Concept of a new gondola station in Red Deer's Capstone area. (Prairie Sky Gondola)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

a unique idea

Gondola being planned to connect Capstone with Bower Ponds

Mar 29, 2022 | 11:14 AM

A gondola connecting Red Deer’s Capstone neighbourhood to Bower Ponds could be reality within two years, according to Edmonton-based Prairie Sky Gondola (PSG).

The company announced Tuesday its intention to build an urban ropeway in Red Deer, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed with The City in the near future.

PSG says it is will invest over $25 million to bring this project to life.

“Some cities don’t know how to react to unique ideas. Red Deer clearly is not one of those cities,” remarked Prairie Sky Gondola President Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson. “Red Deer is arguably one of the best communities in Alberta to invest in today. We are excited to have gotten to this moment but we are also inspired by the work that’s ahead of us. Talking about ideas is one thing. Doing them is another. And, the doing part is our business.”

PSG says it brought this proposal to The City, unsolicited, eight months ago, and has been working with municipal officials to assess and plan for the project. The impending MOU will allow for further technical and commercial due diligence.

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“The City’s vision, investment, and work on Capstone served as a critical catalyst for Prairie Sky Gondola’s decision to move forward as they reviewed this site,” announced Tara Lodewyk, Interim City Manager. “This, matched with the City’s openness and willingness to welcome experienced, private investment, have culminated to provide this unique proposed opportunity in Red Deer.”

A map shows the potential locations of two future gondola stations connecting Bower Ponds to Capstone. (Prairie Sky Gondola)

According to PSG, the ropeway would extend 350 metres over the Red Deer River, with one station on each side. PSG says the Capstone station would include dining and other experiential elements.

Hansen-Carlson says their due diligence includes consultation with Indigenous leaders.

“The concept is to make the two stations as opposite as possible. What we have proposed is not necessarily intuitive,” commented Hansen-Carlson. “Capstone Station is sweeping and bold. Bower Ponds Station wants to be invisible. The development concept fires up the City’s vision while complementing the values of the community.’

Hansen-Carlson adds that each station would be integrated in such a way that it doesn’t disrupt the ecosystem, especially on the Bower Ponds side.

The Capstone station would be 30,000 square feet over three floors, while the Bower Ponds station would be managed by one attendant, and likely become a hub within the park, just up the path from the pavilion.

Price per trip is to-be-determined, but it will be affordable for the average family, Hansen-Carlson adds.

Mayor Ken Johnston also commented, saying, “This project will highlight the natural beauty in our community while creating an attraction and destination in the heart of Capstone. The gondola will be an added tourism destination, the success of which will extend to local businesses and inspire further development.”

Prairie Sky Gondola says more details are upcoming, and that there will be a public naming competition.

The company currently has two other similar projects in different phases, in Edmonton and Burnaby, B.C..