On May 16, Squamish will have a new business to add to its top 10 employers list.
When the Sea to Sky Gondola takes its first load of sightseers to The Summit Lodge, the company anticipates having more than 100 people on its payroll 74 full-time equivalent jobs, gondola partner David Smith said. The gondola's management estimates its annual staffing bill will sit at $3 million dollars, with an equal amount being poured into goods and service in the local economy.
The company's hiring thrust is unprecedented in Squamish, Smith said. In order to fill the gondola's staffing requirement before opening day, the company is on wide-scale campaign.
I don't think there has ever been such extensive recruitment in Squamish, Smith said.
On Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, operators are hosting a job fair at the Executive Suites Hotel and Resort. The Sea to Sky Gondola will be looking to fill frontline positions, such as baristas for The Summit Lodge, parking attendants and retail sales agents. The response to staffing requests to date has been phenomenal, Smith said. Management is in place and more than 300 applications were received for seven mid-management positions.
The quality of the candidates is really good, Smith said.
The facility's calendar is quickly booking up. Dignitaries will help cut the ribbon on the big day, Smith said, noting staff are planning a special public day of celebrations in June. Operators also hope to organize something different for the Squamish Valley Music Festival, he said, adding the two parties have been in discussions. On Sept. 21, the summit will host a running race for the Coast Mountain Trail Series.
We are still formalizing activities, Smith said.
During the winter, snowshoeing will be available. Gondola management are also eying cross-country skiing. In the summer, gondola users can enjoy new climbing routes and hiking trails. By 2015, the facility's operators aim to have a mountain biking trail system in place, with an endurance ride ending in Britannia Beach.
Squamish support for the project has been amazing, Smith said. Last December, the gondola sold 2,800 annual passes in a pres-sale. Ninety to 95 per cent of the buyers were from the Sea to Sky Corridor, Smith said.
Some buyers were as far away as England, he said.
The job fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. Executive Suites is located at 40900 Tantalus Road. For more info www.seatoskygondola.ca/about-sea-sky/careers.
