Schools to get upgrades
The Ministry of Education on May 19 announced funding for school enhancement work. For the Sea to Sky School District, the province will provide $100,000 for roof repairs at Brackendale Elementary – to which the school board itself is adding $240,000 – and $465,000 to go with $4,000 of district funding for a biomass boiler plant to serve both Howe Sound Secondary and Squamish Elementary.
The school district has more upgrade projects planned from its own annual facilities expenditures. In Squamish these include a stucco wall at Brackendale Elementary ($84,000), replacement of water lines at Squamish Elementary ($60,000) and Mamquam Elementary ($25,000), roofing at Mamquam ($50,619), electrical work at Don Ross Middle School ($85,000), and upgrades for the building envelope and windows at Howe Sound Secondary ($175,000) and Garibaldi Highlands Elementary ($15,000).
New president for DSBIA
The Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association has new leadership for 2016-17. Sabrina Gawley has taken over as president from Glenn Davies, who stepped down from the board after three years, according to a DSBIA news release. Gawley is a senior development manager for Dayhu Capital in Vancouver.
Anna Kirman has retired as association treasurer after 10 years in the role. Dave Sweeney is the association’s treasurer. Elliot Moses has been added to the list of directors, which also includes Nancy McCartney and Marie-Louise Towers. Gena Belanger remains in her role as vice-president, and Adrian Blachut remains as secretary, according to the release.
Save-On raises $11,000
The Squamish Save-On-Foods store has raised $11,000 for the BC Children’s Hospital this year, according to the store’s manager, David Vandenborn. This Saturday, the store is celebrating from noon to 2 p.m. with decorated BC Children’s Hospital cupcakes in honour of customers who helped with donations.
Tear drop rezoning meeting June 7
It’s becoming unlikely a controversial proposal by Brockton Projects Ltd. for an oil change station on the teardrop-shaped property at Buckley and Cleveland avenues will go ahead.
Council passed second reading of rezoning of the property that would see the light industry portion of the property switch to commercial. If adopted, the change would mean the proposed quick lube business would not be permitted.
Parents from nearby schools have expressed safety concerns; the land is adjacent to Squamish Elementary and near Howe Sound Secondary.
A public hearing has been scheduled for June 7 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
Council pledges Legacy Park funds
Squamish council has pledged up to $45,000 in matching funds toward the Legacy Sports Park at the request of Sea to Sky Nordics.
The group is applying for a $45,000 grant from the Canada 150 Infrastructure Fund for the second phase of its park project, expected to cost approximately $100,000. The group would fundraise the remaining $10,000, said Rick Smith of Sea to Sky Nordics. Council voted Tuesday to match the funds from next year’s budget, should the grant application be successful. The park currently includes an eight-metre ski jump, a biathlon range, disc golf course, climbing crag and trails.
Phase two would include lighting, a toilet and paving of a wheelchair-accessible trail and parking lot.
“It’s a great amenity,” said Mayor Patricia Heintzman, who attended the park’s official opening on May 15. “It was pretty cool to see the smiles on the kids’ faces having a great time.”
SSAR busy in 2015
Squamish Search and Rescue (SSAR) had a busy 2015, and 2016 is already shaping up to be the same.
The organization’s Tennessee Trent and BJ Chute presented an overview to District of Squamish council at its committee of the whole meeting last week.
The 60 SSAR members headed out to help 91 times in 2015, according to Chute, up from the 88 responses in 2014. So far this year, the members have been called out 30 times, the same figure reached at this time last year, Chute said. The bulk of responses occur May to October.
The majority of rescues, more than 80 per cent, are ground rescues, Chute said. About 14 per cent are mountain rescues, four per cent are water rescues and one per cent are rope rescues.
In 2015, a total of 12 long-line rescues with a helicopter were carried out, according to Chute. So far in 2016, long-lines have been used in rescues three times.
Forest fire extinguished
Squamish saw its second forest fire of the season Saturday when a fire erupted in the Plural of Nemesis trail area at the end of Tantalus Road, in the Alice Lake trails off DeBeck’s Hill, according to a District of Squamish news release.The emergency call came in at 5:30 a.m., and the approximate size of the fire was 20 feet by 20 feet. The fire was quickly contained by Squamish Fire Rescue.
Whiskers and Wine
The 4th annual Whiskers and Wine night, a fundraiser for the BC SPCA Squamish Branch, is set for Friday, June 3 at the Brackendale Art Gallery. The evening will include music from local band The Shifters, wine and snacks. A silent auction, prize draws and the ever-popular treasure chest will round out the night. Tickets are on sale at the BC SPCA Squamish Branch, Eagleview Veterinary Hospital, Garibaldi Veterinary Hospital or at the door. The event gets underway at 7 p.m.
Sea to Sky Gala
Squamish residents will once again have an opportunity to put on their finest attire and head to the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola for the Sea to Sky Gala on June 3. The gala is a fundraiser for Sea to Sky Community Services’ new building, Centrepoint.
Jessi Cruickshank will MC the event, which will also include The Sea to Sky Orchestra, the Adam Woodall Band, stunt magician Wes Barker and chef food tasting stations. The door prize is a trip for two to the Arctic from One Ocean Expeditions. The website is at www.seatoskygala.ca.
