Sometime in the future, Hemlock Resort could stretch from lakeside to mountaintop. The resort may one day feature a mountainside golf course around 10 Mile Bay, overlooking the western side of Harrison Lake, with a chair lift stretching up into the distance to move mountain bikers around the hills.
The main resort would feature hotel rooms, upgraded lifts and four season attractions that would extend the mountain's viability from three months to a full year.
It's a plan that was unveiled in 2010, when it began going through a lengthy review process by the provincial government. To move ahead, the plan will need to be approved by the province, then the FVRD. On Tuesday morning, Berezan Group's Ralph Berezan was in Sts'ailes territory along with provincial and regional district representatives to discuss the current state of the plan with the public.
"It's a 55 year plan," Berezan told the Observer, and will roll out in several stages. While some of the final stages may seem lofty, he said, the initial plan is to upgrade existing services.
"The first phase is to build a new chair to replace our oldest one," he said. Also to be considered as soon as possible would be a hotel with about 22 beds.
"But the next step is having the province recommend this plan going forward," Berezan said. He's hoping to sign an agreement with the province by 2014. Then, another public process will take place for changes through the Fraser Valley Regional District, the governing body for the area Hemlock is in.
Margaret-Ann Thornton, director of planning and development with the FVRD, said they are looking at amending the Official Community Plan in Hemlock Valley to address the scope of the project.
"It's an exciting proposal," she said.
The plan was designed by Brent Harley, planner behind Big White Ski Resort, along with ski and bike parks around the world.