Since acquiring the historic Swiss Edelweiss Village in July of 2023, the new ownership group Montayne Capital Corp. (‘Montayne’), has been busy making critical improvements to the property that once housed the families of Swiss mountain guides employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Montayne’s top priority thus far has been to invest in much-needed safety-related items, including a comprehensive site assessment and ground stabilization test to ensure the security of the structures in their current locations.
A fire-smart strategy has also been implemented to protect the homes and surrounding areas during the fire season. Exterior renovations, including fresh paint, roofing repairs and deck replacements, have been completed with a commitment to preserving and recreating the original building designs as much as possible. Pest control measures have been taken to eliminate rodents and other unwelcome visitors, again helping to preserve the site.
In a recent statement, Montayne Partner and Founding Principal David MacIntosh announced their plans for the Village:
“Our current focus is to breathe life back into the structure of the Swiss Village and restore the chalets, preventing further deterioration. In the short term, Montayne plans to rent the chalets to cover the expense of the costly restoration and land work.
Furthermore, Montayne is actively nurturing a relationship with the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation with the aspiration of collaborating on the construction of a future Swiss Guides Great Hall that pays homage to the Edelweiss Swiss Guides at the site, for present and future generations to explore.”
For its part, the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation, a non-profit organization that preserves and promotes the site’s cultural significance, is pleased to be collaborating with Montayne in an advisory capacity. Dr. Ilona Spaar, President of the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation, said:
“We acknowledge the extensive work that Montayne has undertaken so far including the time-sensitive improvements of many of the at-risk elements of the buildings and site, and the restoration of the historic buildings which follow the original design to the best of their capacity.
Montayne recognizes the important role that the original residents of the village played in the development of a mountain culture that today is cherished by locals and visitors alike. And with that, they also understand the educational component inherent in the site. We are thrilled to work together with them to create a place that strives to encompass education, culture, and community.”
To further preserve the Village’s legacy, the previous owners generously donated original artifacts and furniture housed inside one of the chalets to the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation for safekeeping.
In the coming months, a digital catalogue of the artifacts will be created to create a display in the planned Swiss Guides Great Hall, which may also serve as a future meeting space for community members and events.
The renovated chalets may be available to rent as early as this summer. They should make a great addition to Golden and Area A’s tourism accommodations while preserving a critical part of our town’s identity.
