By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Oct. 19, 2012
There is potholed parking spots, few benches to sit and enjoy the view, and there are hardly any signs guiding visitors to downtown or any other tourist attractions.
But perhaps the real shame is that one of the most visited tourist spot in this town, the Eagle View dike, doesn’t even have a proper washroom.
What is even more shameful: It was supposed to be built five years ago.
Construction of a washroom along the Eagle Viewing area was one of the top goals listed by the district in its 2007 annual report. (See Page 11, under Operations).
Five years later, the district has no plans whatsoever to construct the washroom.
Constructing one, the district says, is not a ‘simple matter.’
So, this complex project won’t be completed this year, or any time soon.
“While the construction of a washroom may have been a district goal in 2008, other projects have taken priority since then,” said Christina Moore, the district spokesperson.
Try telling that to Brandy Howard or Mike Meloche.
Both work at the Watershed Grill, and often guide a steady stream of tourists to their washroom.
“It’s not the kind of thing we encourage, but what can you do when there is no public washroom,” says Brandy Howard.
There is an outhouse, but only the really desperate will venture there.
Last year, the district also took away parking from the street, which left just a narrow stretch of area across the dike for parking.
Unpaved and potholed, that area is now crowded with cars and buses during summer and winter.
“There is inadequate parking, and a lot of tourists and patrons simply drive away,” said restaurant worker Mike Meloche.
At the Squamish Adventure Centre, meanwhile, tourists keep asking for eagles.
“Even in the summer we have tourists asking for eagles,” said a visitor centre employee.
They often point them to the Eagle Viewing dike.
As a resident of Brackendale, and member of the Brackendale Owners and Tenants Association, Stephane Perron said he is concerned.
The shabby outhouse, and the non-existent washroom, is a sad metaphor for the overall neglect of one of the most visited tourist spots in Squamish, he said.
“There are few places for people to sit, there are no signs or guides pointing people to our downtown, there is just no plan for it,” Perron said.
Tourism Squamish, meanwhile, says it’s not their mandate to address infrastructure issues.
“Tourism Squamish is focused on marketing Squamish as a destination,” said Lesley Weeks.
“Our goal is to bring visitors to Squamish throughout the year to experience all that it has to offer.”
In the next marketing push, perhaps Tourism Squamish should mention a dirty outhouse, lack of benches, and a non-existent washroom as the top attractions along Eagle Viewing area.
David Lassmann says
It would be nice if the District put in a proper toilet. It would be even nicer if the owners and workers of the Watershed Grill would recognize that the Eagleview parking lot was not put there in order to provide parking for their customers. Look at the Watershed Grill property. Where is the parking for the customers? There is only room at the location for about four vehicles.
heather says
Lack of the provision of a washroom is thoughtless planning for a tourist venue. It reminds me of the time a friend bought an apartment at Marina Estates and the plan mentioned a walkway that was going to be built along the Blind Channel. It sounded very attractive and it would have made a pleasant walk to and from town. Well, that is a plan they are now talking about again – some 15 years later…..
Joanna Schwarz says
It doesn’t take much to provide a welcome mat to tourists and give citizens a sense of pride. If the above mentioned items – washroom, benches, proper parking plus a welcome sign to Squamish outlining key attractions – were in place, we would all benefit. If I visited a new community and found such a lack, I’m not sure I would return. I sure remember the places, however, that have attractive parks, signage and amenities. We return to them again and again in our travels.
Stéphane Perron says
The Eagle viewing dike has a lot going for itself. It has beautiful
trees, superb views, etc. With a little help it could be made into something that leaves a lasting, positive impression on our visitors, and supports our tourism industry. A proper gravel walking surface, signage directing people to our downtown and waterfront, info about local activities and accommodation, and, yes, better seating and a proper toilet would go a long way. Hundreds and hundreds of visitors from all over the world come by the eagle viewing dike throughout the year. Are we sending them the message that we are open for business and that they should spend more time here? If we want the tourism industry to invest in Squamish and create jobs, we must provide it with the the basic infrastructure it needs to flourish. Local residents will also benefit from the enjoyment of improved facilities.
Glenne Campbell says
At the beginning of this century, there was a beautiful ” Eagles of Brackendale” tourism centre at the International Arrivals area of the Vancouver airport. Sadly, it has been removed. One wonders about the corelation between inviting guests to our home and welcoming them to a promised experience.
But we must look at the big picture. Was the airport tourist centre removed when the Brackendale eagle viewing became a non event due to an obvious lack of eagles?
Is the idea of eagle viewing an acceptable Bait? with the actual experience of viewing an absolute granduer valley the Hook? If so, the welcoming mat should be laid on in full splender.
A call to the marketing dept of Vancouver International Airport may reveal some obvious truths and inspire us to reinterpret and redesign an increbible asset to our town.
Jim Harvey says
There is a very long list of possible infrastructure investments that would benefit our still largely undeveloped tourism potential. A proper ‘john’ at the dyke would certainly fit that bill as would countless other investments of equal importance. Regrettably so much of our scarce community resources have been frittered away on largely bureaucratic initiatives and capital intensive (& divisive) projects like the AC that very little basic stuff gets done.
A successful model for the way forward that many community members are unaware of is what’s happening in the Smoke Bluffs Park. The SBP is one of the most important and accessible rock climbing areas in Canada. Under the auspices of an impassioned volunteer management Board , an innovative public/private sector project implementation capacity and modest annual funding from DOS , major improvements are being made to the Park. I think that this model could be applied to many other components of our tourism infrastructure.
Stéphane Perron says
That is en excellent suggestion, Jim, if I ever find the time, I would like to initiate that.
Muriel Shephard says
I’ve reached the age when I appreciate a place to sit when out for a walk. This dyke is one of the few trails to have any seats at all. The benches on this dyke were all provided by individuals – singly or collectively, not by the District.
The parking lot opposite has been graded from time to time. It is well frequented by patrons of the Watershed Grill. Perhaps this benefit to the pub offsets requests by other visitors to use the washroom?
The section of Government Road with no parking signs is quite short, and on the bend opposite the Watershed Grill, for safety reasons. It only inconveniences patrons a matter of 50 yards to have to park further along and eliminates about 4 parking spaces.
Anonymous says
Speaking of signs, when will the new “Squamish” sign go up showing all they are actually entering Squamish? You remember, the one that was taken out by a driver months ago. I’m embarrassed to say, most of the folks I speak to think Squamish consists of “McDonalds and Whitespot” and when I inform them otherwise, about a wonderful downtown core, they respond, “really”. And don’t get me started on the “um, not-so-flatering” photo that hangs on the entrance wall of the Adventure Centre depicting a “blue-tarped” downtown Squamish. I shrink everytime I go in there. Is this really the best photo that could have been taken to showcase downtown Squamish. Who makes these decisions? I shake my head.
Great Article Gagan!
Glenne Campbell says
The world is catching on about the beauty in and around Squamish. Did you know that Condor Air flights out of Vancouver to Europe, track the route across Canada. The first place showcased is Squamish! Followed by a prairie location and lastly Inuktuk. How many people see that???? For that free ( i assume) marketing value, could we match funds in projects and attitudes to meet world class standards?
More importantly, do we have an idea of our own unique standard goal?