The provincial government has taken the first step in approving the construction of a one-of-a-kind Nordic sports facility in Squamish.
At Squamish council's Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday (June 12), Callaghan Winter Sports Club (CWSC) member Rick Smith told councillors the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development will sponsor the club's bid to lease Crown land for a token amount of rent.
Last year, the CWSC received $110,000 from council as part of the Sport Legacy Fund to put toward the Squamish Legacy Sports Park. The multi-sport facility is slated include a paved trail for roller skiing, cycling and wheelchair activities. Plans for the property off of Raven Drive show a meeting pavilion and introductory ski jumps of 10, 20 and 40 metres high. The CWSC is in contact with the Squamish Rod and Gun Club to provide biathlon training, Smith said.
The ministry sponsorship for the value of the Squamish Legacy Sports Park land - $958,272 - does not guarantee a nominal rent tenure (NRT), Smith said, but it's a huge step toward a lease.
"Since then there have been other steps," he said.
The club has met with the Sarah Burke Foundation, an organization set up in memory of the Squamish freeskiing pioneer and six-time X Games gold medalist. The foundation's members walked through the property and are considering aiding in building a training centre in her name, Smith said.
The CWSC still hopes the district will waive $5,200 worth of fees involved with an Official Community Plan (OCP) and rezoning application needed for the park. The property currently is designated light industrial under Squamish's OCP.
"By waiving the fees for this application, you would enable us to move forward," Smith said.
With the exception of the ski jumps and the gun range, the facility will be open to the public at no charge. The club plans to pay for the facility through summer camps and various programs, Smith said.
Next winter marks a huge event for the club, as it plays host to the Canadian Biathlon Championships. The event will take place at Whistler Olympic Park, with Squamish serving as the host community. It will include all four Nordic disciplines, with approximately 1,200 athletes staying in the Sea to Sky Corridor for the two-week festival in March 2013.
"We are so excited about hosting this festival," Smith said. "The growth of Nordic sport in this area is just steady, steady, steady."
