top of page

La Joie Dam Project Impact

The Engagement Survey is now closed. 
 

The Gold Bridge Community Club (GBCC), located in the heart of the Bridge River Valley, plays a vital role in fostering social and recreational opportunities for both community members and visitors.​  

 

BC Hydro is in the planning stages of the La Joie Dam Improvement Project. Early estimates show construction beginning in 2027, with most activities concluding in 2032. During this time, the club’s property is anticipated to be at the center of active construction zones.  

​

BC Hydro has provided funding to the GBCC to engage members and the broader community so we can hear from you on potential measures to mitigate project impacts on the club.

 

We launched an online survey for GBCC members and the wider community to provide input and feedback, anonymously, to the club and its Directors.

​​

The GBCC hosted an in-person engagement session at the club on Saturday, March 1st, at 10am to further explore the project impacts.   ​

​

The community input will help inform the club’s direction with respect to the BC Hydro La Joie Dam Improvement Project, but also broader strategic and operational direction for GBCC.

About the Gold Bridge Community Club

The Gold Bridge Community Club is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization in Electoral Area A of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. Located in Gold Bridge, the heart of the Bridge River Valley, the property is conveniently accessed by surrounding communities. We play a vital role in fostering social and recreational opportunities for both community members and visitors in the Bridge River Valley.​

 

Our mission goes beyond hosting events; we aim to strengthen the fabric of our community. We maintain the only golf course and gym facility in the Bridge River Valley and host various social events throughout the year. These events, which include the Easter Pancake Breakfast, Halloween Event, and Christmas Turkey Bingo, are not just for entertainment; they are designed to build relationships. They bring our community together, fostering a sense of unity and belonging, while providing opportunities to strengthen intergenerational relationships and create friendships. This contributes significantly to the community's quality of life and overall well-being.

La Joie Dam Improvement Project

Impact on the Gold Bridge Community Club

BC Hydro is in the planning stages of the La Joie Dam Improvement Project. The purpose of this project is to address safety risks related to the dam’s age and seismic vulnerabilities.

Early estimates show construction beginning in 2027, with most activities concluding in 2032. This timeline is subject to change based on the project’s progression.

​

During active construction, the club’s property, including the clubhouse, rental property and golf course, will be at the center of active construction zones, both at the dam site and quarry. The project team is anticipating the need to close access roads to the club for extended periods of time and potentially the duration of the project to meet safety requirements. If the club cannot be open while keeping people safe, access to the club will be closed for the duration of the project. 

​

Construction activities will include:

  • Drilling, blasting, and construction equipment

  • Continuous and increased construction traffic along local roads

  • Traffic control measures required to ensure safety

  • Large crews working and support staff

  • Night work

  • A secured construction laydown area

​

Impacts of construction activities are anticipated to include:

​

  • Limited access

  • Traffic control measures

  • Noise pollution

  • Air pollution (e.g., dust)

  • Light pollution

​​

BC Hydro’s priority is the safety of the public and workers during project construction. To meet safety requirements, BC Hydro is anticipating the need to close access roads to the club for extended periods of time and potentially the duration of the project. BC Hydro has indicated that GBCC members and the public would not be able to access the property and assets during those times.

BC Hydro Engagement with GBCC To Date

BC Hydro has been meeting with Directors of the GBCC to inform of the upcoming work and anticipated construction impacts identified in early project planning and gathering the club’s feedback to incorporate into project plans where possible.

​

BC Hydro has presented potential options to the club for consideration in response to these anticipated impacts:

​

a. Limited and restricted access: close access to the clubhouse, rental property, and golf course for extended periods during active construction and possibly provide temporary access when safe.

​

b. Club closure - temporary relocation: close the clubhouse, rental property, and golf course for the duration of the Improvement Project construction, with a temporary location provided.

​

c. Lease club land and facilities - temporary relocation: lease GBCC’s land and facilities to BC Hydro for construction laydown and office space for the duration of the Improvement Project construction, with a temporary location provided, and GBCC’s land and facilities returned to original or improved condition.

​

NOTE: For any option that requires temporary or permanent relocation, construction of a facility would occur prior to vacating the current premises so operations and events could continue uninterrupted.

 

The Gold Bridge Community Club Board of Directors is in the process of assessing the options presented by BC Hydro as well as discussing the potential for additional alternatives to investigate and consider, including the following:

​

d. Temporary relocation of club operations to (what would become) a permanent facility: full lease of GBCC land and facilities (including hall and golf course), resulting in loss of access to/use of golf course, for a maximum of 5 years to BC Hydro, provided:

  • BC Hydro builds a permanent structure on the Bralorne Ave/Fergusson Ave property* that is constructed prior to vacating the current premises so operations and events can continue uninterrupted in a newly constructed facility, and;

  • GBCC land and facilities (including clubhouse and golf course) are returned by BC Hydro in improved conditions. 

* The Bralorne Ave/Fergusson Ave property is currently a crown lease held by GBCC. It is anticipated that GBCC would apply to the Crown to transfer full title to the property to fulfill the option of construction of a permanent facility on this property.

​

NOTE: A new permanent facility would operate as GBCC until the existing property is returned to the club.

​

During this assessment, the club is keen to engage the community in exploring additional alternative options as well as ideas for improved or new amenities. We ask that suggestions for pools, ice/curling rinks, etc., be avoided, as the small community and GBCC would be responsible for the associated maintenance and operational costs, which we are not equipped to manage over the long term.

​

Please reach out to the club if you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts!

bottom of page