Outdoor recreation isn't all fun and games, some council hopefuls learned at the Outdoor Recreation All-Candidates Meeting hosted by the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association on Sept. 26.
It was a very Squamish event, with some council candidates realizing just how often council grapples with recreation concerns.
For some candidates, it was apparently a night of learning, while for others — particularly those with council experience or a background in the outdoors community — there was less catch up to do.
“It was about 50-50 [whether candidates were aware of the issues],” said Melissa Sheridan, now acting president of SORCA. “I think they all understand the value of mountain biking and what it brings to Squamish.”
Mountain biking wasn’t the only issue candidates had to answer for at the meeting.
The event was also attended by the Squamish Dirt Bike Association, Squamish Windsports Society, Squamish Yacht Club, Squamish Access Society, and Squamish Trails Society.
Each organization had their own table, where members queried candidates on their knowledge of specific issues and concerns. The remaining tables had members of the public seated to ask general questions.
Two candidates had around 10 minutes to answer questions at each table, before swapping to the next. It was the third election in a row that SORCA has hosted the event.
“I think the night went really well, I think it was a really great format, where we get to speak one on one, asking a number of different questions,” said Sheridan.
“We won’t vote for them just because they’re a mountain biker, by any means,” she laughed when asked if sporty candidates have the edge among voters. “But it is a general understanding of... our main focus, and our main concerns, that’s the biggest thing.”
To open the evening, candidates were invited up for a “one minute intro” including “their top priority for outdoor recreation here in Squamish and what they’d like to achieve.”
Mayoral candidate Susan Chapelle shared a story of going into labour on Diedre — a six pitch climb up the apron on the Stawamus Chief — to establish her outdoor credentials, noting that she arrived in Squamish to mountain bike and climb.
Mayoral candidate Paul Lalli said growing up in Squamish, he remembers the BMX track and dirt biking through the back trails. He said his priority, as a father whose children enjoy the trails, is to channel funds into youth-focused recreation.
Candidate Jeff Cooke – former president of SORCA – didn’t mention his past with the organization. Instead, he spoke generally about taxes, infrastructure debt and why previous council experience wasn’t necessary for his run.
“I’d really love to be able to stand up here tonight and tell you that I’m a super athlete — but I’m not,” aknowledged mayoral candidate Karen Elliott in her introduction.
Despite her “weekend warrior” status, Elliott stressed the value of recreational amenities and addressed tourism management in her introduction — including low-cost campgrounds, trailhead services, signage, and parking.
Councillor candidate introductions were similar — deferring to general concern for trails if they couldn’t put forward their personal experience with garages full of bikes and backcountry adventures.
Candidates Jacquie Menezes and Terrill Patterson were not in attendance.
The topic of managing tourism was a hot item around a number of tables, as were financial contributions from council to different groups.
In 2017 SORCA received $75,000 in a large community grant from council. Each year they are required to apply but have repeatedly asked council to make multi-year commitments.
Each group in attendance also have specific concerns regarding development and municipal decisions. For example, the Yacht Club recently renewed its lease for the next five years, while the Dirtbike Association is concerned that new development is being considered for riding areas like Brohm Ridge.
At the table for the Squamish Windsports Society candidates were able to look at a map, showing the current orientation of The Spit launch and the “golden triangle” of favourable winds for launching and landing.
Access to the area, including the grading of the gravel road, was discussed.
Toby Foord-Kelcey, representing climbers as president of the Squamish Access Society, said just over half the candidates were able to name a climbing route in Squamish. Burgers and Fries, a popular and easy climb in the Smoke Bluffs, was named by four candidates.
Foord-Kelcey said on a more serious note, establishing low-cost campsites to manage summer camping issues is a pressing concern that the Access Society has been involved with.
“We’re delighted that the District has engaged with that, and we have a working group that Natasha Golbeck has been running since May,” he said. “It involves provincial people and District people and a few non-profit representatives like me.”
“What I’m encouraged by is when we talk about this to most people here, I would say perhaps as many as 90 per cent of the people we’ve spoken to get it. That this is something that is presented to them on council, they are going to understand it and solve it. I’m encouraged by that,” he said.
