Callaghan Valley, BC, Canada

Overview

Working with the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation, BHA undertook the task of incorporating the proposed Nordic and ski jumping venue plans in preparation for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games into a comprehensive plan for the Callaghan Valley, located 20km south of Whistler, B.C. The intent of the planning exercise was to integrate a variety of existing and proposed land uses into a long-term, sustainable vision that would form a part of the legacy of the 2010 Olympic Games. The land uses at issue included a number of commercial recreation and resource tenures, the proposed Olympic facilities, and public access concerns relating to the 63,000 acres of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, old growth forests and snow capped mountains contained within the valley.

Following the review of the existing site conditions and relevant land use regulations, BHA facilitated a series of community consultations that ultimately shaped the vision and objectives for the valley. With community feedback acting as a guide, BHA developed a range of concepts that detailed the phased development of the Callaghan Valley during and after the Olympics. From this, the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation and local stakeholders came together to select the preferred option.

Today, the Callaghan Valley remains a prime, year-round backcountry recreation area with hiking, fishing, canoeing and camping opportunities in the summer and ski touring and snowshoeing in the winter. In addition, it is home to the legacy trails network at the Whistler Olympic Park that provide training and competition venues for biathlon, ski jumping and cross-country skiing.