District of Squamish officials want a glimpse into your shopping bag.
On Saturday, Aug. 3, the municipality launched a consumer survey to gauge residents' and visitors' shopping habits, leisure activities and impressions of downtown Squamish. The questionnaire was created in partnership with university student-run volunteer organization White Forest Consulting.
The downtown consumer study aims to determine what business services people want to see in downtown Squamish, Mayor Rob Kirkham stated in a press release.
"We hope to receive useful data that will help inform decisions around our downtown transformation initiative, as well as provide insights to the business community on what opportunities exist downtown," he said.
Throughout August and the first week in September, student volunteers will be at Squamish's farmers markets with the questionnaire in hand. The survey is also available online at www.squamish.ca/survey. Posters will be placed throughout local stores with links and QR codes to the survey.
Survey participants will be entered into a draw to win an iPad mini or one of five $20 gift cards.
In the spring district officials kicked off the downtown transformation initiative. The program is about creating action items, laying out a plan and timetable for implementation, Kirkham told The Chief at its launch.
The municipality hired an event coordinator to piece together a schedule for downtown events. District staff are also looking at creating a temporary town square in Squamish's heart, as well as beefing up signage throughout the community and working with local heritage groups to bring Squamish's history into its neighbourhoods. Besides a downtown square, staff are examining developing a community pump track, bouldering feature and slacklines.
