The old service road leading to the Mamquam River access point is repaired and ready for white water paddlers to perform easy drop-ins this season. Kayakers and canoeists are invited to celebrate the site at the official grand opening on Sunday (June 22).Canoeist John Harvey successfully headed a three-month fundraising drive which attracted $6,000 in district funds along with an annual pledge of $1,000 for road grading, a $5,000 Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) access grant and about $3,000 through the Mamquam Meltdown film/auction events held last month."The project was screaming to be done and it was all about regaining access for whitewater paddlers," said Harvey. "It's just too far a hike down with your boat and back up again."Harvey wasted no time in clearing the way for the high water season. The $13,000 project started the day after the Meltdown fundraiser and the work was finished in about a week. Besides improvements to the road that leads to a waterline owned by the district and a parking area owned by Bob Fast, the site now has a gate, picnic table and outhouse. Meanwhile, signage and mapping are still to come. Paddlers wishing to access the site can rent a gate key free of charge (provided they give a deposit) at Valhalla Pure Outfitters.However, the gate will be wide open when Mayor Ian Sutherland cuts the ribbon at the opening ceremonies starting at 9 a.m. A barbecue and hot tub filled with toasted river water will make sure paddlers are nourished and relaxed throughout the all-day event. Racing gates will be installed for the competitive types.Due to an anticipated high number of paddlers and space concerns, Harvey asks that people walk down to the access point. Although he will provide a shuttle service to help transport boats.Harvey was using the Squamish Community Foundation as a fundraising vehicle, but he intends to form a nonprofit organization specific to the cause."I sense a need that we will have to go there because it speaks volumes of the necessity to save the site forever - without putting pressure on the land owner of course," he said. "Public access for white water paddling needs more clout."
