Re: Rod and Gun Club in poor location, Letters, The Squamish Chief, Nov. 6, 2014.
The Squamish Valley Rod and Gun Club is the oldest club in Squamish. It was granted Charter under the BC Societies Act (July 30, 1942). The club facilities have been on the present site for over 50 years. The club is on Crown Land, under a lease to 2044 and pays taxes to the district.
Mr. Jeff Norman states in The Squamish Chief Nov.6 edition that thousands of lives are disrupted by our operation, and brings into question our safety standards. There has never been a firearm-related accident at our club; safety remains paramount in our organization and is taken very seriously by our executive and members.
While we do continue to improve our facilities, we have considered our neighbours in all our discussions on club operations. We are in an industrial-zoned area with noise constraints limiting us to normal industrial noise bylaw times. We have voluntarily limited the range hours to less than permitted times in consideration of our neighbours.
Most of the noise complaints involve times when law enforcement agencies are using the ranges; RCMP, West Van Police, CN Police, Tribal Police, Park Rangers, Conservation and Fishery Officers.
The club was founded and the facilities built by Squamish residents who provided the labour and materials, practices that continue today. We are a non-profit organization, and our operating and improvements funding comes from the membership.
Now, with our association with the Squamish Olympic Legacy Park, we are converting one archery range to a biathlon range, administered under our operating licence. The new washhouse facility was constructed due to increased activity generated by our membership (now over 700), the Sea To Sky Nordics Club and other groups (Scouts, Air Cadets).
To those who would propose moving our club, along with the Legacy Park, please consider that the cost would likely exceed $1,000,000, if a suitable area could be found.
On Nov. 3, at the SORCA-sponsored All Candidates meeting with the recreational groups, our club had the opportunity to meet with each candidate to determine their support for our club and the Sea To Sky Nordics Club, now and in the future. We were given unanimous support by all candidates, and for that we are appreciative.
We encourage Squamish residents to visit our website, attend our public events and our next open house.
On behalf of SVRGC
Scott Douglas,
Communications Director
