They came in droves to give their opinions on the future of Squamish.
More than 350 people packed the West Coast Railway Heritage Park last Thursday for the Squamish 2040 visioning event. The event was so well attended that organizers, who had planned for about 200 people, ran out of handouts and had to scramble to print more.
“I was blown away with Thursday night,” said Mayor Patricia Heintzman, who noted people of all ages attended the event, with the largest group ages 30 to 50.
“Getting 350 people is just outstanding,” she said. “The vibe was just so positive.”
Through interactive displays, participants made their concerns clear to district council, which is currently in the midst of updating its official community plan and needs input from residents.
Another 550 people have also filled out surveys online at squamish.ca, and more are expected to send in their thoughts before the Feb. 8 survey deadline. Visioning is the first of four phases to write a new official community plan, which is to guide Squamish council in its decision-making for years ahead.
On two large boards near the entrance, residents noted what they thought were the issues critical to Squamish, including affordable housing, “no LNG,” infrastructure, bus transit, the need for parks, protection of the estuary and the evolution into a bedroom community of Vancouver. In the first hour, the boards were completely filled and more comments were added on sticky notes alongside them.
A children’s board had other suggestions, including a waterpark, movie theatre and “more rainbows.”
Heintzman, who spoke with many at the event, said some key issues emerged. “Certainly people were very concerned by how growth is going to affect the environment, and people were concerned about land uses, but generally it was an engaged and positive community.”
Joanne Stoner, who relocated to Squamish in November from Sun Peaks, B.C., said preserving the environment of Squamish is her top concern. “One of the reasons we moved here was the natural beauty of the place. It’s spectacular.”
Richard Stockli said he was excited about the new developments coming to Squamish, including the Oceanfront and Great Wolf Lodge waterpark resort, but he would like to see more, including a larger shopping mall so residents wouldn’t need to travel to Vancouver.
His wife, Rhian Stockli, said the town needs a movie theatre and bowling alley – and more affordable housing. She believes half of young adults in their 20s and 30s are living at home with their parents because they can’t afford the high rental rates. “Kids living here need housing and need jobs.”
For Karina Steinberg, who has lived in town for six years, one of the key issues is a community centre, which she said should include a gym and health centre. “I love Brennan Park now but would like it bigger,” said the mother of two.
She’s also worried about congestion on Highway 99 as Squamish continues to grow.
The buzz at the event was loud as people moved among different stations, including one where participants voted on key issues by throwing six marbles in jars labelled with top concerns. At another station, they wrote what’s best and worst about Squamish on sticky notes, which they affixed to a map. Councillors, district staff and community committee members wearing #Squamish2040 T-shirts mingled with the crowd.
Heintzman said the event cost approximately $2,000, part of a $150,000 total budget to create the new official community plan. The consultant, Modus, is compiling the views in a report to be presented to the community committee and council later this month. The next phase of the plan will include “kitchen table talks” and pizza nights to “drill down on themes and general direction,” the mayor said.
