A group representing B.C.鈥檚 motorized off-road sports groups are pledging to resolve any outstanding issues 鈥� and misconceptions 鈥� after a positive meeting last month with the Cascade Skyline Gondola Project proponent.

The ambitious $80 million project is proposing to build a recreational gondola amenity overlooking Chilliwack in partnership with Cheam First Nation, as co-proponent, and Pelolxw Nations.

Members of the Quad Riders Association of BC, BC Off-Road Motorcycle Association, BC Snowmobile Federation, and the Four Wheel Drive Association of BC had raised concerns publicly last month about the potential for gates restricting motorized users鈥� access in the Cheam, Chipmunk and Thurston areas.

鈥淏ased on the information that both parties shared it is clear that an equitable solution can be found for us to support this project application and our group now awaits written documentation from the proponent on the changes we discussed,鈥� the Feb. 1 statement from motorized groups said.

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Once they get a response in writing, they鈥檒l review it for impacts on any of the existing provincial agreements that groups may already have in place.

They鈥檙e also asking their membership and other riders to stop sharing misinformation.

鈥淲e appreciate the private citizen petition that was created and is being circulated but it has contained some misinformation that is jeopardizing our work on this project,鈥� the groups say.

They pointed to 鈥渨idespread鈥� use of the term 鈥淐RA鈥� which stands for controlled access area, in some of the online discussions about the gondola project.

鈥淭his project is not a CRA but rather an application for a non-exclusive use Commercial Recreation Tenure under the Adventure Tourism Policy. A CRA is used by ski hills to obtain exclusive rights on Crown land that allows them to control access to the area.鈥�

One of the misconceptions is linking the gondola project to any ski hill.

The Cascade Skyline Gondola Project is the official project name submitted by proponent Jayson Faulkner, founder of the Bridal Falls Gondola Corp.

鈥淭his is not a ski hill although it was shared that another proponent may have submitted a letter of intent to develop a ski hill in the area, which is likely what is creating confusion,鈥� according to the groups鈥� statement.

They also acknowledged that the gondola proposal is a joint project that includes a large investment by local First Nations, namely Cheam First Nation, which is the main project partner.

鈥淭hese nations have financially invested in this project to create economic benefits for their band members long-term and to protect their heritage values in the region.

鈥淲e are committed to working with these nations to find solutions on this project but also to work closely with them to better understand their cultural usage in the area separately. We are pleased to state that despite the negative media, we are at a point where all parties are committed to working together to resolve outstanding issues on the table.鈥�

The letter of concern about trail access was signed by:

Chris D鈥橲ilva, president, ATVBC Quad Riders Association of BC;

Peter Sprague, executive director, BC Off-Road Motorcycle Association;

Donegal Wilson, executive director, BC Snowmobile Federation; and

Kim Reeves, president, Four Wheel Drive Association of BC.

A gondola reps say they hope to receive the tenure approval from the province in the first half of 2023.

Their optimism was in part attributed to the support and continued endorsement received from City of Chilliwack, District of Kent, as well as stakeholders like Indigenous Tourism BC, CEPCO, Chilliwack Outdoor Club, Tourism Industry Association of B.C.

Discussions with the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) on rezoning and other approvals are underway, according to the January update from project proponents, and they expect to begin the formal application for rezoning as soon as they have the final update and clarity from the province on the tenure process.

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