By JOSHUA THOMPSON-BOURRIE | Olympic Valley
The proposed redevelopment of the Squaw Valley Village is a hot topic for many of us who call this playground home. It’s a home that many of us discovered, compared with other towns, and then chose over somewhere else. We want to see the absolute best for ourselves, the place, and the people that we care about. It is for this reason that I am motivated to argue in favor of the redevelopment of the Squaw Valley Village. I currently hold the position of training supervisor at the Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Ski and Ride Schools. In my role, I mentor new and seasoned instructors, I help them meet their professional goals, and provide support and guidance while they are on snow with their guests. At Squaw/Alpine, the majority of our lessons happen on the beginner slope, and I have found that most of our newest mountain enthusiasts arrive prepared for a vacation rather than a true athletic endeavor. Add bad weather, slippery roads, and long lines, and you have a recipe that only the hardy can stomach. We have grown to expect, withstand, and even enjoy adverse situations in the pursuit of mountain fun, but it’s the dollars of our guests that fuel our future in this place we call home. The addition of more weather-resistant activities, lodging, shopping, and dining close to the slopes would make it easier for our guests to enjoy their stay, which leads to greater return visitation and ultimately better economic security for everyone who lives here. So it’s very important that our community looks at the whole picture, and here are some highlights:
The proposed redevelopment takes place on approximately 93 acres of already disturbed land, with the tallest building set at 96 feet. In the process, 21 acres of currently developed land will be returned to green space. When completed, the total project may add up to a $1 billion investment in our community through intermittent construction over a 25-year period. Of that amount, $179 million will be invested in community infrastructure such as bike paths, parks, trails, and playgrounds. New wells will improve water supply, and the rehabilitation of Squaw Creek should enhance downstream water quality. Six hundred year-round jobs will be added with 300 new beds (a net gain of 201) of affordable employee housing. At build-out, the economic impact will yield an additional $26 million annually in tax revenue that can be used to improve roads, parks, and transit services in the greater North Lake region.
Currently, we depend on a great 10-day forecast to entice regional visitors to fuel our local economy with their discretionary dollars, dollars that put food on our tables and gas in our tanks. But as we have seen, we can’t rely on great weather alone to pay our bills. With the proposed redevelopment we’ll see additional lodging options and more weather-resistant activities designed to entice guests who book their vacations in advance and stay longer. This means more midweek discretionary spending and ultimately better economic security for you, me, and everyone who calls North Lake Tahoe home.
~ Joshua Thompson-Bourrie, AKA “JTB,” lives in Olympic Valley and has been a Tahoe local for eight years. He is Squaw Valley’s Ski and Snowboard School Training Supervisor during the winter, and a cook during the summer.
