Kicking Horse Mountain Resort unveils new Draft Master Plan

08/05/2008 - Golden BC. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort will unveil a new Draft Master Plan this week during a series of Open House sessions in Golden, BC. The new Draft Master Plan proposes the expansion of the existing ski resort (KHMR) into a destination resort including a signature 18-hole golf course, a densification of the resort base and major improvements to the ski area. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort opened in the 2000/2001 ski season with the dramatic introduction of a gondola to the top of the mountain range, and it has now reached an important stage; the point when it has to look at the long term future. Following a rapid start and tremendous local support, KHMR captured the imagination of the riding public as unique place to ski/ride and enjoy the mountains. “The time has come to re-think this project, taking a fresh look at the plans, the markets, the community and what we have learned in the past 8-years” says Kicking Horse’s President Steve Paccagnan. “Ballast Nedam, the owners of KHMR, are enthusiastic about the opportunity to make the resort even more successful into the future.” After a year of planning with the development team at KHMR and resort industry consultants, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s management are pleased to submit an amended Draft Master Plan to update and expand the 1999 Master Plan for Kicking Horse Mountain resort by formally submitting the plan to the government of British Columbia (Under the Commercial Alpine Ski Policy). To this end, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has been working to prepare a preliminary draft of a long term ski area improvement and expansion plan, and would like to share it with the community of Golden and our employees via public presentations for discussion and review of the proposed plans. “We see this as a uniquely appropriate time. Tourism is gaining positive momentum in the Kootenay’s, and KHMR is well positioned to participate in the process of drawing the attention of international clientele to the interior following the world wide exposure of the 2010 winter Olympics”, says Steve Paccagnan. Proposed plans include an attractive destination resort that will be capable of sustaining the summer and winter activities that are needed for longer term overnight guests and local recreational enthusiasts. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort also proposes developing a signature 18-hole golf course which will greatly enhance lodging through the summer season. We believe that the future of KHMR is part of a needed expansion of tourism facilities that responds to the public interest of the region, of the province and adds key benefits to the community including: 1)Substantial further investment into the regional economy. 2)Significant job creation opportunities. 3)An important step in the diversification of tourism in the regional and local economy. OPEN HOUSE As part of the Draft Master Plan revision process Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s management team will be hosting two public open houses to solicit input and feedback from resort stakeholders and the local community. The dates of the public consultation events are as follows: Public Consultation Session #1 Date: Thursday, August 7th, 2008 Location: British Columbia Visitor Centre Time:12:00 to 7:00 pm – Presentations is at 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm Public Consultation Session #2 Date: Saturday, August 9th, 2008 Location:Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Day Lodge Time:10:00 noon to 2:00 pm – Presentation is at 11:00 am The goal of these public consultation forums is to provide community stakeholders an opportunity to learn first hand what Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is proposing. Everyone interested in the future development and growth of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is welcome to attend. The Draft Master Plan is posted on the government of British Columbia website at the following address: http://www.tsa.gov.bc.ca/resort_development/resort_plans/proposed_resort_plans.htm