Well, in case you were beginning to come around to the idea that Squaw’s new ownership is going to be revamping lift operations and sprucing up the old buildings at the base of the mountain, KSL decided to lift the skirt on some more development plans that might twist your comfort dials yet again. Just as soon as you manage to get both cheaks on the seat they scoot the bench a little further don’t they…?
In an email from the President and CEO of Squaw Valley, KSL notified employees that a Pre Application for Development has been submitted to Placer County to expand resort amenities in the southern parking lot and other areas designated for development under the Squaw Valley General Plan. The email sited the goal to create “a better balance between day skiers and destination visitors which will require buildings, infrastructure and additional services.”
I’m not sure exactly what that means but it sounds like a few more hotels, condos and restaurants, maybe a ferris wheel or two, shoot why not throw in another 18 holes and a water park? Squaw’s got plenty of water to support all the new development right?
Chances are the water question might become an issue. The amount of available water was a concern back when Intrawest scratched development plans for a 3rd and 4th phase of the Village at Squaw. When KSL first arrived in Squaw they denied any interest in developing phases 3 and 4 of the Intrawest plan but that seems to be changing now.
The Squaw Valley Public Services District (SVPSD) operates under a pretty conservative rule when it comes to water use. They try to maintain the capacity to service all of their Squaw Valley customers without having to pump from their primary well except to accommodate periodic elevations in base demand. We’ll see how all of this plays out in the years to come but at the moment it looks like we’ll be hearing saws and hammers in the valley for some time.
Here is text from the email buy President and CEO of Squaw Valley, Andy Wirth, to employees:
I wanted to notify all of you that our company is taking an initial step to begin the process of planning the future of Squaw Valley ’s base area so it supports the resort’s future sustainability. In that light, we’re getting the ball rolling by filing a Pre-Application for Development with Placer County today. [Agust 18th, 2011]
The Squaw Valley General Plan is the existing legal document which establishes the intended uses of various parcels within Squaw Valley and has been in place for over two decades. Most of the land owned by Squaw Valley nearby the base of the mountain has been designated by this plan (by Placer County ) for future development for many years. With this filing, we will be confirming Squaw Valley ’s intention to create a consolidated, comprehensive plan for the moderate to long term view of development of this property.
The conceptual plan will proceed through a variety of actions including public review and environmental analysis. Keep in mind that this comprehensive plan will contain a vision for the end-result; call it the way that Squaw Valley might look twenty years from now. While we seek to define the long term vision now, the implementation and actual construction will likely occur over many years, in numerous phases.
In a nutshell, the pre-application for development packet contemplates changing and improving the area in the southern portion of the base area by creating lodging, services and amenities where existing parking lots are currently located. At this initial stage, we’re thinking that most of the parking as we know it today will be relocated into structures and/or other locations which will improve circulation, allowing Squaw to place a greater emphasis on pedestrian use and transit solutions.
One of our goals is to have a better balance between day skiers and destination visitors which will require buildings, infrastructure and additional services. At this point we have basic goals in mind with a lot of specifics still to work out. It would be fair to say that we’re just at the incipient stage of this effort!
This is a very exciting moment for Squaw Valley , (albeit just an initial step), and we’ll have more info for you, as we get further along in the process.
Best regards,
Andy
Unofficial Networks previously posted this youtube video describing some of the plans that KSL has for Squaw over the next 5 years but talk of the 20 year plan is new.
