Locals have launched a Facebook campaign to establish a water park in town, but questions remain over the viability of such a project, and whether the District of Squamish is already looking into one.
As a local mother of a two-year-old, Jena Steele said local lakes have become inhospitable to toddlers.
"The lakes in and around the area are either packed and overcrowded with partiers and out-of-towners," she writes as the creator of the Facebook page entitled Squamish Water Playground Coalition.
"They are either unsuitable, inaccessible or too dangerous to younger kids and toddlers. Alice Lake is gross and always busy. Some kids get sick from the bird poop and the sand is not so sandy."
Steele is in the process of starting a company, so doesn't have time to spearhead the project, but hopes that by spreading the idea, locals will get inspired.
So she, Amanda Gray and Kerri Gray formed a task force to gauge the community's interest in creating a water park using a combination of private and public means.
"The goal is not necessarily to get the district to foot the bill for the whole cost," she writes. "The goal is to see if the district will support having a water playpark on park land, and to support the construction and maintenance of the park.
"It is hoped that we will have a group to head up fundraiser activities and donate time and energy to the cause."
An initial meeting on Sunday (May 30) brought only three people together to discuss the matter, but Steele said that's not an indication of lack of interest.
"I wasn't expecting a huge turnout because it was short notice. The whole point of that meeting was just to get a starting point."
In fact, she said, she's been inundated with useful information and offers to help.
"A woman from the Rotary [Club] called and said they'd been presented with the idea previously and they've be in support of it again," said Steele.
"I even got an email from a woman who her and her partner have an excavation company and they would be willing to donate a machine and time to get it done."
Since the idea is still in its infancy, those involved are still unclear whether a water park is even on the municipality's radar.
Questions over whether the district is studying a potential park and details over a similar attempt by former resident Julie Atkinson-Beckett a decade ago are still pending.
Mayor Greg Gardner said he remembers the previous proposal failing many years ago, and is unaware of a current proposal on the district's books.
He added that the Squamish weather may put a damper on plans since the park's use would be limited to warmer seasons.
But Steele is undaunted.
"If places like Trail and Ladysmith and these little towns can do it, why can't we?" she asked.
"I have no doubt there would be a ton of people willing to donate time and energy to this project. If the district were to allow a location and potentially maintenance of the site I have no doubt that it could get done."
