Rogers Plaza, B.C. Hydro Place, Timbits Adventure Centre? The District of Squamish has requested that corporate sponsorship and a new name be considered for the Squamish Adventure Centre.
At the shareholder meeting on Tuesday (July 26) of the Squamish Sustainability Corporation (SSC), the District of Squamish-owned body that manages the Adventure Centre building and exhibits, Coun. Paul Lalli suggested corporate naming of the publicly built and owned facility to bring in revenue.
Its an idea he brought up a couple of years ago, but now that the building is being operated by an arms-length board, Lalli told The Chief it seems like prime time to examine the centres options. With the right corporate partner, the centre could stand to make significant gains, Lalli noted.
It is a high-profile building, Lalli said. I think there could potentially be a win-win situation.
The Adventure Centre has been widely criticized for cost overruns on its original construction and, more recently, the fact that its operation is still being subsidized by taxpayers. In April, Squamish council axed a request for a $41,000 increase in the SSCs annual subsidy before approving a budget of $151,000 the same as last years. Currently the SSCs debt, backed by the district, sits at $354,000. Over the past two years, the district has put $100,000 toward the deficit.
Mayor Greg Gardner proposed the corporations staff take a closer look at the centres name, one he said may not reflect the facilitys use. In the past, the SSC board has discussed alternative names, such as the Squamish Visitor Centre.
At the meeting, the SSC unveiled its annual general report and financial statements. Although last years deficit has grown by $25,000 when compared to 2009, the corporation made some significant strides, said Cameron Chalmers, SSC board chair.
Organizations within the building and its outside users the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Squamish, Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association and SSC have worked on providing complementary services, Chalmers said.
Event bookings for the facility have been stable, he said. Government reservations for the building are down, but visits by tour groups have increased. The addition of childrens toys and afternoon kids movies has helped draw more people to the centre, while business are showing interest in renting out office space and desks, Chalmers said.
These little steps are starting to accumulate, he said.
Last month, the centres gift shop had a record sales day and the centre has experienced record visitation numbers throughout this summer, Chalmers said.
Moving forward, the SSC intends to look for more community partnerships. The board will also look for savings in the buildings energy consumption in partnership with Squamish Climate Action Network, Chalmers noted.
Increased usage will inspire more rentals within the facility, Coun. Corinne Lonsdale said.
I think we are moving in the right direction, she said.
With files from Meagan Robertson, The Chief.
