New trails, new tracks, an indoor climbing wall – what’s new in Revelstoke recreation – 14
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Weds., May 1, 2013 www.revelstoketimesreview.com Vol. 116, No. 18
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TIMESReview
Reel Paddling Film Fest – 12
$1.25
RMR summer development shifts to Greeley side of Mount Mackenzie
Northland Properties and Internet millionaire Bob Young partners in Revelstoke Adventure Park, which plans to develop summer amenities in Greeley, outside of Revelstoke city limits Aaron Orlando
editor@revelstoketimesreview.com
Northland Properties, the owner of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, is a business partner in the Revelstoke Adventure Park, a proposed summer tourist outdoor adventure centre that wants to offer amenities like liftaccessed mountain biking, climbing, bungee jumping, camping and other amenities in the Greeley area on the north side of Mount Mackenzie. The partnership between Northland Properties and Revelstoke Adventure Park (RAP) was not featured in a media release about the proposed summer tourist attraction when it was publicly announced in late January. Northland’s involvement in the summer tourist park on the north side of Mount Mackenzie is causing concern in Revelstoke city hall that the owners of Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) are shifting summer tourist development away from the base area of RMR on the south side of Mount Mackenzie, which is within city limits, to an area in the Columbia–Shuswap Regional District outside of city limits. City planning director John Guenther said the shift away from the RMR base was a “big concern. It affects the [controlled] recreational area (CRA).” Locating summer activities outside of the city would have many implications for the city, including a loss of potential tax base if business moves outside city limits. “I think one of the biggest challenges we would have is jurisdictional control,” Guenther told the Times Review in a April 25 interview. “These kinds of things you don’t want to have on the edge of your boundary without land use control.” In response to the proposed Rev-
elstoke Adventure Park proposal, in late March city council agreed to send a letter to referral agency Front Counter BC. The letter asked for extensive background studies, public engagement, environmental review, traffic review, a look into impacts on city services such as fire and police, and infrastructure studies. The letter also expressed a need for a look at jurisdictional control, including the possibility of boundary expansion. “There’s always risks involved in boundary expansion,” Guenther said, noting it has benefits and liabilities. “Does the city want enough control over that area because the impacts on the city is going to be extensive enough that the city needs to have land use controls in the area? That’s the question.” Mayor David Raven said the city has explored the possibility of extending the boundary into the Greeley watershed in the past, but it has its downsides. “The expansion of city boundaries out there would include an awful lot of obligations. It’s not necessarily a money maker for the city.” Raven said boundary expansion to include Revelstoke Adventure Park wasn’t likely: “It’s not on the table at this time.” Revelstoke resident Jason Roe is the spokesperson for the Revelstoke Adventure Park proposal. Roe, who is originally from Ontario, invested in several properties and businesses in the Revelstoke area along with his brother Brydon. In 2007, they started purchasing investment properties, perhaps most notably the Powder Springs Inn. Jason explained himself and his brother wanted to fulfill a lifelong dream to live in the mountains. Jason Roe will manage the Revelstoke Adventure Park property through his company Black Tie Properties. However, Illecillewaet
Development Inc. owns the property. The directors of Illecillewaet Development are Hamilton, Ontario businessman Bob Young and Tom Gaglardi, president of Northland Development Corporation. Jason Roe explained the company’s structure is a product of history. In its heyday before the recession starting in 2008, RMR was slated to be a massive development, and the Roe brothers hoped to develop a second base on the north side of the mountain, so they purchased land there. “The reality is the economy bombed,” Roe said. A future ski expansion is “30 years out” at this point, he said. Now, they’re proceeding with a scaled-back development focusing on summer tourism. Bob Young is Black Tie Properties’ financial backer in the RAP project. According to his Wikipedia page, Young is a “serial entrepreneur” who made it big in the computer business, developing and serving as CEO of Red Hat Inc., an open-source software company. He’s since been involved in other Internet companies, and is also the current owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Canadian Football League franchise. Jason Roe explained he was in business with Young in Ontario, serving as a contractor for him in the real estate business. Roe said the partnership with RMR was essential – the RAP proposal plans to extensively use lands within RMR’s ‘controlled recreation area.’ “They are 100 per cent behind this,” Roe said. “They see this as a start to their summer expansion; their four seasons. It is purely beneficial to the resort.” At an April 9 presentation to Revelstoke city council, Roe addressed questions from Mayor David Raven,
This image depicts the developer’s vision for the Revelstoke Crossing development. The site plan has been revised significantly since this early image was created. Big Bend Development image
Developer pulls out of Revelstoke Crossing Cites ‘regulatory and political climate’ as reason Aaron Orlando
editor@revelstoketimesreview.com
The developer of a major multi-million dollar hotel and restaurant development on the Trans-Canada Highway in Revelstoke has announced it is pulling out of the project, citing frustration with city hall. The Revelstoke Crossing development at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 23 North has been winding through the development process for nine years, said the proponents. The property is closely associated with developer Steve Platt, a Dallas, Texas-based property developer whose company Creststone Development has created several business and retail park developments in that state. Platt came to the Revelstoke area before the Revelstoke Mountain Resort boom and purchased several development properties here. Platt is known for his large residential mansion located on Airport Way south of Revelstoke. He developed the heritage award-winning building at 200 Second St. East – the brick building across the empty lot from city hall. Late last week, Platt told Mayor David Raven that his local company, Big Bend Development Corporation, was giving up plans to further develop Revelstoke Crossing and was putting the property up for sale. In a telephone interview from Texas with the Times Review, Platt declined to comment on his company’s reasons for pulling out, referring questions to business partner Terry Lowrey. Lowrey issued a brief statement expressing displeasure with city
Revelstoke Crossing, page 6
RAP, page 4
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