Proposed neighbourhood beside Fernie Alpine Resort focuses on preservation

232 acres of private land to be dedicated to the Elk Valley

Galloway Lands is sharing its vision for a rural neighbourhood beside Fernie Alpine Lodge in a proposal that includes a substantial dedication of natural open space to the people of the Elk Valley.

“We are committed to preserving the natural beauty of the Galloway Lands. We have worked through a deliberate long-term master plan that will set this neighbourhood apart. A keen regard for nature and a strong emphasis on preservation respects the natural environment while allowing for the creation of a unique community,” says Reto Barrington, Handshake Holdings President.

Galloway Lands is sharing its vision for a rural neighbourhood beside Fernie Alpine Resort in a proposal that includes a substantial dedication of natural open space to the people of the Elk Valley.

“We are committed to preserving the ecological values and the natural beauty of the Galloway Lands. We have worked through a deliberate long-term master plan that will set this neighbourhood apart. A keen regard for nature and a strong emphasis on preservation respects the natural environment while allowing for the creation of a unique community,” says Reto Barrington, Handshake Holdings President.

Galloway Lands holds 457 acres of land adjacent to Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR). The proposal includes an offer to the Fernie Nordic Society to receive, for nominal cost, 232 acres of the land for preservation as public open space with public trails for all season use.  This land would connect the Nordic trails with FAR.

The dedication also ensures the preservation of natural habitats for wildlife and protection of 1.6 kilometers of Lizard Creek. The Lizard Creek setbacks will exceed RDEK and BC requirements.

“We have listened to residents and addressed the concerns that we heard over the public engagement process. While the Galloway Lands site is a popular recreational destination, the area is also home to wildlife, and surprisingly, this land is currently not protected,” Barrington said. “We believe in being good neighbours and good stewards of the land, so we are seeking to ensure the most environmentally significant portions of land become a protected.”

Galloway Lands filed an application with RDEK for the proposed neighbourhood that would see the area transformed into a neighbourhood of 90 large lots with specific building envelopes pre-determined by the developer to maximize tree retention.

Galloway Lands conducted environmental studies and held an extensive public consultation process, meeting with community groups since April 2021.