“ "

Grouse

Heritage

ANCOUVER - $1.5 million renovation
at Grouse Mountain focused on restor-
ing the heritage and ambience of the
original 1926 chalet has just been completed.
“Grouse Mountain was the first mountain
chosen by early Vancouverites for its superior
recreation opportunities”, said Grouse
Mountain president Stuart McLaughlin. “Our
intent was to recapture the pioneer spirit of yes-
teryear and have architect Herb Challier capture
» ‘that charm in his designs”.
_ The original chalet was built in 1926 and
burned down in 1963. It was replaced by the
: existing building in 1966. The new design
incorporates a stone exterior, skylights, a fire-
- place lounge in a new main lobby area,
_ increased seating and expanded window areas
. in the Bar 98 Bistro Restaurant, and new
private function facilities.

In addition to the chalet renovations,
“jmprovements to the ski area include a 50 per-
ent increase in snow making output, terrain

; “improvements on the back runs, additional
“grooming and upgrades to the popular
“Enchanted Kingdom Snowboard Park. com-
‘plete with its world standard half pipe.
«Grouse Mountain, the attraction dates back ,
to 1894. In that year, a party of hikers ventured
up the slopes and upon shooting a Blue Grouse,
named the rugged local summit “Grouse
Mountain”. . 7
By the 1920's, when motor touring became a

Mountain
| Renovation Highlights

favourite pastime, W.C. Shelley foresaw the
attraction of the mountain’s wilderness setting
and panoramic view and set the wheels in
motion for a mountain roadway. By 1924, a
paved toll road, Mountain Highway, was com-
pleted to the top of Grouse Mountain.

From the late 1940's until the mid 1960's
Grouse Mountain enjoyed a series of major
changes. North America's first double chairlift,
the Village Chair, was installed in 1949 and
then, in 1965, Canada’s largest aerial tramway,
known today as the Blue Skyride, was complet-
ed, Both addition provided easier public access
to the mountain-top.

By 1975, Grouse Mountain was fast becom-
ing a famous Vancouver landmark. To handle
customer's needs, Grouse Mountain developed
ski lifts, installed lights for night skiing, snow-
making, a rental shop, a new chalet and intro-
duced the Ski School. Construction began in
1976 on the Super Skyride, which more than
doubled Grouse Mountain's up-hill capacity.
Not only did the Skyride become Canada’s
largest and most modern trarnway, but is also
known for the thrilling ride itself, which whisks
people to an elevation of 3700 feet in a mere
6-8 minutes.

Today, Grouse Mountain offers something
for everyone... scenic wonders, outdoor recre-
ation, mountain dining, the aerial tramway, and
the Theatre In The Sky. It continues to develop
into one of Vancouver's outstanding attractions.

mber 25, 1996 - North Shore News - 2

>
CONGRATULATIONS
GROUSE MOUNTAIN

We're PRrovup
TO BE PART
OF YOUR TEAM

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

303 1226 Homer Sirect
Vanceuvor, BC Canada
Facsimile: 664 684-6819
Telephone: 604 684-4774

.@) ie) ‘O

SS