When Squamish Days Loggers Sports first began 51 years ago, Highway 99 had yet to be built. Perhaps this explains the determination and optimism of the Squamish Days committee while facing the severing of this main artery for competitors, equipment and, most importantly, visitors. "The Squamish Days show must go on!" announced the committee yesterday (July 31). Meanwhile, local hotels, grocery stores and transportation companies have been feeling the pressure to help those stranded in the Sea to Sky Corridor. Loggers Sports president Bryan Couture was out of town yesterday - presenting his show at the Abbotsford Agricultural Festival - and was hoping to get a flight to Squamish. No matter what, he said, nothing would stand between him and Loggers Sports. "Even if I have to walk over the rockslide, I'll be up." He allowed himself just a moment of exasperation, however, saying: "I just can't believe that thing came down now." Competitors and equipment are also slowly making their way up for the novice Loggers Sports event on Saturday (Aug. 2) and the open world-class event on Sunday (Aug. 3), he said."Stuff that comes from Vancouver on the Friday like the PA system, that's all been arranged. "I have some of the heavy duty equipment operators - they're putting a lot of money into getting the equipment from the Interior now through the Duffey Lake. What's happening is we're piggy backing on everyone else. It's excellent," said Couture. Many competitors are unaffected since they're arriving from the Interior via the northern route of Duffey Lake Rd., and many others from New Zealand, Australia and Denmark have already made it into town, and others are on their way with the help of Squamish Tug water taxis, according to one of the event's co-ordinators, Amy Fast, who remains positive through the challenge."This is a community festival celebrating Squamish and now maybe it'll be a bit more about that this year, about truly celebrating Squamish and our community spirit."Those hoping to get in or out of town using other means were directed to Squamish Tug, Glacier Air and Sea to Sky Air, and the Howe Sound has been swarming with water taxis and float planes, according to RCMP Cpl. Dave Ritchie, while Highway 99 saw very low volumes.Other affected businesses in town revolved around the food and service industry. As soon as news of the rockslide broke, shoppers began emptying grocery story shelves, especially of milk, bread and meat, according spokespeople for Nesters, Extra Foods and Save On Foods."We're very, very busy right now," said Nesters supervisor Sofia Nanud on Wednesday (July 30).Worrying over a lack of food is pointless, according to Save On assistant manager Wes Lewis, since supplies are being brought through the Duffey Lake Rd."We're only missing one grocery load out of the whole deal," he said. Meanwhile, local hotels have been busy fielding calls for cancellations and extending bookings."It's been crazy," laughed Mountain Retreat assistant general manager Barbara Clendenning.Most of the people canceling had been visiting for a large swim meet that has now been relocated to North Vancouver, for Loggers Sports and for a fastball Squamish Days tournament, and a golf tournament, according to Sea to Sky Hotel front desk clerk Janic Evin.Acting Mayor Greg Gardner said his highest priority during the slide clean up is for the safety of residents and workers, but he's also concerned for local economy."What we have right now is a huge economic impact on our community when our main access route is cut off and we can't get goods, supplies and visitors into our area and people who work outside of our area can't get to their jobs. People not being able to go to work for a period of time is an economic impact in itself."Gardner added that a contingency plan addressing this eventuality was in place during the Olympic bid process, but the proposed Squamish ferry terminal never materialized."I'm not privy to why that decision was changed. It's certainly a disappointment for Squamish, yes. It's troubling that we don't have at least to this point identified a usable ferry terminal in Squamish. I just want to make sure we can identify such a site prior to an event like this happening again, not after the event happens."Gardner remained positive about Loggers Sports, however, and encouraged those able to attend to support the event."It's an opportunity for people who have perhaps had their plans changed and are stranded in the Sea to Sky Corridor to come visit that event, and it's also an opportunity for people who reside in the corridor who have also had their travel plans changed to come back and fun in Squamish this weekend."
