Summer in Squamish: After a wet June and mediocre start to July it now seems we are able to enjoy the sunshine and warm winds and easier access to the outdoors. This is one of my favourite seasons in Squamish. Summer and the warmer weather bring many activities to our community.

We have already enjoyed the Test of Metal, although in the rain this year, and the Squamish Triathlon was successfully completed two weeks ago. We still have many events left on our calendar including Loggers’ Sports on Aug. 3 to 5 and Live at Squamish on Aug. 24 to 26. There are also many forms of competition including mountain bike races, sailing and windsport competitions, running events and ball tournaments, to name a few. The Farmers’ Market is a hive of activity every Saturday and many tourists are attracted to Squamish at this time of year to enjoy the many events and outdoor attractions. Look for notices of these events in the media and posters and take in as many as possible. They are part of what makes living in Squamish special.

There is another aspect to the summer season. It is the best time for some construction projects to be completed. This year, the district council approved a budget with a large capital program. Capital projects including water line upgrades and repairs, sewer line upgrades and landfill improvements will form a large part of our capital program this year. In addition, annually the District of Squamish spends about $1 million on paving projects to maintain our roads. Last year, district staff completed a comprehensive road study to ascertain the condition of all of the roads in the district. Decisions on what roads to upgrade or repair can now be made to ensure that roads most needing repair are attended to promptly and as well to ensure that maintenance occurs in a timely way to minimize deterioration of the road.

One of the results of this capital program is the inevitable interruption of some travel as detours, delays and occasional closures of roads will occur to allow construction to proceed. District staff and our contractors will attempt to minimize inconveniences and will provide as much advance notice of these works as possible.

One of the significant projects being undertaken by the district is a geographic information system, or GIS. This is a mapping system that provides information on many aspects of the district, including what projects are underway. The public can access this system by going to the district website and clicking on the GIS icon. The first field will allow you to select several options. Select “Projects.” You can follow the links to access all of the district projects underway and a report on their status. This will allow you to stay informed about projects that may affect you.

Enjoy your summer in Squamish.