4.0 project description - british columbia · 4.0 project description cypress mountain ski area is...

CEAA Screening and BC Parks Level 2 Review Cypress Venue – Freestyle and Snowboard May 3, 2006

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4.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Cypress Mountain ski area is an existing long-established operating ski area

northwest of Vancouver in the District of West Vancouver (Figure 4-1) and is wholly

contained within Cypress Provincial Park. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter

Games will use the existing terrain of the Cypress Mountain ski area (i.e., Black

Mountain and base area) to host the Freestyle skiing and Snowboard events.

There will be limited permanent change from the Cypress Venue (the Project) on the

existing conditions on Black Mountain. The Olympic facilities will overlay and largely

be temporary as much of the installation will be removed after the Games. The

current ski facilities and established road access assures that major infrastructure

upgrading is not required. However, the venue development, Games operations

and post-Game legacy are required to comply with both the Cypress Provincial Park

Master Plan (Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks 1997) and the approved

Controlled Recreation Area Master Plan (CBRL 1996). To ensure long-term

viability, Cypress Bowl Recreations Ltd. (CBRL) the operator of Cypress Mountain

ski area, and BC Parks have committed to operating the remaining Olympic facilities

after the Games.

The Games venue planning process selected this site on the basis of the

established access, proximity to the proposed Vancouver Olympic Village, ski area

characteristics (e.g., snowfall/quality, weather, aspect and elevation), and the site

merits. The predicted venue capacity of approximately 12,000 people is similar to

that which currently exists on a typical day at Cypress Mountain. The proposed

operational plans are to close the ski operation to the general public during the

Games period and to take over the ski operation for the Games activities.

Some permanent infrastructure will be required for the Games and to support the

long-term operation of the facility, including:

• regrading of the parallel giant slalom snowboard course;

• new in-ground snowboard halfpipe;

• additional lighting for evening events;

• snowmaking system including a water reservoir;

• new Freestyle facility for aerial and moguls; and

• rerouting of the Baden-Powell recreational trail.


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4.1 Project Background and Rationale

4.1.1 Project History

In 1998, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) initiated a national search for a

city to represent Canada in the global competition for the 2010 Winter Olympic and

Paralympic Games. The Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Bid Society was formed by local

business leaders and supported by community, corporate and government partners

to respond to the COC search. In November 1998 the COC selected Vancouver-

Whistler as the winning national bid over Calgary and Québec City for 2010 Games.

The Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Bid Society was then formed to help bring the Games

to Canada.

The Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation (the Bid Corporation) was established in June

1999 to prepare the international bid. The Bid Corporation began to investigate

potential venues for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Greater Vancouver

Region and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. It was clear that all proposed

venues needed to meet and exceed guidelines established by the International

Sports Federation and address issues such as environmental and community

sustainability and Olympic capacities.

The Bid Corporation identified the Cypress Mountain ski area, within Cypress

Provincial Park, as a potential site for Freestyle skiing and Snowboard events. The

Bid Corporation then developed the Freestyle and Snowboard proposal for the

Cypress Venue to determine its overall suitability as the sports facility. The Bid

Corporation undertook a public process to study the venue development issues in

the park and the venue plan was also assessed under a separate biophysical

impact assessment completed by the Bid Corporation for all venue locations.

In addition to the venue plans, and a review of both the BC Parks Master Plan and

the Controlled Recreation Area Master Plan, the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation

undertook the following specific studies at Cypress Provincial Park to meet the

requirements of a Level 1 Environmental Assessment Screening under the BC

Parks Impact Assessment process: a hydrological and geotechnical assessment, a

preliminary environmental impact assessment, fish and fish habitat surveys in

Cypress Creek and a transportation review.

Since then there have been a number of venue design changes resulting from this

work and consultation with BC Parks, CBRL and stakeholders. These changes

include:

1. Initial plans had some training events occurring on Mount Strachan, whereas

all events will now be occurring on Black Mountain.


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2. The design and location of the snow making reservoir has changed from an

in-stream weir in Cypress Creek to an in-ground reservoir at the old gravel

borrow pit.

3. The need for constructing a new chairlift for the Freestyle events has been

eliminated. The Freestyle events will utilize the new Black Mountain chairlift

that will be constructed by CBRL.

4. The halfpipe has been moved to an area that will require less earth work

than previously planned, that will avoid impacting old growth forest and the

need to construct new ski terrain as CBRL will develop ski terrain previously

approved in the CRA Master Plan (see Section 2.3.2) .

5. The original length of the parallel giant slalom course has been shortened,

which will reduce impacts to old growth forest at the top of the run.

6. Overall parking will not be reduced. Development of the freestyle venue will

reduce current parking in the existing parking lot. To account for this parking

will be developed by CBRL on an existing lot currently used by CBRL for the

guest services and ski rental facility as approved in the CRA Master Plan

(see Section 2.3.2).

7. The Baden-Powell trail will be re-routed in a timely manner to ensure that

park users will be able to access the top of Black Mountain during the

construction period.

These design changes will not only reduce financial costs to the project but will also

reduce the environmental effects associated with the venue development.

4.1.2 Alternative Means of Carrying out the Project

Prior to selecting the Cypress Mountain ski area as the venue for Freestyle skiing

and Snowboard events, the 2010 Olympic Bid Corporation evaluated Whistler-

Blackcomb, Grouse Mountain, Seymour Mountain and Cypress Provincial Park as

potential venue locations. Developing a new ski area and venue location for this

venue was not considered a viable alternative. The criteria used in the site selection

decision-making process were:

1. Availability of the site during February 2010, and the preceding two to three

years for training and hosting of international Freestyle skiing and

Snowboard events;

2. Access to the site via an all-season, two to three lane paved road;

3. Suitable northeast facing terrain for Freestyle skiing and Snowboard events;


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4. Existing or partial infrastructure to host Olympic events (e.g., base facilities,

spectator seating, parking area, ski lifts and runs, power supply, solid waste

facilities and potable water) in order to minimize environmental effects;

5. Proximity to Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler;

6. Snowmaking capabilities; and

7. A provision of an Olympic Legacy by leaving portions of the facility for future

community use.

Whistler-Blackcomb resort management indicated that there would be no available

terrain to host the Freestyle and Snowboard events given their commitment to other

Olympic events (VANOC 2005). Grouse Mountain was eliminated due to its unique

access, while Seymour Mountain lacked sufficient suitable terrain (Ogilvie 2005).

The Cypress Mountain ski area fulfilled the requirements. Locating this venue at the

Cypress Mountain ski area also reduced the transportation needs and issues

associated with locating these events at Whistler.

The proposed Freestyle and Snowboard sites at Cypress will enhance the area by

creating more terrain suited to skiing and providing CBRL with a permanent

snowmaking facility, while minimizing effects to the environmental setting. CBRL

will retain ownership of the facility after the Games. The mogul course will become

one of Cypress’s premier mogul runs in addition to being available for the Freestyle

Ski Club training and competition venue. The aerial jump site will become a training

venue for the Freestyle Ski Club and can be used for new forms of Freestyle skiing

and Snowboard events such as ‘Big Air’ competitions. Both sites will be able to host

future Canadian Series, NorAms and World Cup Freestyle competitions.

4.2 Project Location

Cypress Mountain ski area is located in Cypress Provincial Park in West Vancouver,

12 km off the Trans-Canada Highway (Figure 4-1). It is made up of two mountains:

Mount Strachan with an elevation of 1432 m and Black Mountain with an elevation

of 1193 m.

Cypress Provincial Park is bordered by the Capilano Lake Municipal Watershed to

the east and northeast and Highway 99 and Howe Sound to the west and northwest.

The District of West Vancouver borders the southern boundary of the park, in part,

but the Municipal Boundary runs east from the point at which Montizambert Creek

enters Howe Sound, and subsequently runs through the ski area across the south

slope of Mt Strachan. The Cypress Mountain ski area within the park is accessed by

a 16 km long three lane, paved road, the Cypress Bowl Road, which connects to

Highway 99 and provides access to Whistler and Vancouver.


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4.2.1 Project Facilities and Design

The proposed project is expected to occupy up to 4.9 ha of land in the Cypress

Mountain ski area. The venue will utilize existing facilities as much as possible;

however, there will be construction of new facilities. In addition, the venue will utilize

temporary facilities that will be erected specifically for the Games period. These

facilities will provide a service area, spectator seating, broadcast compounds and

weather protection. Major permanent facilities to be developed include the

Snowboard and Freestyle venues and a snow making system. The outline for the

proposed facilities, including the ski runs and the reservoir for snow making

purposes, is provided in Figure 4-2. Included in the figure are the planned locations

for the pump houses as well as the water pipelines associated with the snow making

system. In the centre of the figure is the outline for the new day lodge that is not

part of this project, but will be built by CBRL. It is provided here for reference only.

For the Cypress Venue initial design and planning indicates that course construction

and improvements will be very much reduced in terms of the need for cut and fill

and any resulting blasting, due to the high suitability of the existing terrain. Ski area

planners typically avoid building ski trails and roads on unstable areas of mountain

slope. Using the natural topography with minimal earth works and blasting is

standard practice. Cut and fill requirements for construction of any on mountain

developments will always be kept to a minimum to reduce both cost and

disturbance.


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4.2.1.1 Snowboard Facilities

The Snowboard events are comprised of parallel giant slalom (PGS), snowboard

cross and halfpipe (Figure 4-3). The Olympic competition site for these events will

use existing terrain with minor modifications. The parallel giant slalom, halfpipe and

snowboard cross events will be situated on existing ski runs on Black Mountain and

will utilize the Eagle Express chairlift. Clearing of vegetation for the Snowboard

facilities will be minimized and limited to the removal of shrub and brush. Parts of

the existing ski runs will be regraded. The extent of the areas to be cleared is

included on Figure 4-3. Depending on final course designs, some trees may require

removal; however, these will be addressed on a tree by tree basis through

discussions with BC Parks, CBRL and stakeholders. Course regrading and halfpipe

construction will employ conventional excavation machinery (e.g., cat 300 or equal

excavator).

The PGS course will be situated on the Trumpeter, Gully and Fork runs. The total

length of the course will be 550 m at an average slope of 18 degrees (Figure 4-4).

The PGS course will use existing terrain and any operational space (i.e., for course

personnel or camera equipment) will be captured within the existing ski terrain.

Figure 4-4 PGS Course from the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City


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The snowboard cross course will be built along the existing Fork run and will overlap

portions of the PGC course. It will utilize existing terrain. Corners and jumps for the

course will be constructed out of snow.

The halfpipe course will be built on the Panorama run and is designed to Federation

Internationale de Ski (FIS) course requirements and be 4.5 - 4.7 m high, 195 m long

and 31 m wide, with a slope of 16 - 17 degrees. It will be an in-ground pipe and will

have lighting for night events (Figure 4-5). A transportable judges’ hut

(approximately 3 m by 9 m) will be constructed for the halfpipe competitions. This

hut will be moveable but will remain on-site after the Games.

Figure 4-5 Halfpipe from the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City

Utilization of the Panorama run will impact the current ski connection to the

Windjammer run. Therefore, the Windjammer run will be upgraded to improve skier

access to the Eagle Chairlift. Upgrading of the Windjammer run is an activity that

was previously approved under the CRA Master Plan and would have been

completed by CBRL (see Section 2.3.2) irrespective of the Cypress Venue project.


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4.2.1.2 Freestyle Facilities

The Freestyle events include moguls and aerials. The proposed moguls and aerials

courses will be situated in an area of second growth forest adjacent to the existing

parking area and in close proximity to the Snowboard facilities. The course

construction will include permanent judges’ stands for aerials and moguls and a

permanent start hut for moguls. The mogul judges and start huts will be

approximately 3 m by 9 m. The aerial judges’ stand will be approximately 3 m by 12

m. The mogul course will be 250 m long and 40 m wide with a 27% average slope

and will be constructed so as to also run dual moguls for World Cup events before

and after the Games. For the Freestyle events, the aerial jump hill will be built to

FIS specifications for in-run, table, landing and corral lengths and angles.

Approximately 5 m from the edge of the field of play will also be required to provide

access for course and media personnel. Lift access will be by the new high speed

chair that will be constructed by CBRL under the CRA Master Plan.

Course development will require the clearing of approximately 1.6 ha of forest. This

area is comprised of 1.2 ha of second growth forest and 0.4 ha of shrub and brush

(Figure 4-6). The course has been designed to reduce effects to old growth trees.

While the top end of the moguls run appears to encroach on old growth forest,

based on the current design, no old growth trees will be removed. However, in

order to meet FIS specifications one or two trees may be cleared. These will be

addressed on a tree by tree basis through discussion with BC Parks, CBRL and

stakeholders. Some blasting of the cliff adjacent to the parking lot will be required in

order to grade the course to meet FIS specifications.


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4.2.1.3 Snow Making Facilities

In order to ensure an adequate snow cover for the event, snowmaking capability is

required for the Freestyle and Snowboard events. Snowmaking facilities will be

installed to ensure the highest quality snow surface to meet the needs of Olympic

athletes and local skiers and snowboarders. In keeping with the stated principles of

sustainability, the snowmaking system is designed to be energy efficient and have

low operating noise levels. The snow making facilities will include an

impoundment/reservoir area, underground piping and snowmaking stations.

Reservoir

The snow making reservoir will be located in an old gravel pit north of the

Montizambert Creek domestic pump house. Initial plans were to have an instream

weir within Cypress Creek to act as the reservoir for the snow making system. It

was thought that this may result in greater environmental effects. The current site

was selected because it has already undergone some disturbance and can be

connected with an underground pipeline system that can be built within existing

roads and trails.

The reservoir volume will be a minimum of 20,000 m3 and the impoundment will be

approximately 50 m by 130 m and six meters deep. The reservoir area and

associated work space will require approximately 1 ha. This entire area has been

previously disturbed by gravel borrow pit activities that took place in the 1970’s.

Portions of the area have naturally revegetated and there are a few small drainages

through the area that have assisted in transforming the area into an early

succession wetland. The area is also being impacted by alder (Alnus spp.) which is

changing the structure of the natural ecosystem. Of the area to be cleared 0.8 ha is

comprised of second growth forest/emerging wetland and 0.2 ha is shrub and brush.

Figure 4-7 the edge of the reservoir as well as the limits of fill to the south, west and

east.

The reservoir will be comprised of an earth berm that will be constructed from

excavated material from the site. The final layout of the reservoir will be done so cut

and fill volumes are approximately balanced. The reservoir will be lined with an 80

mil high density polyethylene material. It will be installed over a layer of 16 oz

geotextile for padding. Both layers will be anchored in a 60 cm deep trench around

the perimeter. The inside slope will be a 3:1 ratio as shown in Figure 4-8, which

depicts a cross section of the reservoir layout.

A 6 m wide crest will surround the reservoir. This will accommodate the anchor

trench for the liner. The outside banks of the berm will be graded a 2 horizontal: 1

vertical. These slopes will be revegetated after construction is complete. Topsoil


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removed from the original grade at the commencement of construction will be

replaced on these outside banks.


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The outlet to the Reservoir Pump House will be situated at the lowest point of the

reservoir floor. It will consist of two 30 cm outlet pipes and a 10 cm air pipe. These

pipes will be set in a concrete slab. Fabricated screens will be bolted to the

concrete over the pipe openings. The liner material will be bolted to the concrete

with predrilled aluminum bars and rubber gaskets and will be caulked to ensure a

watertight seal.

The berms will be compacted to engineer’s specifications. A spillway will be located

in native ground at the north end of the reservoir to direct any overflow from the

compacted berm.

VANOC has completed an Operation, Maintenance and Surveillance Manual which

serves as a guiding document for the operation of the proposed snowmaking water

reservoir. It defines procedures for the safe operation, maintenance and surveillance

of the reservoir and all its components. Furthermore, if deemed appropriate through

the water licence and dam safety review, a fence will be installed that surrounds the

reservoir. The fence will be constructed on the 6 m berm. The outside areas of the

berms will be replanted with vegetation determined in consultation with BC Parks.

In addition an Emergency Preparedness Plan has been completed which provides

Cypress Mountain personnel, Provincial Emergency Program Officials, the police

and other regional officials with the means to respond to an emergency. It allows for

emergency officials to establish warning and evacuation procedures for the

protection of downstream facilities. Both plans are required as part of the process of

licensing the reservoir under the provincial legislation of the Water Act.

Pump Houses

The reservoir will be filled with water from Cypress Creek. The Creek Pump House

will be positioned in the Cypress Creek streambed adjacent to the current day

lodge, where Cypress Creek runs through a large multi-plate culvert. The Creek

Pump House will consist of a prefabricated structure that is positioned under the end

of the culvert. This structure (approximately 6 m x 4 m x 4 m) will act as a sump and

will have an outlet at the low point that is sized to allow the minimum required

release of water downstream as per water license requirements (Figure 4-9).

Sloped grizzly bars over top of the sump will deflect larger debris (and will be

designed to avoid the risk of trapping small animals). This style of intake is being

used because it can be installed with virtually no disturbance to or turbidity in the

creek downstream. Two 30 horsepower (HP) submersible pumps will be positioned

in the sump. A level sensor will be used to control the flow from this pump house

based on the available water in the creek. Water will be pumped from the Creek

Pump House to the reservoir.


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A pump house will also be constructed at the reservoir (i.e., Reservoir Pump House)

to pump water from the reservoir to a third pump house (i.e., Main Pump House)

that will distribute water to the snow making stations located adjacent the Freestyle

and Snowboard courses.


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The Reservoir Pump House will be built into the south toe of the reservoir berm. A

single stage horizontal shaft pump with a 125 HP motor will pump water from the

reservoir during snow making operations through a low pressure line to the Main

Pump House.

The Main Pump House will be positioned at the bottom of the Eagle Express

Chairlift. It will be constructed within a partially sunken building located between the

maze area for the Eagle Express chair and Cypress Creek. The building will have a

flat roof at the same elevation as, and merging with, the maze area of the lift. The

building will be approximately 6 m by 10 m and sized to fit the pumping, mechanical

and electrical equipment, as well as a control room. Walls on three sides will be

concrete will earth back fill. This will allow pipes to exit through the wall directly into

the ground. Four vertical turbine pumps will be used to pressurize the snowmaking

system. Each pump will have a 400 HP electric motor. The pump control will

incorporate a variable frequency drive to regulate output pressure when the system

is not at full capacity.

Water Pipelines

Figure 4-10 depicts the layout for the entire snow making system. A pipeline system

will be installed that is comprised of low pressure and high pressure lines (Figure 4-

10). Low pressure lines (green line in Figure 4-10) will connect the Creek Pump

House to the Reservoir Pump House and the Reservoir Pump House to the Main

Pump House. There will also be a low pressure line from the Creek Pump House to

the Main Pump House. High pressure lines (thin blue lines adjacent the ski runs in

Figure 4-10) will supply water from the Main Pump House to the snow making

stations that will be distributed adjacent the Freestyle and Snowboard courses. The

low pressure lines will be fused high density polyethylene and the high pressure

lines will be steel in order to withstand the higher water pressures. The excavation

and trenching for the low pressure lines will occur on existing service roads and

trails along the base of the mountain. The high pressure lines will be installed on

the edge of the ski runs. It is anticipated that materials will be excavated using

conventional equipment (e.g., cat 330). Trenches for the low pressure lines will be

dug to allow a minimum of one meter of cover over the pipeline.

A primary and secondary electrical system will be installed that will distribute power

to the pumps and snow making stations. The primary electrical consists of high

voltage power feeds to transformer locations at the Freestyle and Snowboard

facilities and the Main Pump House. The secondary electrical system will distribute

power to the snow making stations on the courses. This consists of a distribution

rack, at each transformer, feeding 300 Amp disconnects. All components will be

CSA approved. Electrical conduits will be placed underground.


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Snow Making Stations

The initial design plans are to use ‘FAN’ type snow guns (Figure 4-11). These snow

guns are quieter and more energy efficient that air/water systems. Fully automatic

guns will be used that are able to start; self adjust, shut down and drain on their

own. Seventy five percent of the snow guns will be tower mounted to improve

performance. The other 25% will be carriage type that can be moved by grooming

machines. Approximately 32 stations will be set up for the Snowboard facilities and

12 stations will be set up for the Freestyle facilities.

Figure 4-11 Examples of carriage-mounted (left) and tower-mounted snow guns.

4.2.1.4 Temporary Facilities

Temporary facilities will be constructed for spectator viewing consisting of temporary

seating for 6,000 to 8,000 people at each event. Additional temporary facilities will

include tents for volunteers and athletes; broadcast and media compounds,

broadcast support facilities, spectator services, parking spaces for Games officials

and the Olympic family (Figure 4-12 and Figure 4-13).


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Figure 4-12 Temporary seating at the Snowboard venue for the 2002 Winter Games in

Salt Lake City.

Figure 4-13 Temporary construction from the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.


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Services, utilities and plumbing will need to be installed, along with auxiliary facilities

such as start and finish structures, weather protection, guest services building and

warm-up areas for the athletes.

Approximately 120 portable toilets will be required for the Cypress Venue. Sewage

from these toilets will be pumped out on a daily basis. Temporary kitchen facilities

will be used for food services. Water for these kitchens will be trucked in and stored

within water tanks that are typically built into the kitchens. These kitchens will utilize

propane fuel for cooking. This fuel will be stored in large portable tanks.

Construction of the temporary facilities is scheduled to commence in the summer of

2009 and be completed in January 2010, with removal during the following summer

and fall. All temporary facilities will be located in previously disturbed areas.

VANOC will consult with regional health authorities regarding plans for potable

water transportation, use and safety before commencing operations.

4.2.1.5 Baden-Powell Recreational Trail

The construction of the Freestyle facilities will alter the existing Baden-Powell trail

and would impair access to the top of Black Mountain for recreational hikers. As a

result, the Baden-Powell trail is being re-routed to the north side of the Black

Mountain ski area (Figure 4-14a and 4-14b). CBRL initiated the construction of the

lower 1000 m of the trail reroute in the summer of 2005. The upper portion of the

proposed rerouted trail follows an old hiking trail that leads to Cabin Lake. This

portion has been identified as the “Old Baden-Powell Trail” by Freeman (1985). This

portion of the trial is currently not maintained, and is scheduled to be upgraded in

the spring of 2006.

4.0 project description - british columbia · 4.0 project description cypress mountain ski area is...

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