Sustainability in Action

When we are open to receiving suggestions from our stakeholders, good ideas result.

The Environmental Assessment process for the new freestyle skiing venue, in Cypress Provincial Park, revealed that a section of the popular Baden-Powell Trail went through the proposed site of the freestyle competition area. Neil Turner, VANOC's manager for project and environmental approvals, recalls how a local group, Friends of Cypress Provincial Park Society, came up with a solution.

"It was clear from the Environmental Assessment process that we would have to relocate the trail. Friends of Cypress had been involved with us in our planning, so they came forward with an idea that made sense for us, for trail users and for the park,” said Turner. “The section of the Baden-Powell Trail that was affected was not in an ideal location for users. It was on a steep section of gravel road, exposed to the sun — a real slog on a hot day. They suggested relocating the trail to a wooded area with greater ecological value that would provide both shade and the possibility of an educational experience for trail users."

VANOC also saw the benefit in this idea; we sent our environmental consultant to walk the proposed trail line with representatives from Friends of Cypress, BC Parks and Cypress Bowl Recreations Ltd. As Turner further explained, "There's an art to situating a trail in an ecologically-rich area. There’s an opportunity to expose people to the ecology of the site, but it must be done in a way that doesn't damage those features."