In 2003 our community received an incredible gift. In a transaction facilitated by Squamish Nation, the province of British Columbia transferred title to 60 acres of land and 40 acres of water lots to us for a nominal amount.
And it wasn't just any land. Downtown, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and unsurpassed views, this property is a cornerstone of our community for many reasons, least of which may be the high monetary value.
This property is our chance to reconnect to the ocean, our opportunity for the waters of Howe Sound to become an everyday part of life in Squamish. It is also an opportunity to enhance economic vibrancy and the social benefits that flow from it. This land is in transition and what it will become will determine the identity of our community.
With this responsibility in mind, the District of Squamish began the daunting task of planning the entire peninsula in the June, 2008. This process included not only our community land, managed by Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation (SODC) but also lands owned by BCR Properties and Westmana.
The "Create the Oceanfront" process reached the policy statement stage last spring. This allowed the SODC, led by chair Bill McNeney, to complete a land use proposal and business development plan for our land. This work was revealed last Thursday (Oct. 29) at a public open house.
The results are momentous and exciting. I feel confident that anyone who saw the video presentation was impressed with how the plan embraced our wishes. It includes features such as a large oceanfront park, wind sport launch, community theatre, arts centre, the O'Siem Coast Salish pavilion and uninterrupted perimeter trails and boardwalks.
Exciting housing developments ranging from townhouses to eight story buildings integrate with a world-class hotel, hundreds of marine slips, an optional cruise ship terminal, a university campus, an edgy retail shopping and entertainment district plus commercial, knowledge based and marine industrial space which will yield 2,500 jobs.
Keep posted for web links that will allow you to remotely view the video presentation. When you have done this, the question quickly will become "what's next?"
Fortunately, a logical phasing plan is laid out. It calls for bold first steps: the creation of the Oceanfront Park and then the hotel development at the south end of the peninsula.
Work will begin immediately on the sub-area plan and rezoning applications. The future has finally arrived for our oceanfront land. Let's take a moment to celebrate this milestone, then let's get on with writing our history.
