The Revelstoke Adventure Park has been given the final stamp of approval by the BC Government.
"We are thrilled with the plans for the Revelstoke Adventure Park at Greeley," said CEO Jason Roe in a news release. "Outdoor adventure has always been an integral part of living in or visiting Revelstoke. This epic park will excite adventure seekers, create jobs and bring visitors to town. We are excited to break ground and begin phase one of this venture."
The Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations announced the approval of a 30-year adventure tourism and commercial recreation tenure on Friday morning.
"Outdoor recreation has always been a big part of Revelstoke. The proposed adventure park will add more outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors in the region, as well as create local jobs," said Steve Thomson, the Minister of FLNRO.
The adventure park was given a conditional offer of land tenure by the ministry in September, but it took months for the final approval to come.
The tenure gives the proponents the ability to develop 257 hectares of Crown land on the north side of Mount Mackenzie, about 10 kilometres east of Revelstoke.
The proposed park will include lift-accessed mountain biking, a bungee jump tower, ziplines, a wave park, campground and more if it's fully developed.
The park has been years in development. The Review first reported on the proposal four years ago. The proponents first application for tenure was rejected, forcing them to go back and conduct numerous studies before submitting a new management plan for approval.
The revised application was filed in October 2015 and approved almost a year later.
Meanwhile, in October 2016, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District approved re-zoning of the lands, which was the key condition to obtain tenure.
The park is being developed by Illecillewaet Development Limited, a partnership between Northland Properties, the owners of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, and Black Tie Properties.
The Review has contacted Roe for an interview and will update this story after we speak to him.
The full government announcement is below:
Proposed adventure park tenure moves forward
REVELSTOKE - The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has approved a 30-year adventure tourism/commercial recreation tenure for Illecillewaet Development Limited Partnership's proposed adventure park.
The tenure consists of a licence of occupation for approximately 257 hectares of Crown land in the Greely Creek area 10 kilometres northeast of Revelstoke, adjoining 64 hectares of the proponent's private land. Issuance of the tenure was subject to rezoning by local government.
The proposed adventure park will include summer recreational activities such as: hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, zip-lining, bungee jumping, tree-top adventures, mountain coasters and sky swings.
Planned improvements to Crown land include: an access road up steep terrain to a higher elevation point, day lodge, heli-pad, gazebos and portable sanitation units, and eventually a gondola or chairlift.
Numerous studies were conducted to assess the proposed uses of Crown land, and to ensure the project would protect existing values such as wildlife habitat, terrain stability and drinking water. Consultations with the public, First Nations and partners/stakeholders were held in compliance with provincial legislation.
Quotes:
Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -
"Outdoor recreation has always been a big part of Revelstoke. The proposed adventure park will add more outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors in the region, as well as create local jobs."
Minister of State for Rural Economic Development Donna Barnett -
"This adventure park is another example of rural entrepreneurship that has the ability to create economic sustainability in rural communities."
Illecillewaet Development Limited Partnership/Revelstoke Adventure Park CEO Jason Roe -
"We are thrilled with the plans for the Revelstoke Adventure Park at Greeley. Outdoor adventure has always been an integral part of living in or visiting Revelstoke. This epic park will excite adventure seekers, create jobs and bring visitors to town. We are excited to break ground and begin phase one of this venture."
Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area B director Loni Parker -
"I am pleased that the Revelstoke Adventure Park is moving forward. This is an exciting project for the Revelstoke area, which will not only add value to our local economy but will also provide visitors with more exceptional recreational experiences."
Learn More:
Adventure tourism land-use policy:
Proposed Revelstoke Adventure Park map: http://www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/getfile.jsp?PostID=50116&FileID=59824&action=view
Proposed Revelstoke Adventure Park management plan: http://www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/getfile.jsp?PostID=50116&FileID=63090&action=view