A massive spiral lookout attraction has been proposed for the Malahat area, and the views sound jaw-dropping.
With proposed plans that are on track for an opening date of June 2020, the Malahat Skywalk will stand 40 metres tall and feature an accessible 650 metre long spiral ramp that provides stunning views of the Cowichan Valley all the way up to the top.
The skywalk is being created by BC company, A.Spire by Nature, which is led by the two founding members of the mainland’s Sea to Sky Gondola.
“Inspired by our exploration of elevated forest walks in Europe, we want to bring the concept of an accessible, environmentally sound and culturally significant tourism experience to Vancouver Island,” said A.Spire by Nature Principal, David Greenfield in a release.
“The Malahat Skywalk will offer opportunities for locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in local storytelling, cultural celebration and natural interpretive education as well as the stunning natural landscape and vistas of the Cowichan Valley and Finlayson Arm.”
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The new viewpoint will be located on the Malahat Nation’s traditional territory, just north of the Malahat Summit.
The project is a partnership between A.Spire by Nature and the Malahat Nation, combining nature and culture in one experience.
The proposed attraction hopes to tap into Victoria’s booming tourism industry, which sees 4.3 million visitors a year, and 600,000 at nearby Goldstream Provincial Park.
“The Malahat Skywalk is a project that our Nation is proud to partner on,” said Councillor, George Harry Jr. in a release. “Not only is it a tourism experience that speaks to sustainability and the connection to our land, but it will also provide opportunities for many generations of the Malahat Nation to come.”
“We look forward to telling the stories of our people and welcoming the visitors to our community through the Malahat Skywalk experience.”
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The rezoning application for the attraction has been submitted to the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and the Province is reviewing the project’s management plan.
If all goes well, construction will begin this fall, and the Malahat Skywalk will be open for business in June 2020.
