Construction of a $15-million lookout attraction on the Malahat has yet to begin, but work is underway on the access road from the Trans-Canada Highway.
The Malahat Skywalk will feature a 650-metre-long wooden pathway that spirals from an Arbutus forest to a 40-metre-high lookout commanding views of Finlayson Arm, Salt Spring Island, Mount Baker and other landmarks.
The site is north of the Malahat Chalet on Malahat Nation land. Completion of the skywalk and its welcome centre — which will include stores and a coffee shop — is scheduled for the spring of 2021. Construction is set to begin in early April.
Building of the 900-metre access road will have no impact on the highway for now, but there could be intermittent traffic stops as construction nears the highway area. They would be between Whittaker and Bamberton roads between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., but not on a daily basis and no longer than 15 minutes.
Once the road is completed in late March, equipment and supplies can be brought in, project manager Ken Bailey said.
Bailey said the height of the skywalk will be the equivalent of about 10 storeys. “Think of yourself walking in the inside of a spiral,” he said. “Almost like if you’re walking up the inside of an ice-cream cone.
He said the grade is designed for accessibility, and the walkway will be wide enough for two wheelchairs. There will also be benches where people can stop and rest, Bailey said.
At the top, those who make the trek will be rewarded with a 360-degree view, he said, noting the entire structure will be made of wood, save for items such as metal supports. It is being built by Kinsol, a Bamberton company.
“We’re really proud of the fact that we were able to find somebody local to construct it,” he said.
The skywalk is a collaboration between the Malahat Nation and A. Spire by Nature — a company that specializes in outdoor experiences. The company’s founders helped develop the Sea to Sky Gondola.
The skywalk is a separate entity and is all privately funded, Bailey said. He said the nation already has a number of commercial enterprises, and the skywalk will be another economic driver. Tourism-training programs are being developed with the nation as part of the project, which is expected to create construction jobs.
He said it’s hoped the skywalk becomes a source of pride for local people, as well as a spot to bring friends and family.
“Throughout the world, there’s other examples of these structures, not necessarily in that sort of spiral.”
