British Columbia

Jumbo Glacier Resort rushes to meet permit deadline

This was a big weekend for the builders of the Jumbo ski resort under construction near Invermere, B.C. who had to have 'substantial' work completed by Sunday, or risk losing their environmental certificate.

Environmentalists question whether 'substantial' work has been done in time for permit

The resort will be located on an old sawmill site in the Purcell Mountains. Once complete, it will feature up to 23 lifts and a 3,000-metre-high gondola. (Jumbo Glacier Resort)

This was a big weekend for the builders of the Jumbo Glacier ski resort under construction near Invermere, B.C. who had to have 'substantial' work completed by Sunday, or risk losing their environmental certificate.

And so cement trucks rolled up the Jumbo Valley all last week, pouring concrete foundations for a lift, day lodge and utility building.

"We just believe the work we've done and will complete will qualify as substantial," said vice president Grant Costello.

But  David Reid, the executive director of the West Kootenay EcoSociety that opposes the controversial project, says the recent work was rushed and is not nearly enough to qualify.

"We believe whatever they get done can't possibly considered substantial in the scope of the project they have proposed," said Reid earlier.

Ultimately the province will decide if what Jumbo's builders have done is substantial enough.

In the meantime the builders of the project can't continue until they have their environmental certificate renewed.

With files from Bob Keating