Question No. 2: What is your vision for the Squamish Oceanfront lands?
Mayoral candidates
Rob Kirkham
It will be the jewel that transforms Squamishinto a paragon for all other cities. My vision aligns with the current plan, a representation of what the community has expressed as its desire for the site. It will include light marine industry for jobs and taxes and a buffer for the terminals. We will all enjoy a large iconic beach park, green space and walkways throughout and around the perimeter. It will include art studios, a performing arts centre, an eclectic village and education and knowledge-based employment lands. It will revitalize the downtown and be a gathering place for the entire Sea to Sky Corridor.
Auli Parviainen
First and foremost, I envision a due and transparent process, which guarantees that our valuable asset brings a benefit for the whole community, not just a select few. With today's [Oct. 25] board nominations posing an enormous question mark on the integrity of the process, we'll have very little chance of public or investor confidence in anything planned at the Oceanfront. I support the mixed-use concept combining light industrial, commercial, educational and residential while offering public amenities such as arts facilities and green space. Appropriate building heights, use mix and exploring productive lease use while waiting for 20- to 30-year build-out are key considerations.
Ron Bahm
A lot of time effort and money has gone into this project. It is time for action. Let's get it done as planned.
Council candidates
Patricia Heintzman
I envision a world-class destination on the peninsula/Mamquam Blind Channel oceanfronts, drawing all Squamish citizens and visitors to its parks, water's edge and out onto the water; it is enlivened by a thriving arts and culture scene, and burgeoning marine light-industrial, creative knowledge-based and education industries that sustain well-paying jobs.
Uffe Hansen
Industrial development including deep-sea shipping and receiving (i.e. container port and day stopover for cruise ships, etc.).This would increase tax base and add much-needed local jobs. For people of Squamish, there would have to be access to the waterfront for recreation, etc.
Philip Audet
My vision for the Squamish Oceanfront land is of a vibrant, eclectic, sustainable community full of unique local businesses, a community that is for everyone regardless of race, age or income, with complete access to the oceanfront for everyone. A development that moves forward and benefits Squamish and its residents.
Eric Andersen
My vision is for a land use-plan that recognizes the value of this scarce land resource for water-dependent uses, and preserves future options for the entire Squamish waterfront. The long overdue Estuary Plan (1999) review and Marine Strategy (1991) updating are higher priorities than re-zoning Oceanfront to residential use.
Ron Sander
I envision a plan which repays the near $8 million debt, creates many family-supporting jobs and brings ongoing revenue for the district through taxes and lease payments. The business of the Oceanfront would have a proper transportation corridor to the industrial park, with appropriate parkland buffers to downtown.
Doug Race
My vision for the Oceanfront is to create a development that would be like Granville Island with more parks and no cement plant, a mixed-use development with a focus on public amenities, the ocean and marine uses for commercial activity and recreation.
Chris Wallace
My vision of the Squamish waterfront is a vibrant working port that gives Squamish a solid tax base that will help provide the needed infrastructure and services that will be required in the future. I also see this as a catalyst for Mamquam blind channel area and downtown revitalization.
Brad Hodge
I'd like to see the waterfront beach and park, of course, but also space kept for a new Municipal Hall and community theatre. When the Brennan Park facilities reach the end of their life, consider rebuilding some of them (the pool?) down there.Encourage entertainment businesses. Create reasons for people to be there.
Bryan Raiser
The community has been loud and clear that the current land-use plan is the right direction. The next steps are getting the right developers for a good mix of marine industry, education, residential and park. As well, I envision a seamless extension up the Blind Channel to downtown.
Mike Jenson
Squamish is a seaside community in the heart of Sea to Sky Country. We need to capitalize on this. We have the capability of a unique, vibrant and well-thought-out waterfront destination that is second to none! Let's make the Oceanfront a place where residents and visitors can live, work and play!
Rob Weys
Being a natural port, commercial and industrialopportunitiesshould besupported to provide jobs. An anchor to downtown Squamish, and destination for everyone. There is enough land, public and private,for commercial, industrial, and residential developments. Highway access, commuter ferry,and train station would make it the heart of Squamish.
Nate Dolha
Squamish should move forward with the current concept, but realize the next steps are vital for success. This community is about to embark on a 20-year project, and we must make sure the risk to the taxpayer is minimized and our investment maximized. Good policy, not property, is key.
Susan Chapelle
The community has been asked multiple times what we want, and we came up with a plan. We need toget started on the plan that we have. We need that land to be creating income for infrastructure that is badly needed, and to pay off our debt.
Peter Kent
I envision a "Granville Island" atmosphere: A water-park, sandcastle beaches, biking a sea wall, water sport rentals, store fronts, farmer's markets, restaurants, local artisan, music and a "Bard on the Beach"-type outdoor theatre night! Let's enhance our oceanfront for the benefit of all residents and tourists. My two-year-old twins vote, "water-park!"
Sarah Braebrook
Knowledge-based industry and light marine facilities can provide clean tax dollars and attractincome from outside sources to this precious world-class location. Residential, parkland, arts, culture and tourism can combine with that tocreate a thriving, interactive environment.Pedestrian access to the entire perimeter is a must.
Balvinder Biring
Oceanfront development provides an excellent opportunity for us to show Squamish as a "complete community" and to revitalize the downtown. Well-thought-out and well-balanced approach for the development of the site would definitely help to achieve my vision of a "vibrant healthy community for people to live, work and play."
Geoff Dyer
I am not convinced that the land use shown in the current plan is best. Consideration should be given to redesignating at least some of this land for port-related industrial development. Another issue is soil contamination. The District should have no risk associated with clean-up costs on any parcels that are sold off
Deb McBride
Thirty years ago I first spoke about making a transition to non-polluting industry. Film work, research, restoration, recreation and food production all employ people in all skill levels. The Oceanfront is best left to fish, birds and visitors. It's an estuary, a nursery and our life source for our survival.
Jeff Cooke
We all want a nicer waterfront, but this is a risky business venture because I don't believe there is a market for it. We face huge financial risk if this deal is not done right. A big loss here will be a huge burden on Squamish for years to come.
Douglas Neville
Locals tell me they would never walk their dogs down in that area because of the chemical plant and other logging pollutions yet we want to build homes there? We need to engage the provincial government to help clean up their mess and then think about options.
Ted Prior
I see a nice beach, a continuous seawall/trail from the Adventure Centre to the estuary. These lands should become a multi-sector education destination anchored by a major learning centre with mixed-use development including light industrial such as film industry, arts facilities, research and development firms and a full-service marina.
Editor's note: Council candidates Terrill Patterson and Larry McLennan had not responded to the question by The Chief's press deadline.
