A contribution to the Squamish Access Society will not be enough to smooth over tensions about Smoke Bluffs Park filming on the eve of the Squamish Mountain Festival. The festival kicked off Wednesday evening (July 16), and some feared the closed routes leading up to the launch would disappoint climbers who travelled to Squamish during that week to experience its famed routes. "We understand that the filming was originally timed during the actual festival days and the district in fact did not allow this, but it's unfortunate that climbers who come from all over for the festival and want to climb at this very popular location won't be able to do so in the days leading up to a festival," said Tyrone Brett of the Squamish Access Society.To accommodate filming for the miniseries Dragonsteel, there was no climbing on Tuesday and Wednesday (July 15 and 16) at several locations in the park, including Krack Rock, Smoke Bluffs Wall, Battered Balls and Neat and Cool. There was also no climbing on Zombie Roof and Smoke Bluff Wall on Monday (July 14) to allow for filming set up. Festival producer Ivan Hughes also said the timing was unfortunate."I think it will be missed because that's one of the most popular areas that people go climbing," he said. The district helped negotiate an agreement ensuring Dragonsteel makes a contribution to the Squamish Access Society in light of the inconvenience. However, Brett said he is not interested in taking money for a filming arrangement he opposes."Perhaps the money can be used in the estuary or elsewhere where I understand some filming is taking place too," he said.Mayor Ian Sutherland said society members were involved in the filming discussions."This is the first I've heard of any problems. They had the opportunity to give feedback," he said. "It's unfortunate that at the 11th-and-a-half hour one of their members have decided it's a bad idea."Brett said he was in contact with the district about it once and made his feelings about the timing clear.Sutherland also noted that contributions from filmmakers have lead to important amenities such as the launching area at The Windsurf Spit.The value of local filming has not been lost on Brett."Filming is important to Squamish and we want to make sure the industry stays welcome, but the timing and location needs to be taken into account when recreational resources are impacted," he said.The solution might be in creating a filming liaison from the climbing community. Hughes said there would likely be less filming in Smoke Buffs Park if an experienced climber could show filming representatives lesser-known sites."There are also a lot of other great areas. They don't always have to choose the most popular climbing areas," he said.Dragonsteel spokesperson Julia Frittaion said the filming would take up only a small section of a very large park and pointed out that it would be wrapped up before the festival begins. She also gave more insight into the project, noting that Dragonsteel is a fantasy miniseries involving dragons planned to air on the Sci Fi channel and through RHI Entertainment, which is tied to the Hallmark Channel.
