After months of mystery surrounding the fate of the O'Siem Pavilion, a District of Squamish announcement this week revealed a newly expanded Cleveland Avenue park will host the new structure.
The entire Pavilion Park block now belongs to the District of Squamish, which is key to ensuring the new O'Siem Pavilion's optimal, according to Mayor Greg Gardner.
Council will still have to approve the pavilion's site, structure and uses when staff brings forward a recommendation in September.
The district purchased the 37966 Cleveland Avenue block, where the Parkside restaurant sits, for $520,000.
"This is a strategic acquisition by the district as it gives the community control of an entire block of public space in the centre of the downtown core," said Gardner.
"This space allows us flexibility in realizing the potential long-term benefits of Block 19 and, in the short-term, will enhance the district's ability to optimally locate the O'Siem Pavilion here."
The Parkside Restaurant will remain as a rental tenant, said Gardner.
In March 2009 the District of Squamish received a $375,000 Towns for Tomorrow grant to build the new O'Siem Pavilion and the district only has seven months left to begin construction.
Until this week, uncertainty surrounded the pavilion's planned location. And further adding to confusion were Gardner's previous comments regarding the pavilion's location possibly being at the Oceanfront lands.
Downtown community organizations vehemently opposed, saying there was no other logical place to put it than the park.
Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) president Eric Armour said he's thrilled to hear about the land purchase.
"It's good to see they're finally taking some concrete and positive steps forward," said Armour. "That's awesome."
Although no new concrete designs are in place, Gardner said detailed discussions are in the works.
"For example, the old pavilion had its back to that [newly purchased] land, now one of the things we're looking at very seriously is having the pavilion at the south end of the park," said Gardner.
"It would face the arts council and the Parkside building and give potentially more room in the park to take in a concert at the pavilion."
Parkside Restaurant owner Mike Park said he's been on edge since the property he has leased for seven years went up for sale.
He said he's glad the district ended up buying the land because he doesn't believe they have any immediate plans for the building and will likely maintain a fair rent rate.
"For our business, it's better the district purchase it than anyone else because it certainly gives us some stability downtown," said Park.
"I don't know what to expect, we don't have a lease yet but they're not in business to make money from us, the district works for us, so really it's a long term investment for them."
He said he's just as excited and anxious as the rest of the community to see the pavilion get started.
"I think that's great they own the whole block," he said, "the sooner they can get that pavilion going the better."
Gardner said he is confident that pavilion construction will meet the March 31 deadline and they will start construction as soon as possible.
