The Province has approved an Interim Agreement for the Valemount Glacier Destination Resort proposal, allowing the project to develop a master plan.

Effective March 27, 2013, the government's approval of the Interim Agreement allows the proponent, Valemount Glacier Destinations Ltd., to begin preparing a resort master plan and participate in the master plan review process. The review process will include detailed analysis of the proposal, assessing its technical and economic feasibility and determining potential environmental impacts as well as any impacts to existing forestry and recreation activities. First Nations consultations will also continue during the review process period.

The proposed development has strong community support from residents and stakeholders including a petition submitted by the Valemount Ski Society with 500 signatures. Other supporters include Valemount Chamber of Commerce, Yellowhead Outdoor Recreation Association and the Valemount Area Recreation Development Association.

In 2011, the Village of Valemount invited the proponent to consider the Valemount area for a mountain resort development. In November 2012, Valemount Glacier Destinations submitted a formal proposal for the resort to the ministry's Mountain Resorts Branch.

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"Approval of the Interim Agreement allows the Mountain Resorts Branch to look at all aspects of the proposal with a fine-toothed comb. This phase of the process is to ensure the development is in the best interest of the community, the land and the environment."

MLA for Prince George-Valemount, Shirley Bond -

"This is a significant step forward and comes after a lot of work and community input. While there is still work to be done, community support has played a significant role in the establishment of this project."

"If approved, it has the potential to be a significant job creator and would provide a world-class, year-round recreation destination for residents and tourists alike. This step speaks to the importance of working together with stakeholders and all levels of government."

Andru McCracken, mayor, Village of Valemount -

"Backcountry skiers have long known that this area, so close to Valemount, is a ski mecca, but not many of us envisioned such an amazing project. We are grateful for the care and duty Valemount Glacier Destinations have shown toward us so far and happy that our partners are taking another step in this direction."

"The Village of Valemount looks forward to the next stage of planning. Congratulations to the visionaries of Valemount for believing this was possible and to the proponents for making it happen."

Marie Birkbeck, secretary and treasurer, Valemount Chamber of Commerce -

"This project perfectly fits into the chambers' economic and tourism development strategy aimed at improving public and private tourism facilities. Local businesses will also benefit from Valemount Glacier Destination's marketing efforts aimed at presenting Valemount as a year-round destination. For Valemount, this is a very positive signal in times of transition and economic uncertainty."

Stephen Leahy, chairman, Valemount Glacier Destinations Ltd. -

"We are very pleased to achieve this important milestone and look forward to beginning the master plan process. I am grateful to the ministers and also provincial staff for their work in reviewing the application and thank the people of Valemount and the Simpcw First Nation for their support and enthusiasm."

"We continue to work on what will be one of the best mountain destinations in the world - featuring one of the world's largest vertical drops, year-round skiing, high-alpine glaciers and truly awe-inspiring sightseeing."

Quick Facts:

• Total capital investment, if the resort is approved to proceed, is an estimated $800 million.

• The resort would include year-round glacier skiing, golf, sightseeing and 2,000 bed units in the base development.

Learn More:

Valemount Glacier Destination Resort - Project Introduction: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/resort_development/external/!publish/web/resort_plans/proposed/Valemount_Glacier_Destination_Resort_Proposal.pdf

Resort Development in B.C.: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/resort_development/

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261