Downtown Squamish Pavilion Park users may breathe a sigh of relief after District of Squamish council made their first concrete steps towards getting O'Siem Pavilion construction underway at Tuesday's (Nov. 2) council meeting.
The time sensitive project must be completed if the $375,000 in federal and provincial stimulus funding is to remain in Squamish hands. The so-called Towns for Tomorrow grant stipulates proposed infrastructure be built out by March 31, 2011.
Members unanimously voted to approve the staff recommendation to locate the structure at the south end of Pavilion Park.
Six weeks ago council deferred the location decision, much to the chagrin of several local residents who have been waiting for this "shovel ready" project since the former pavilion was taken down in 2008 due to safety concerns.
"Six weeks ago some of the councillors preferred the south end," said municipal engineering director Brian Barnett. "That was not the staff recommendation at the time but it is at this point so good job mayor and council on selecting site C [the south end], we agree with you."
The decision seemed final, however Mayor Greg Gardner requested that staff consult with sculptor Patrick Sullivan about the different options, since he's not happy his arts installation will have to be moved to accommodate the site.
"It's been a great project and a big success," Sullivan said of the garden, which has stood in that location since 1994.
"I'd prefer to see them remain together but there's nothing I can do about it. But I think the public will lose out big time if they're split up or moved to storage."
Advantages to choosing the south end of the park include the pavilion itself acting as a windbreak, the spectacular views behind the stage, adjacent washrooms and a large enough space to not spill out onto the street.
"One certainly has to be moved," said Barnett. "The other ones may or may not need to be moved or we may want them to be moved. We're working on that right now to come up with some options."
Council members also accepted a proposal from Alfred Waugh architect and once the conceptual designs are done the drawings will be brought back to council for further approval.
