Literacy survey
The Squamish Dream Makers Literacy Coalition is organizing a local research project to find out about the essential literacy skills of community members. The goal is to get a picture of the current learning and literacy needs of the community. This will help guide the work of the coalition, which has been active for 20 years, on what of programs, initiatives and resources are needed. The research consists of an anonymous survey that asks adults to self-assess their skills in 10 areas. To fill out the survey online, go to goo.gl/forms/U26hy2hJ34M0nYOD3 or it is possible to do the survey in-person at the Hotspot at 38027 Cleveland Ave. or the Squamish Public Library.
Preparing can save big
While the media and public focus is often on big disasters like the forest fire in Fort McMurray last year, small disasters can have a big financial impact, according to Alexis Kraig, emergency program coordinator with the District of Squamish.
A one-hour flash flood can cost a community the size of Squamish $1.5 million and a small landslide that only takes out a portion of road for a time can add up to $800,000, she said. “Even those small events that we have on a frequent basis within Squamish, they can have a huge price tag and a huge impact to our community,” she said in a presentation to a council committee last week.
The good news, however, is that for every dollar spent on emergency preparedness there is a $47 savings on response costs, Kraig said.
“Every time we work toward emergency preparedness that means we have a cost savings for when we actually have a response,” she said.
Better water for Squamish
Water system improvements have been approved for Squamish under the government’s Clean Water and Waste Water Fund.
Squamish will receive $688,100 in federal funding and $454,146 in provincial funding.
“Keeping up to date with our aging water infrastructure is a huge challenge and a profound responsibility for municipalities. The support from the federal and provincial governments is critical in our efforts to continually upgrade and maintain our water system, keep it as efficient as possible, and improve our water supply and sources into the future,” said Mayor Patricia Heintzman in a news release.
In addition to funding for Squamish, Lions Bay’s water storage facilities will receive $1.34 million in federal funding and $894,360 in provincial funding and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District’s Pinecrest Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant replacement will get $998,205 in federal funding and $658,815 in provincial funding. Local governments will provide the balance of funding.
Squamish Arts Council AGM
The yearly grants from the Squamish Arts Council were given out at its AGM March 31 at the Brackendale Art Gallery.
The Arts and Culture Community Enhancement Grants recipients include the Squamish Farmers’ Market Association for its summer entertainment program; the Sea to Sky Singers for its 2017 Spring Concert; the Between Shifts Theatre for KAYAK; VISUALS for their ArtWalk; Squamish Elementary for their aboriginal community art and teaching project; and the Cheakamus Centre for Spirit Within.
Megan Maclure is a new board member of the council and returning members include Cydney Lyons, chair; Zena Harris, vice-chair, Susan Butler, marketing chair; Kandice Keith, treasurer; Chris Pettingill; Kathy Daniels; Haley Hardy and Andrea Andres.
