Incorporating town could thwart plans to add lodging, retail to Squaw Valley’s base
By Ed Fletcher, Sacramento Bee
Concerned by a major development proposal, a group of Squaw Valley activists say they have more than enough signatures needed to start the process of turning the tiny ski resort community into the new city of Olympic Valley.
The process is expected to cost in excess of $100,000 and take at least two years.
Owners of Squaw Valley want to further develop the base area. Photo/LTN file
“I don’t see big obstacles once we become a town,” said Fred Ilfeld, one of the lead proponents of cityhood.
Olympic Valley might be a small town, but it’s a community filled with people who have accomplished much in their lives, said Ilfeld. He did not foresee problems electing a capable council.
Incorporation is a response to the December 2011 announcement by Squaw Valley’s owners of a proposed phased development of 101.5 acres, adding more than 1,000 lodging units and 47,000 square feet of commercial space.
Squaw CEO Andy Wirth said while his organization doesn’t have an official position on incorporation, he has concerns.
Well KSL wants to Build Hotel and More important Time Share Condo’s on what is now the Day parking for Squaw Valley. And an Indoor Water Park with Fake rivers??!!!
they need to be stopped. They want to black access to Day Skiers. and push high Dollar World Travelers into the resort, with access preference to the Resort Guests and Condo owners.
Its a surreal Disaster
Close the high camp pool and the HC restaurants (cost too much) and turn it into small 2-bed and 4-bed ensuited rooms. Mix the accomodation up in the village with upmarket backpacker + timeshare exchange + fractionals + hotel. Build multi-level day parking in the village or else the place ‘dies’ at night. Expsnd club and community programs and build ‘moral owners’ into a core group of regulars. PS My hill has 10,000 beds (more than SV) full in peak on weekdays and w/ends + day trippers. SV has 6,700 beds, 12,000 skier days in peak times + hopes they’ll get 2000 bums in 1000 x 2 bedroom places that slepp 4 -6. That occupancy is not viable.