By David F. Rooney
If everything goes according to plan, Revelstoke may soon host a new $25 million adventure tourism park offering a mountain bike trail network, bungee jumping, zip lines and other activities.
Revelstoke Adventure Park is the brainchild of Black Tie Properties.
“We believe in Revelstoke and think this development will enhance summer tourism here,” proponent Jason Roe said in an interview on Thursday.
It’s an ambitious project that will be developed in five phases over five to seven years, he said.
Located 10-kilometers east of the city, the Revelstoke Adventure Park will include not only a mountain biking trail network, but in its preliminary phase it will host two dedicated mountain adventure centres and accompanying guest facilities and services – The Tree Top Adventure Centre and The Bungee Centre. Planned activities include a bungee jump, a series of treetop adventures and zip lines. Ongoing phases of development will include additional unique attractions, rides and activities integrated into the mountain landscape. Guest facilities will include a lodge, shops, campground, cultural center and ultimately chairlifts for access to mountain biking and activities at elevation.
A management plan for this venture has been submitted, along with an Adventure Tourism Tenure application, to the Ministry of Forests, Land & Natural Resources for review and approval, Roe said.
The proposed park will extend from the northern base of Mount Mackenzie onto Crown land 1,000 metres up its northern shoulder overlapping Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s Controlled Recreational Area. In consideration of this aspect of the development, Jason Roe, Back Tie’s chief operating officer, has been working with RMR throughout the conceptual and planning stages of the Park and says he has the support of RMR’s owners for the proposed land use.
“We bought the property (near Greeley) for this very reason,” he said, adding that while the Gagliardi family, which owns RMR, is very supportive of the project it participating in its development.
Drawing on the doubling of vehicle traffic in the summer months along the Trans-Canada Highway corridor, RAP is intended to enhance Revelstoke’s reputation as a leading outdoor adventure tourism destination and round out the four-season experience, while encouraging overnight stays in the area and creating opportunities for local Revelstoke businesses. RAP will also generate about 167 seasonal jobs, Roe said.
If it gets a green light from the province the park will extend from the northern base of Mount Mackenzie onto Crown land 1,000 metres up its northern shoulder overlapping Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s (RMR) Controlled Recreational Area, said Roe, who spent five years in Queenstown, New Zealand’s well known adventure tourism capital.
“I’m excited to get to this step in the development of the Revelstoke Adventure Park,” he said. “It will be a one-of-a-kind attraction, creating a greater awareness for Revelstoke further enticing visitors to discover our vibrant community throughout the spring, summer and early fall months.”
Phase One of the development will begin as soon its Adventure Tourism Tenure Management Plan is approved by the government, he said.
