Projects Outside of the Long-Range Planning Process

With completion of the 2018 Site Guidelines, and in recognition that it will take time to prepare a Long-Range Plan, Parks Canada listed projects that can be brought forward for consideration in advance of a Long-Range Plan:

• New competitive and/or large-scale public events.
• Changes to the buffer, berming and re-vegetation to improve protection of Healy Creek adjacent to the parking lot.
• Goat’s Eye Day Lodge subject to the objectives, growth limits, area concepts and parameters described.
• Rock or other hazard removal on existing ski terrain in the Developed Area, to address skier or operational safety issues.
• Improvements to existing drainage installations and new systems to reduce erosion or icing, or to protect natural drainage channels.
• The widening and reconfiguration of the ski-out and connecting egress runs if no terrain modification is required.
• Replacement of the current gondola and existing lifts as allowed for under the like-for-like provisions of the 2006 Ski Area Management Guidelines.
• Modifications of existing commercial facilities if no change to commercial space requirements.
• Modification of operational support buildings.
• Redevelopment or replacement of maintenance buildings consistent with the 2006 Ski Area Management Guidelines.
• Implementation of water conservation measures and technologies, and an effectiveness monitoring plan.
• Upgrades to the existing wastewater treatment systems.
• Solutions to reduce risks to human and / or environmental health associated with effluent discharge to ground.
• Fiber optic installation from the TCH interchange, up the access road to the resort. This required a License of Occupation.
• Skier-pedestrian shuttle systems or people movers within the existing base area / parking lot footprint.
• Proposals to improve parking efficiency or capacity within the existing base area through relocation or reconfiguring existing facilities or parking space.
• Proposals for a multi-level parking structure(s) within the existing base area parking lot footprint, which reflect design and engineering that:
  • Meets all applicable building and safety codes and performance standards as legally required and/or otherwise determined by Parks Canada.
  • Considers the landscape, visitor use patterns, and architecture of the overall base area.
  • Ensures run-off from the structure is managed in a way that prevents deleterious substances from entering Healy Creek.
  • Is sensitive to typical routes used by wildlife in accessing Upper Healy wildlife corridor.
• Infrastructure and technologies that enhance snowmaking water efficiency and conservation without increasing overall water use.

In the case of Sunshine Village, it was recognized that while a commitment existed for the expeditious completion of a first Long-Range Plan, certain projects needed to be pursued in advance of a Long-Range Plan. As such, Sunshine Village has applied for development and building permits for the following projects:

• Fiber Optic Installation from the TCH Interchange to the Base Area
  • Applied for 2019, completed summer 2020.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
  • Applied for 2021, expected completion prior to the development of the Wolverine Day Lodge.
• Parking Lot Stormwater Management System, Buffer Enhancement, and Reconfiguration
  • Applied for 2021, completed summer 2021.
• Base Area Parkade – 450 Stalls
  • Applied for 2021, expected to be completed in phases starting summer 2022.

The completed 2020 Fiber Optic installation improved internet and cellular connectivity for the resort.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade is intended to allow the Resort to consistently meet the Leadership Targets under the Banff National Park Management Plan. Sunshine Village is currently working with a 3^rd party professional engineer to design the upgrades.

The wastewater treatment plant is an extended aeration plant that was constructed in 1979 and has undergone multiple upgrades. The plant operation currently meets all provincial and federal guidelines consistently for wastewater treatment but occasionally does not meet the Banff National Park leadership target for phosphorous.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, the Parking Lot Stormwater Management System, Buffer Enhancement, are significant recent initiatives undertaken by the Company to protect Healy Creek and habitat for species of concern listed under the Species at Risk Act.

The 2021 Parking Reconfiguration brought balance to the Resort at 6,500 SAOT.

During the summer of 2020, and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunshine Village applied for development and building permits for certain facilities for health and safety reasons and social distancing. Those permits were approved by Parks Canada as temporary facilities. Those facilities are discussed further in Section 2 of the Long-Range Plan.

Please note that all comments posted below are public. If you would like to provide comments directly to Sunshine Village and Parks Canada, please email lrp@skibanff.com.