EDITOR,
What direction exactly is Squamish heading?
Thank you councillors Race, Sander and Mayor Kirkham for not supporting the skatebowl under the Quest Bridge and my apologies if I offended you in any way. The last three months have been an emotional rollercoaster for me and my family.
District staff spent many hours to come up with the figures, research, and reports and presented it to councillors on March 25. It was recommended based on policy and feedback from residents to direct Squamish Masons Association to dismantle the skatebowl. Two councillors and the mayor did agree and voted as was recommended by planning staff against the project. It was soon clear that it would be voted down, so Coun. Raiser put in a motion in for a one-year trial. This motion carried the issue over to another meeting. Coun. Heintzman, who is in favour of the project, was away on March 25. So on April 1, after being advised by planning department again to dismantle the skatebowl and that the neighbours did not support this trial, period, councillors Chapelle, Raiser, Prior and Heintzman decided to ignore the recommendation and vote in favour for the skatebowl.
I feel like the laughingstock of this town and I am positive that many others feel the same way. Coun. Chapelle clearly states that I and everybody against the skatebowl have their knickers in a knot and within the skateboard community, we are also called: “close-minded, stupid, not giving a s---,” only to mention a few.
At the meeting Chapelle said that she does not care about safety and danger issues in this location, since she will not be using it. Raiser was already very excited to let us know about his future plan of what could also be added down under the bridge. Prior mentioned that other options were on the table but did not want to wait around for it. Other options were to make use of the existing one at Brennan Park. It could be turned onto something usable or put it beside the existing skatepark and put a roof over it. SMA has been working on a different addition at the existing skatepark for weeks now, so how come this opportunity was not used to start a skatebowl covered there?
did, in writing, apply to speak in front of council but was denied. I would have had people standing behind me if I would have been given the chance.
Our property is directly adjacent to this skatebowl.
Preserve and protect the natural environment: Protect environmentally sensitive areas that are the reason people have chosen to make Squamish their home.
Promote community identity and livability: Maintain the quality of life in each of the community’s unique neighborhoods.
Our unique neighborhood was pulled from under me on April 1, when four council members decided it was more important for skateboarders to have a new hangout.
Who is picking up the bill for all the hours that have been spent by city officials? There are no costs involved for taxpayers, right?
The Peterson Family
Garibaldi Highlands
