March 3, 2019
Earlier today, the Alterra Mountain Company and Winter Park Resort announced their plans of $16 million in new capital investments in the 2019-20 season.
The largest capital investment will be a $6 million replacement of the Sunnyside lift with a detachable high-speed six-pack lift, increasing uphill capacity by 800 people per hour. Also part of the improvement plans, over $1 million will be invested in summer operations with two new base-area ropes courses, an indoor/outdoor climbing wall, and landscaping improvements. Combined with last season’s capital investments, Winter Park will receive $50 million in capital investments over two years.
“It is wonderful to see Alterra’s continued capital investment in the Winter Park Resort and commitment to the Winter Park community,” said Mayor Jimmy Lahrman on behalf of the Town of Winter Park. “The investment of $16 million in the coming year builds upon the success of the new gondola and other improvements at the resort. The chair lift projects will improve skier experiences, while the investment in summer activities will make Winter Park a year-round destination. We are thrilled at the continued investment and the strong partnership between Alterra and the Winter Park community.”
Over the past few years the Town, Alterra and Resort have been working in partnership to strategically identify and fund needed improvements in areas ranging from affordable housing to community infrastructure that may be impacted by Alterra’s pending investments on the mountain.
Winter Park Affordable Housing Fund
In 2017, the Town of Winter Park partnered with the Grand Foundation and Winter Park Resort to create the Winter Park Affordable Housing Fund. The Fund aims to help full-time residents successfully live and work in the Winter Park area. Grant recipients can use the money towards rent, move-in assistance, and/or down payment assistance on housing in Winter Park and the Fraser Valley. As part of the “Neighbor-to-Neighbor” initiative, the impact of every dollar donated has been doubled through matches made by the Town and Resort (up to $250,000).
Community Rebranding Process
The Town, Winter Park Resort, Winter Park & Fraser Chamber, and other local stakeholders came together to help develop a new and fresh community brand. With the new growth and expansion of the community, key stakeholders realized it was time to review how Winter Park is marketed as a destination town.
Imagine Winter Park
Through an initiative called “Imagine Winter Park,” the Town updated its 2006 Town Plan. This Master Plan is a policy document that helps Town staff and elected officials make decisions that will reinforce the vision set for the community. The Plan was updated through a public process, which includes input from residents, stakeholders, and local organizations, such as Winter Park Resort. One of the main pillars that came out of the new plan was a focus on developing our world-class outdoor recreation offerings, which Alterra’s investments have a direct impact on.
Investment in Transportation Assets
The Town of Winter Park has been proud to partner with Winter Park Resort on improving other community assets over the past year including the community transit system, known as the Lift. The Resort contributes $300,000 annually to the Lift for capital infrastructure above and beyond the sales tax they collect.
The Town will be in close contact with Alterra and the Winter Park Resort as these improvements unfold to ensure that they fit with the Town’s vision for the community’s future. For more information on the planned improvements, visit www.winterparkresort.com.
