The District of Squamish is the first government agency to support the proposed Sea to Sky Gondola.
On Tuesday (Feb. 7), council unanimously gave its final approval to rezoning and Official Community Plan amendments needed to pave way for the construction of the gondola's base area.
With the district's approval in the bag, Coun. Ron Sander said he hopes it will assure the other government bodies to "get their butts in gear." The proposal to run a cable tram 2,700 feet up a ridge below Mount Habrich still needs permits from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), B.C. Parks and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources.
SLRD officials have received and commented on the proposal. David Greenfield, the principal of GroundEffects, the gondola's proponent, anticipates the project will be before the regional district board for first and second reading in late February, with a public hearing in March.
If everything goes according to plan, the gondola should open in the summer of 2013, Greenfield said. He aims to have all the approvals in place by June or July of this year and start construction this fall.
GroundEffects estimates the gondola will draw up to 300,000 visitors annually. Greenfield anticipates the project will provide 20 to 50 full-time staff positions. The draft includes retail space, a cafÉ and an interactive theatre.
Squamish councillors noted their excitement in seeing the gondola move forward.
"When are the excavators going to show up there?" Coun. Ted Prior jokingly asked.
