The proposed ski resort Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) could offer shorter lines, faster lifts, more snow, better employee housing options and leave less of an ecological footprint than Whistler-Blackcomb, the project's president told local business leaders this week.
At a Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday (Nov. 20) Mike Esler said GAS would boost local employment by creating up to 13,000 jobs over 15 years, including 2,400 full-time permanent positions. He also said the resort would generate about $54 million in commercial and residential property taxes for the district.
Once the presentation wrapped up, Esler faced a barrage of questions from the group. Some asked about water intake and urban sprawl, while others questioned how Whistler would respond to nearby competition.Esler said the clustering of resorts tends to strengthen all businesses involved. But he acknowledged the resort could end up stealing staff rather than dollars from its competition.
"I think there's no question of the validity of that concern," he said. "Ten per cent of our housing units have to be staff housing. I don't think Whistler's done that but maybe this will give them the impetus."
When addressing water concerns, he said the resort would be drawing about two per cent of the Brohm River's flow, an amount co-manager Glen Stewart deemed "relatively inconsequential."
While the river now has its own monitoring stations, Stewart explained that the environmental assessment process had been based on water flow estimates from a similar river with more extensive data.This approach was troublesome for Squamish Environmental Conservation Society president Catherine Jackson.
"I wonder how the environmental assessment office can make a proper decision without that data?" she asked.
Esler said relying on results from similar studies for decision making was common practice. Jackson had further environmental concerns, pointing out that developing the mountain would be in opposition to Smart Growth principles recently adopted by the District of Squamish and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.
What pleases the province might not please the district, Esler explained. He said the resort would fit in with B.C. goals to increase tourism in coming years.
After noting he needed to watch what he disclosed, he suggested the province was backing the project.
"The province would not have spent four years in litigation with Squamish Nationif they were not behind it."
The project is currently under provincial review. Esler said he doesn't expect to see a shovel in the ground until 2009, at which point he hopes to scoop up Kiewit workers on the heels of the highway project.
