Editor's note: This letter was sent to Robin Arthurs, general manager of corporate services with the District of Squamish, as well as Squamish's mayor and council. It was copied to The Chief for publication.
Thank you for your letter dated Sept. 7 outlining council's direction in response to the Brackendale Farmer's Institute concerns about the GranFondo.
As a follow-up to the Fall Fair on Sept. 10, we want to bring a number of observations to the District's attention.
Every year we place nine directional signs for the Fall Fair at the Garibaldi Way, Mamquam Road and Depot Road intersections with the highway the morning before the Fair. This year three of the signs were ripped off their footings prior to Fall Fair. They have disappeared. We have been placing these signs since the beginning of time [you know what we mean] and now we will have to purchase new signs if they are not located, let alone the unfortunate result of few directional signs the day of the Fair.
Due to the GranFondo, we were also forced to move our official opening ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon. As we do every year, we arranged to have an RCMP member in official red serge to march with us... the kids love it. Unfortunately the constable did not make it on time for the official opening because of the road closure for the GranFondo despite the fact that the highway was supposed to be open intermittently after 11:30 a.m. This is what the constable indicated to us when he arrived late. So even the RCMP could not get somewhere on time as was committed to.
Last year, the first year of the GranFondo conflict, our attendance numbers were down 400 people. Although we have not tallied this year's attendance, we expect that our numbers will continue to be negatively affected by the GranFondo.
The GranFondo also impacts our volunteer base as more than 70 people now volunteer for the Fondo on that weekend. A number of our regular volunteers have now been recruited by the GranFondo.
Finally, when the highway eventually opened around noon, there was a mad rush at the Fair. Parking became such a problem that neighbours have complained that people were parking their vehicles on their grass or impeding their driveways. There were cars everywhere. We became concerned about the safety of people walking on the road and the amount of traffic congestion. And because of this rush, there were significant lineups to get into the fairgrounds and at the various events and food stalls. Prior to the GranFondo, there was a steady stream of people throughout the day, which was not only more manageable but a much more pleasant experience for everyone.
With these issues in mind, and a variety of other concerns about the impact of the GranFondo that we have heard in the community, we sincerely hope that everything possible will be done to ensure that the GranFondo does not disrupt our community in future years. There seems to be a way to divert the GranFondo riders so that the Garibaldi Highlands, where the majority of Squamish residents live, are not cut off from the rest of town for the better part of four hours. We also would like the GranFondo to change their date to another weekend to not directly impact the Fall Fair and consider having fewer riders in the event.
The GranFondo is not like the Test of Metal or the triathlon or other community-run events that contribute greatly to the health and welfare of the area. The GranFondo is a corporate event that seems to be all about making money for the organizers. There may be some economic spin-off for some local shops but as it is currently managed, the cons outweigh the pros considerably. Something needs to change.Thor FroslevBrackendale Farmers Institute
BRACKENDALE
