jumbo Mountain and Jumbo Glacier — 55 km west of Invermere, British Columbia.
The resort, centred on a former sawmill site, will provide lift-serviced access to several nearby glaciers at an elevation of up to 3,400 metres (11,155 feet). The resort is planned in three phases and will ultimately include 5,500 bed-units (plus 750 beds for staff accommodations) in a 104 hectare resort base area. At build-out, the resort will see 2,000 to 3,000 visitors in high season.
In winter, the resort will offer 1,700 metres (5,500 feet) of 100% natural snow vertical. In summer, up to 700 metres (2,300 feet) of glacier skiing vertical will be available.
The resort’s location was chosen for its optimal snow conditions, high elevations, large glaciers, and the fact that the Jumbo Creek valley has seen significant prior use and it provides the easiest access to 3,000 metre high (10,000 feet) glaciers in North America.
At full build-out, the proposed $450 million resort would provide approximately 3,750 person years of construction employment and create 750 to 800 permanent full-time jobs.”
The Jumbo Glacier Resort Ltd. proposal is now more than 20 years old.
The photo above shows the location (the old saw mill site) that would be roughly the centre of the proposed resort village.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
