Squamish has grown a lot over the past year.
The District of Squamish’s annual report is reminiscent of baby memory books that chart the growth of children with key stats and photos.
The 2015 annual report was released Tuesday and demonstrates what Squamish residents know well: The community has grown quite a bit since 2014.
“It is incredible to see what has been accomplished in concert with all of our partners within the community – from service organizations to social, safety and health services, to arts and sport events and organizations,” Mayor Patricia Heintzman said in a district news release.
The release of the report is in advance of its annual general meeting, which is scheduled for June 28 at 3:30 p.m. at Municipal Hall.
Highlights in the document include that 398 housing units were built in the district in 2015 and 222 building permits were issued, a 30-per-cent increase over 2014. The number of business licences issued was up 28 per cent in 2015 to 1,581, according to the report. Of those licences, 388 were new, compared to in 2014 when 303 new licences were granted.
In her letter, in the opening pages of the report, Heintzman acknowledged growth has created challenges for the community.
“Housing prices have soared, creating both housing affordability and labour challenges in Squamish,” she said. “So while we have worked hard over the past year to build our economic diversity and resilience, our efforts were coupled with a focus on the supply and diversity of housing in the community.”
In goals set out for the coming years, the report cites, “adopt an action plan to address housing affordability by December 31, 2016.”
Other growth areas, such as in film and TV productions, are highlighted as well.
According to the report, 35 film productions came to town in 2015, a 40 per cent increase over 2014. Productions spent 219 days in Squamish, an increase of 75 per cent over 2014. In terms of future goals for Squamish’s role in big and little screen productions, between 2016 and 2018 district staff aim to draft a tool kit to help private landowners who welcome film productions, according to the report. A plan is also slated to expand the Squamish Film Collective, “to better link our community with industry,” and to host a filming forum for industry personnel.
To view the annual report, go to squamish.ca/yourgovernment/budget-financial-statements-and-annual-reports/.
