Squamish is known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada and local passion for the outdoors will be on display at the first-ever Squamish Outdoor Recreation Expo (SORE), which takes place at the Squamish Adventure Centre on April 30.
More than 20 clubs representing almost every spectrum of outdoors activity will be at SORE and organizer Ian Lowe hopes to get the word out about the many opportunities for those who want to experience Squamish's great outdoors.
"A few of us were originally involved with SORCA and have branched off into our own clubs - like myself with the Squamish Paddling Club," Lowe said. "There really was no forum advising new residents about all the clubs here in town and we envision SORE as almost like a club night at a university."
Lowe said that those signed up for the event represent a broad spectrum of Squamish outdoor enthusiasts.
"We have everything and every demographic represented," he said. "From walking clubs for seniors to dirt bikes and everything in between. All of the clubs combined have about 2,000 members and it's going to be interesting and should really help bring new people in."
SORE will be a trade show-style event, with club booths set up to provide information. Clubs will also have an opportunity to take advantage of the theatre located inside the Adventure Centre, with each club getting a chance to showcase their group in a slideshow or video on the big screen.
There will also be a most spirited club award, with Mayor Greg Gardner helping organizers judge which club has the most spirit. Clubs are encouraged to have unique displays and attractions in their efforts to pick up the prize.
Lowe said the Adventure Centre should be a great venue for the event.
"I think it's the perfect forum because of all the space we're going to have," he said. "The Adventure Centre is all about adventuring and we're delighted to have our event there."
Katherine Folinsbee, the operations manager of the Squamish Sustainability Corp., which runs the Adventure Centre, said she's looking forward to the event.
"Ian and Kim Lowe have done all the organizing and I think their event and our building will make a great combination," she said. "I personally think this event is really important for us. This kind of event is the perfect combination for us in that it will attract both locals and some new visitors to the Adventure Centre."
Folinsbee said she hopes events such as SORE will help establish the Adventure Centre as an attractive facility for future events. She also pointed out that the Adventure Centre hosted the Re-Use-It Fair on Saturday (April 16) and that she wants to see the building become a community gathering place.
Lowe said he would like to see not only new people interested in the clubs but also existing club members to come and check SORE out.
"They can go out and do their activities during the day and then drop in to the Adventure Centre when we start at 3 p.m.," he said. "There will be snacks, refreshments and we want to make sure people know this is a kid-friendly event."
The clubs attending SORE as of press time include the Backcountry Horseman of B.C., Callaghan Winter Sports Club, Over the Hill Hikers, Squamish BMX Racing Club, Squamish Dirt Bike Association, Squamish Dragon Boat Association, Squamish Hearts in Motion Walking Club, Squamish Off?Road Cycling Association, Squamish Nordic Ski Club, Squamish Paddling Club, Squamish Pirates Swim Club, Squamish Titans Multisport Club, Squamish Trails Society, Squamish Valley Equestrian Association, Squamish Valley Photography Club, Squamish Valley Rod and Gun Club, Squamish Windsports Society and the Squamish Yacht Club.
The event runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to the public. For more information on the event, check out SORE's fan page on Facebook by typing in "Squamish Outdoor Recreation Expo" into the search bar.
