Developer backs equestrians’ appeal

Rochelle Peters, Meridy Meikle, Prince', Toni Kerekes, Karin Buchanan, Susan Albert gathered at Save-On_foods Nov. 8 to collect signatures for their bid to acknowledge horses in the District of Squamish Official Community PLan.

The developer behind the proposed Paradise Valley equestrian residential project, Paradise Trails, is backing last ditch efforts to have horses acknowledged in Squamish’s Official Community Plan.

“One of the biggest obstacles to the development of an equestrian industry in Squamish is the lack of boarding stables and the lack of indoor arenas,” said Michael Goodman, CEO of Paradise Trails, a member of the Tri City Group of Companies.

Over the last two weekends, horse enthusiast Karin Buchanan has been collecting signatures to support her appeal to the District of Squamish that OCP land use designations reflect the equestrian community in the Finch Drive area and throughout the municipality.

The OCP is in its final stages, and Buchanan wanted to make her case before the comment period ended.

She collected 519 names supporting her position that the OCP recognize and identify existing and future zoning for equestrian properties in residential areas.

“They’re not horse people and they don’t want to see everything just developed, they want green space and animal usage in pockets,” she said in an interview with The Chief last week, adding: “It’s a viable economy. There’s lots of money made in the horse world.”

This week, Goodman agreed.

“Clearly, the people of Squamish have spoken. Let’s hope that Squamish council is listening,” he said.

Goodman pointed to Langley Township, billed the horse capital of B.C., as an example of how the development of a horse industry and horse facilities can create jobs and generate cash flow.

“The local equestrian industry in Langley is valued at over $60 million annually” said Goodman. “What Langley does not have, however, is the natural beauty and extensive trail networks that Squamish has in abundance. Building a small bridge across the Cheakamus in Paradise Valley to access the wilderness trails would be an important step in building a real tourism industry.

“With a modicum of vision, you can see that the potential for horse tourism in Squamish is extraordinary.”

Goodman’s Paradise Trails Project includes construction of an indoor arena to be available for use by the public and stabling for around 30 to 40 horses.

“We applaud the efforts of horse enthusiasts in Squamish who are trying to preserve not only their passion for horses, but the rural lifestyle associated with horses,” said Goodman.

Paradise Trails recently received approval by council at third reading.

Comments

Be the first to comment!