Whistler experienced its second major lift malfunction on the night February 18 when a chair came crashing to the ground on the Harmony Express.
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Around 2:30 p.m. the Blackcomb Excalibur gondola tower came off its moorings, stranding at least a dozen passengers inside several cars hovering over the mountain. The tower is now leaning quite heavily to one side.
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Mother Nature Skips Fall, Delivering 6 centimetres of Snow Overnight
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Fitzsimmons Creek small hydro project begins construction after six year study
Whistler, BC - Construction has begun on a renewable energy project that will offset the total annual energy consumption at Whistler Blackcomb. The Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Project, located entirely within Whistler Blackcomb’s operating area, will produce 33.5 gigawatt hours of hydro electricity per year, the equivalent of powering the ski resort’s winter and summer operations including 38 lifts, 17 restaurants, 269 snowguns and countless other buildings and services.
The 7.5 megawatt hydro project is being developed by Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Limited Partnership, part of a joint venture between Innergex Renewable Energy and Ledcor Power Group. “Whistler Blackcomb is a strategic partner in the project, their efforts to facilitate the water rights licensing and coordinate the various stakeholders allowed the project to move ahead,” says Jamie Horner, Project Manager for the Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Project. Whistler Blackcomb is directly involved in the construction and environmental stewardship of the project.
“This project marks a new chapter in Whistler Blackcomb’s history book and will become the bedrock of our enactment on climate change,” says Arthur DeJong, Whistler Blackcomb’s Mountain Planning and Environmental Resource Manager. “Climate change is our number one threat, and our efforts to address this issue can be categorized under the headings conservation and renewable energy generation. While we have a solid track record on conservation, this is our first major renewable energy project and we are thrilled to see it come to fruition after six years of project assessments, careful planning, and stakeholder discussions. We can now firmly step forward in producing a renewable energy project that makes sense, and to help us move ever-closer to our goal of achieving a net zero footprint within our operating area.”
The Fitzsimmons Creek area provides the ultimate conditions for a successful small hydro electric project. The creek has an abundance of water, the necessary vertical drop, it is not a major fish-bearing stream, nor is the creek used recreationally within the project area. The creek is already tied extensively into Whistler Blackcomb’s snowmaking system, and much of the area that will need to be developed runs along an existing access road for Whistler Blackcomb’s operations. The project will not require above-ground hydro lines and the lines can travel underground in a previously disturbed area.
The Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Project will have a single turbine with a capacity of 7.5 megawatt, and the power generated by the project will be sold to British Columbia’s hydro electric utility, BC Hydro. The project will be among the first to use BC Hydro’s Standing Offer Program that was created under the BC government’s 2007 Energy Plan.
In addition to being a significant milestone in Whistler Blackcomb’s environmental policy, the project also supports the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s 2020 plan, which lays out a vision for success through 2020 based on the three pillars of sustainability; economic, social and environmental. “From what I understand about the project, it supports Whistler2020’s Energy Vision of providing local sources of low impact, renewable energy, says Dan Wilson, Whistler2020 Energy Task Force Member. “It is an early stepping stone towards Whistler2020’s goal of a sustainable Whistler.”
Ledcor CMI Limited is the contractor for the project, and is the major contractor for other hydro projects in the Sea to Sky corridor. Construction is currently underway and the project is expected to be operational by 2010. A series of open houses will be conducted in the fall of 2008 offering tours of the construction site and providing an opportunity for the community to learn more about the project. For further information about Whistler Blackcomb’s environmental policy, visit whistlerblackcomb.com.
About Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. is a developer, owner and operator of run-of-river hydroelectric facilities and wind energy projects in North America. The Corporation’s management team has been involved in the renewable power industry since 1990. Without giving effect to this transaction, the Corporation owns a portfolio of projects which consists of one operating facility (8 MW), interests in nine development projects with power purchase agreements under construction or to be constructed between 2008 and 2012 (gross expected capacity of 565 MW), and prospective projects (gross expected capacity of more than 1,500 MW). Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. also owns a 16.1% interest in Innergex Power Income Fund, a publicly traded income fund listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (IEF.UN), and acts as its manager under long-term management agreements. Innergex Power Income Fund’s 12 projects, all in operation, have a combined gross capacity of 340 MW.
About Ledcor Power Group Ltd.
Ledcor Power Group is an independent power producer (IPP) currently focused on developing environmentally
friendly “green” energy projects in British Columbia. Ledcor Power is a wholly owned subsidiary within the Ledcor Group of Companies. Founded in 1947, Ledcor is a leading, privately-held, employee-owned group of companies, specializing in building, civil, industrial and telecommunications projects and services. Ledcor brings an established history of construction excellence with a team of professionals who measure their success by client satisfaction.
About Whistler Blackcomb.
Consistently ranked as North America’s top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the Peak Chair on Whistler, epic riding in North America’s number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier. In the valley, sparkling mountain lakes and beaches, four championship golf courses, and Whistler’s vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, introducing a world-record breaking Peak to Peak Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain’s alpine. Opening December 2008, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will revolutionize the winter skiing and riding as well as summer sightseeing and alpine hiking experience. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at whistlerblackcomb.com.
About Intrawest ULC
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in ten resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest a private resort club with locations throughout North America. In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit intrawest.com
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Stringing Of 28km Worth Of Rope Cable Currently Underway On Peak 2 Peak Gondola Construction.
Four Track Rope Cables and One Haul Rope to be Installed Between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
Whistler Blackcomb to double terrain park features and upgrade to a Superpipe
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After a snowy six month hiatus, construction on Whistler Blackcomb’s Peak 2 Peak Gondola has commenced, with completion of the record breaking lift slated for this December, just before the busy winter season swings into high gear.
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