EDITOR,
The parking lot on Mamquam Road adjacent to, and to the east of, the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club is used on a year-round basis by the public who include dogs and owners, mothers pushing children in carriages, bird watchers, walkers and hikers and the public in general. The use of this parking lot is graciously provided for by the Golf Club, of which the lot is part of the course property, as well as the walking trail between the Mamquam River and the golf course. The golf course and Cardinal Concrete (located across the road) proudly display a sign with the following:
"This kiosk and parking lot generously supported by Cardinal Concrete Ltd. and Squamish Valley Golf & Country Club."
A pat on the back to them, but in all fairness, if the two "supporters" wish to continue to pat themselves on the back, they may want to take into consideration the parking lot conditions as described, which is usually made up of a series of giant water-filled ponds which prevents users (as described above) to park, and easily access the trail. This condition is frequent on a year-round basis, especially after a rainfall.
Surely the two described "supporters" can maintain the parking lot considering the resources of equipment and material available to both. Just today I noticed appropriate machinery sitting idle on both supporters properties.
I would imagine both "supporters" could fence off and close down the parking for lack of will to maintain, but if so, one would hope they would do the right thing and remove the sign describing them as "supporters."
Tom Jarvis
Squamish
Editor's note: Jason Vanzella, assistant superintendent with the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club, was asked to comment on the above letter. He acknowledged that the parking lot's surface is uneven and said course maintenance crews plan to "get over there in the next few weeks and grade it (the lot) out."
