22.1°C Not observed 
Concerns over cost and liability spurred district council to send a standards manual for the local trail system back to the drawing board.
The District of Squamish Trail Standards Guide is being developed to provide guidelines for maintenance and development of trails. All new trails would have to meet the standards, and older trails would be grandfathered in as they are upgraded.
But when council learned the district would be responsible for inspections and maintenance, funding concerns were raised.
“It’s important as we develop new standards or new maintenance programs we attach a costing so council has an idea what we’re getting ourselves into. The only piece missing in this report is what it’s going to cost,” Coun. Paul Lalli said.
Bob Kusch, director of recreation parks and tourism, said that the inspection and maintenance stages are not upon them yet since none of the trails in the district meet the proposed standards, with the exception of the under-construction corridor trail.
“Until we get to that level of standard, the inspection program isn’t that significant. When we’re going to get to that standard, I can’t answer because I’m not too sure when we’ll be able to build trails to some of the standards in this document,” he said, adding that currently volunteers undertake much of the trail building and maintenance.
Mayor Greg Gardner also expressed concerns over liability for the district. The trails traverse Crown land, district land and private property. For the trails on private property, some landowners have given approval and some have not.
“We’re exposing ourselves to liability if we agree but in the future there’s no money for inspections,” he said.
Gardner motioned that the guide be referred to staff and brought back in conjunction with the district’s trail masterplan. Council approved, with Coun. Bryan Raiser opposed.
