The District of Squamish is seeking to smooth out the planning process for people looking to host events in town. Now it's time for your input, says the municipality's economic sustainability coordinator.
Last summer, municipal staff put together a special events policy, having scrapped its $5-per-participant levy on organized activities that used district-owned property. Until Wednesday (Oct. 31), the district is asking the public to participate in an online survey on the draft policy. The questionnaire and document can be found at www.squamish.ca.
"We are trying to make sure the policy is relevant and up to date," Dan McRae said. "We are basically reviewing fees and charges in the policy."
The draft includes a graduated fee schedule - $50 for events with fewer than 200 participants, $75 for 200 to 400, $100 for 401 to 700, $150 for up to 1,000 participants and $200 for events with more than 1,000. Registered charities would receive the permit for free.
The draft report noted the management of garbage will be the responsibility of event organizers. The applicant must supply recycling containers for beverage cans and bottles. Event planners will also be responsible for ensuring there is sufficient parking for the event, the report stated.
"The district is not responsible for providing signage, barricades, parking and traffic control for any event," it states.
Special events are an important part of enhancing quality of life, tourism, culture, recreation and education, while also providing economic benefits to the local economy, McRae said.
Last year's GranFondo cycling race injected $8.2 million into B.C.'s economy, with $650,000 of that landing in Squamish, reported the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance. In its initial two years, the Live at Squamish music festival brought in more than $1.5 million worth of economic impact to Squamish, the show's executive producer, Paul Runnals, told The Chief last July.
"We are going out for feedback on [the policy]," McRae said.
