The Chief is making a big — and exciting — change. We are offering a complimentary paper for all of Squamish starting Jan. 30. You have questions, we get it. We have some answers.
Why are you doing this?
To better serve the entire community. We know Squamish loves their news and trusts The Chief, but we’re making it accessible for all. We know more people will read The Chief if it’s dropped on their doorstep (or nearby box) for free, and we know our advertisers will be better served by the increased readership and reach.
How many papers are you distributing?
We’re printing a minimum 8,000 copies that will go to homes and newspaper boxes throughout the community. Currently we print 2,600 copies, so this is more than three times the number of papers.
Where will it be delivered?
We will deliver to neighbourhoods and homes throughout Squamish. We will deliver door-to-door for many locals – wherever we have delivered the paper in the past we will continue with delivery of the newspaper wrapped around the flyer pack.
We will move to boxed distribution in some neighbourhoods (such as Valleycliffe) and the newspaper will be available at the mail super boxes throughout the area. This means readers can pick up the paper and flyers when they get their mail. We’re working with the District for approval before we make this move. But in almost all of our neighbourhoods we will continue to have a strong youth carrier delivery of the newspaper, along with the flyer pack.
What if I don’t want to have the newspaper delivered to my home?
Just like with the flyer packs in the past; you can advise us if you do not want delivery. Call us at 604-892-9161.
Can I get the newspaper without the flyer pack?
No. If you want the newspaper but not the flyer pack, stop by one of our distribution locations or boxes that do not contain flyers (downtown, in grocery stores, or at our office on Second Avenue!) to pick up a copy.
Why are some retail locations still charging for the paper?
Locals will be able to get a paper at no cost – whether delivered to their home or picked up at a nearby box that is accessible. That said, we don’t want to encourage locals to take more than one, or people picking up extra papers to start fires or line pet boxes, or generally taking more papers than necessary. It’s wasteful and costs us money, and as you can appreciate we’re already incurring additional costs by making this change. So one of the ways we’re addressing that is by continuing to sell it at locations where tourists or passersby – or those who may already have a copy but want additional ones for whatever reason – can purchase them.
Where will the boxes be located?
We’re in the process of finalizing the details with the District and we’ll have a map of the locations on our website soon. But rest assured, you’ll be able to find it!
Will the content of the newspaper change?
I'm glad you asked! We're excited to unveil a 'refresh' of our masthead (logo), front page, and the newspaper itself will have updates and a cleaner look. But otherwise, you can expect the same great news coverage, opinions and views, sports and arts coverage – along with our events calendar, crossword and puzzles and classifieds, etc, etc.
And while we are talking about our coverage, let us toot our own horn a bit. Did you know we have broken at least nine big stories so far this week?
(This isn't all the news we brought you, these are just the most impactful Squamish stories we were the first to write about.)
Squamish’s Quest University granted creditor protection
Quest University hoping for $5-million loan
Green construction company to bring 150 jobs to Squamish
Uber and Lyft coming to Squamish
Squamish Budget Inn to be replaced by 67-unit rental development
Squamish considers hiking cemetery burial fees
Housing proposal for former Eagle Vista Campground site clears a hurdle
This is why what we do matters and why we want your help to keep doing it.
MEMBERSHIP CLUB:
What’s this Squamish Chief membership club all about?
Well, first and foremost it’s about protecting a free press and keeping local, community journalism in Squamish. Remember that we’re giving up our subscription and newsstand revenue, so we’re asking the community and our readers to help us pay for some of our costs. Supporting a newsroom – and being able to cover council and school board meetings, public hearings, and all the events and people who make our town great – has its costs. And don’t forget we are a business! So we’re asking for $5/month or $50/annually to support us, and along with keeping quality journalism in your town, you’ll get offers/discounts from local businesses and access to our digital replica edition online.
What’s the digital replica edition? Do you mean I have to pay to access the website?
The website – with over 300,000 page views per month – will continue to be free as always! The digital replica edition is an interactive digital edition of each newspaper, as well as access to our recent archives, in an easy-to-read format. Readers can also download PDFs of the digital edition. You will be given access to the digital edition (called Pagesuite) when you become a member.
I signed up to be a member but I didn’t get my coupons!
You will, but our coupons will be issued on the first of every month, so if you signed up on Jan. 23 you won’t get the email notification for the coupons until February
I’m not interested in supporting the membership club – I want my refund.
Please consider the important and vital role that a free press and journalism plays in all of our lives. We can’t make this happen by relying solely on businesses in town to advertise, we need our readers' support.
But if you want a refund of your subscription – even though you’re still getting a copy of the paper delivered to your home or a box nearby – please contact our circulation department to arrange it. Subscription balances under $20 will be not be refunded as this is an administration process free to cut and mail the cheque to you. Please allow six weeks to receive the refund in the mail, and we appreciate your patience. Keep in mind we have over 1,000 subscribers who will be converting to the membership program or asking for a refund.
Ideally, we would take whatever balance you have remaining and convert that into a membership and we’d be happy to arrange that for you over the phone.
I’m frustrated because you’re not giving me all the answers!!!
Understand this is a massive change for our business – one we feel is massively positive for the community – and there are a lot of logistics at our end as well! If you’re unsatisfied and would like to speak to our publisher, call our office and we will do our best to get you sorted. Here's our office number again: 604-892-9161.
