Replacement lift Gassen - Richenen

The project

The existing detachable 2-seater chairlift Gassen - Richenen (1st section) of Bellwald Sportbahnen AG has to be replaced. The replacement is necessary mainly due to the various failures of the current chairlift and to ensure an optimal connection with the gondola Fiesch - Bellwald. In addition, this chairlift no longer meets today's requirements for guest comfort and is very cost-intensive.

Volker goes Bewaud

Current status

Time Table

Presentiation valley station

Milestones

When	What
March 2022 Receipt of the partial order	It arrived on 29.3.2022. The partial approval to carry out demolition, excavation and installation work for the SBI Gassen Richenen railway project. We expect the definitive planning approval from mid-April 2022. We look forward to being able to tackle the start work as planned from 4.4.2022!
January 2022 Farewell & New Start	All relevant statements (cantonal and federal) for our railway project of the 6er CLD Gassen-Richenen have now been received. The railway system has been ordered and is in production, the master builder is busy with the detailed planning, the demolition work has already been planned, the application for early commencement of construction is being processed and the final building permit is expected in March 2022. So it's official: our "old lady" will retire on Sunday, 3.4.2022 after just under 30 years (in the current version) and around 8,900,442 passenger frequencies carried. This is the last chance in the world to take a trip up or down the mountain with a VonRoll VH400light.
December 2021 Update Status of the project	The three objections to the partial revision were rejected by the general assembly in autumn 2021 and not taken further by the objectors. The opinions of the cantonal departments arrived at the beginning of December 2021, two months late. These resulted in certain homework, but no project killers. The federal government's comments are still outstanding, although it can be assumed that these will essentially be based on the cantonal comments. Once these have been received, the planning approval procedure can be considered complete. The final building permit is expected in spring 2022. This means that all signs are still green to keep to the scheduled timetable and to complete it with the opening of the new 6-seater chairlift Gassen-Richenen in December 2022.
August 2021 No objection to the PGV plan project	After expiry of the objection period, no objections were received within the framework of the PGV for the new Gassen-Richenen chairlift.
July 2021 Three objections partial revision	Objection deadline: Unfortunately, after the expiry of the objection deadline, we have to take note of three objections regarding the required partial revision of the municipality's zoning plan and building and zoning regulations. This procedure is indispensably dependent on our railway project.
July 2021	Initial feedback from the cantonal departments has been received. So far, no major concerns have been expressed. The complete comments of the cantonal departments (Valais) are expected by the end of September 2021.
23. June 2021 Total funding guaranteed	The State Council of the Canton of Valais decides to approve the application for a GFBB loan of CHF 1.9 million and an NRP loan of CHF 3.353 million. The total financing of CHF 10.63 million is thus guaranteed!
June 2021 public publication	On Friday 18.6.2021 the project 6-seater chairlift Bellwald Gassen - Richenen will be publicly published!
April 2021 Enter plan approval!	On Friday, 30.4.2021, the federal folders of the plan approval procedure were handed over in person to the relevant federal and cantonal authorities (submission PGVI).
March 2021 Resolution of the AK increase!	The shareholders of Bellwald Sportbahnen AG approve the increase of the share capital with an overwhelming majority at the extraordinary general meeting on 27 March 2021.
February 2021	The Cantonal Bank of Valais (WKB) was awarded the contract for debt financing and is assured, provided that all financing parameters can be met (AK increase, NRP, BBG, FK).
February 2021	The application for funding was submitted to the State Council by CCF with a positive preliminary opinion. The funds (NRP and Mountain Railways Act) are an important part of the financing of the overall project.
February 2021	Deadline AK subscription 28.2.2021: Anyone who still wants to actively support the project and be listed as a supporter can do so up to and including 28.2.2021 by sending the share subscription form by e-mail or post. Forms submitted after this date cannot be considered due to the planned ordinary share capital increase.
19. February 2021 Provision of share capital Proof of financing!	Breaking news: The minimum target of CHF 3 million for the share capital increase has been reached! The main driver of this increase was the decision of the Bellwald municipality at the general meeting on 18.2.2021, which will support the railway project with CHF 1 million without a dissenting vote!
January 2021	60% of the financing target (CHF 3 million) in the form of new share subscriptions has been achieved.
December 2020	47% of the financing target (CHF 3 million) in the form of new share subscriptions has been achieved.
December 2020	The digital information presentations have taken place (presentation available online here). Around 150 interested parties were informed first-hand about the current state of affairs.
November 2020	Almost 40% of the financing target (CHF 3 million) in the form of new share subscriptions has been reached.
November 2020	The coordination meeting on spatial planning with the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) and the cantonal authorities was held in Bern.
November 2020	The plan variants for the routing have been completed. The plan variants for the valley and mountain stations are well advanced (see plan sets for the mountain and valley stations).
November 2020	The funding application for submission to the CCF (Mountain Railways Act, NRP) has been completed (incl. master plan) and signed. The final submission to the CCF will take place soon.
November 2020	Invoices have been sent to the existing shareholders. Existing shareholders with subscription rights were also contacted.
October 2020	The CHF 1 million was achieved by means of commitments to share subscriptions (approx. 35% of the planned share capital increase of CHF 3 million).
October 2020	A first field inspection was carried out with the surveyor, construction company, railway supplier, municipality, client and environmental planner. The exact locations of the new supports 1-11 were defined.
September 2020	31% of the financing target (CHF 3 million) has been reached. The list of names of the previous supporters is published.
September 2020	The increase in the required share capital is set at CHF 2.85 million.
September 2020	Deadline extension: The deadline for submitting letters of intent is automatically extended, the definitive end date will be communicated in the foreseeable future.
September 2020	28% of the funding target (CHF 3 million) has been reached. The list of names of supporters to date is published.
August 2020	The public is informed about the project status at the summit meeting. All information is published online.
August 2020	The definitive lift type and supplier is decided: a new 6-seater chairlift from Garaventa AG will enrich the offer in Bellwald from 2022!
August 2020	20% of the financing target (CHF 3 million) has been reached. The list of names of the previous supporters is published.
July 2020	15% of the financing target (CHF 3 million) has been reached. The list of names of supporters to date is published.
July 2020	July 2020 The visualisation (share barometer) was implemented with b-visual.ch (online). An on-site staging is being planned.
June 2020	The first 5% of the funding target (CHF 3 million) is reached.
June 2020	Communication measures for the homepage are discussed with the support of b-visual.ch (visualisation).
June 2020	The first letters are sent by post to owners of holiday homes, businesses and associations in Bellwald.
May 2020	A preliminary investigation into the application for financial assistance is carried out. The necessary master plan for financial aid is drawn up.
May 2020	Various discussions and clarifications regarding financial aid take place with banks and consultants.
May 2020	Based on the cost estimate of the overall project and changed parameters of financing support, the Finance WG determines a required share capital increase of CHF 3 million.
May 2020	An initial cost estimate (preliminary project level) was submitted by Ingenieures (total costs).
May 2020	The tender opening of the EM suppliers (Leithner & Garaventa) has taken place. Three variants were tendered (4-seater, 6-seater, combination).
April 2020	The first 5% of the financing target (min. 2.85 million CHF) has been reached.
April 2020	Due to the COVID-19 situation, the deadline for submissions (railway type) was extended by one month (now 15.5.2020).
March 2020	It was decided to invite tenders for the following lift types as possible replacements: 4-seater chairlift / 6-seater chairlift / combined lift (6-seater chairlift/ 10-seater gondolas).
March 2020	It was decided to award the "architect" mandate.
February 2020	The search for share capital was opened
February 2020	Letters of Intent and Benefits for new shareholders were approved
February 2020	The required share capital was defined as min. CHF 2 million
January 2020	The working group meetings for the replacement plant were opened
January 2020	The realistic schedule is set for "commissioning in December 2022".
January 2020	The BoD decides to award the mandate "engineer as overall manager".
January 2020	The awarding of the mandate "Engineer as overall manager" is decided upon.
December 2019	Four immediate measures to mitigate/improve the SBI outage problem to bridge the gap until the replacement plant is decided upon.
December 2019	The new location of the valley station is decided in the "Ambassador" area
December 2019	The definitive organisation chart of the overall project group and the working groups for the SBI replacement system project (Gassen - Richenen) are approved.
December 2019	The early project planning for the replacement facility is decided upon.

Equity barometer rises to 100%

- The share subscription is closed -

We sincerely THANK our 620+ supporters for this groundbreaking rail project!
We are PROUD to be able to count on such a generous community!
We are MEGA excited about the new 6-seater chairlift!

The share subscription to find new share capital for the financing of the Gassen-Richenen railway project is closed.

Furthermore, interested parties can acquire ordinary shares in Bellwald Sportbahnen AG. If you are interested, please contact sportbahnen@bellwald.ch

Presentation summit meeting

News for the replacement lift

Presentation Summit pdf presentation summit meeting

current supporter list

Our target

A share capital increase of CHF 2.85 million will be necessary to finance this groundbreaking project. The declared goal is the commissioning of the replacement lift Gassen - Richenen in December 2022.

Below you will find the schedule and the organization chart of the project organization:

shedule organization chart

Our added value

For Sportbahnen AG:

Preservation of the urgently needed infrastructure to maintain and ensure an attractive winter and summer offer. Ensuring an attractive workplace with prospects as the largest local employer.

For locals:

Securing your place of residence and maintaining jobs. Maintaining and expanding the economic engine of the community of Bellwald.

For guests:

Expansion and preservation of an attractive summer and winter offer with modern and up-to-date facilities for their vacation stay.

For service providers:

Preservation of value and turnover of their own business.

For second home owners:

Maintaining the value of their vacation home for themselves and their guests.

For ALL:

Ensuring attractive accessibility to the winter and summer area of Bellwald through a contemporary, modern, sustainable and reliable railroad system - our joint and important investment in the future.

I want to support!

The share subscription to find new share capital for the financing of the Gassen-Richenen railway project is closed. Furthermore, interested parties can acquire ordinary shares in Bellwald Sportbahnen AG. If you are interested, please contact sportbahnen@bellwald.ch

New partner dossier from 2022/2023 - See offer link below

partner dossier