Canyon Ski Resort, east of Red Deer. (Supplied)

By Sheldon Spackman

Seasonal amenity

Campground approved for Canyon Ski Resort

Jun 22, 2021 | 4:24 PM

A campground proposed for the top of Canyon Ski Resort has been granted approval by Red Deer County’s Municipal Planning Commission (MPC), albeit around half the size of the original proposal.

Instead of the proposed 202 RV sites and 53 tent sites on the northwest portion of the property, the revised project will now consist of 100 RV sites and 53 tent sites.

Approval for the seasonal campground comes with a long list of conditions for the ski resort’s owners to adhere to prior to a development permit being issued.

Those conditions include two emergency exits, a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA), a geotechnical report addressing slope stability, a servicing study, storm water management plan, engineered drawings for all proposed work, screening, fencing, and a security plan established to the satisfaction of the County’s development authority, among others.

Of further note, County staff has indicated the parcel of land is within the Historical Resources Act Area, meaning the applicants must obtain Historical Resources Act approval, prior to proceeding with any land surface disturbance associated with development.

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The project’s approval follows a town hall meeting held virtually on June 10 to address community concerns, where about 25 people attended.

Access to the campground will be from Township Road 384, the same access leading to the ski area.

A washroom/shower facility is also in the plans, with power and water to be supplied for each site. According to County officials, the landowners and operators of the resort currently live on site, with six additional residential employees anticipated to operate and maintain the campground.

Councillor Jean Bota initially moved to deny the proposal, citing concerns with security, size and a request from the ski resort’s owners to delay a TIA. However, with a TIA being added as a condition of approval, in addition to screening, fencing, and a security plan, Bota later rescinded her motion and supported the project.

MPC member Jim Wood expects the campground to be an asset for the community.

“These folks already run a business in our community,” said Wood. “I believe that we need to give this particular applicant some benefit of doubt that they will in fact operate this business in a manner that will be good to our community. They are known to us.”

Should any issues arise in the future, Wood suggests those can always be addressed if and when they come up.

“I believe that we have definitely handled the concerns of our community at this particular time,” said Wood. “We can always go back, but I don’t believe it’s going to be necessary.”

Canyon Ski Resort Co-owner David Martel says MPC’s decision is great news for them and offers a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

“The conditions imposed are nothing new that we didn’t know already,” said Martel. “We had asked for a relaxation on the Traffic Impact Assessment that’s required for any development, just because we’re offset from our winter season. It’s why we were asking for the relaxation, just because we don’t see the crowds we see in the winter year-round. We thought that doing an assessment would kind of contradict what we already do out here.”

“Knowing that these are the conditions and we do have council’s approval,” added Martel. “We’re able to start investigating further in finalizing plans and details. Just starting that process is good news to hear.”