From time to time, there are issues that come up in the district of Squamish that affect the lives and culture of the climbing community surrounding our mountain town. As a climbing publication, Squamish Climbing Magazine is dedicated to providing information about these issues. However, it should be noted we are not without bias, as we are an advocate for climbers needs throughout the sea to sky corridor. Without representation in our community, the needs of climbers and climber groups may not be known to the greater community and for that we are all responsible.
In the upcoming week (Tuesday to be exact), an adventure ropes course, designed by local company Kristall Turm, is once again being considered for the parking lot across from the Adventure Centre. This development was originally proposed in March of this year, when council had to a re-zone the site to permit commercial activity. During a council meeting in March, where the re-zoning took place, was the first time that the proposal received public attention. Other meetings regarding the proposal took place “in camera” or out of public view. Covered in detail by the Squamish Chief, this proposal seemed to come and go with rumours of support for this proposal dying out.
Two days ago, the proposal by Kristall Turm resurfaced, with discussion to take place at a community council meeting on Tuesday December 20th, 2016 @ 1pm taking place at city hall. The addition of this proposal was not put out in advance and with it being so close to the holidays, a number of people in our community (especially climbers who travel during the holidays) may not be able to voice their concerns publicly.
Why should climbers care?
Squamish has a rapidly-worsening public parking problem because of increased visitor activity in the corridor. Parking at the Chief and at Murrin Park is often completely filled by mid-morning on busy days. Recently, BC parks has indicated to our access groups that they will be enforcing illegal parking more strictly going forward, reducing further capacity at these locations. Without a doubt, part of a future solution for parking will be more car-pooling or even better, a park-and-ride bus service from Squamish to key outdoor locations in the Sea to Sky region. This type of system already happens in a variety of climbing destinations, such as Zion National park and Yosemite Valley.
Centrally located, the Adventure Centre parking lot may be the solution to our long term parking problem.When the Adventure Centre was first proposed for Squamish, the intention was for outdoor enthusiasts who embraced the sea to sky to have a focal point for setting off for adventure. With that came a community place embraced by all. For the travelling and local climber alike, the Adventure Centre Parking lot has traditionally played a significant role for many of us as we navigate the Sea to Sky corridor. As a gathering place in morning or a refuge in the afternoon, the adventure centre plays a big role in the exchange of climbing culture. As parking spots disappear in the sea to sky corridor, this area may remain vital for the organization of outdoor activities. Once these areas are given up by the public for commercial use to any organization, the options to solve our community parking problems may become smaller and smaller.
For those climbers wishing to make their voices heard on this issue, please write to council at council@squamish.ca before Tuesday, Dec. 20th, 2016. Even better, attend the council meeting and express your concerns in person!
Special thanks to Toby Foord-Kelcey for information keeping us informed!
