By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Nov. 3, 2012
The proponent of a planned retreat facility in Brittania Beach says it could take up to two more years before construction begins on the project.
In an interview with the Squamish Reporter, spokesperson for the project, Fadi Sarraf, said the conceptual design and route has been created for the conference centre.
“We are fundraising as of now, but we hope to start building there by the spring of 2014,” Sarraf said.
Sarraf said access issues and difficult building terrain are just some challenges that the project faces.
“I wish we could do this sooner,” Sarraf said.
The conference centre was first proposed four years ago by Institute for Research, Communication and Development (IRCD), a non-profit with close ties to Opus Dei.
The centre will host spiritual activities for the Opus Dei, a Catholic Church institution, made infamous by Dan Brown’s fictional best seller, The Da Vinci Code.
The centre’s affiliations with Opus Dei, a Catholic Church institution, led to opposition from several Britannia Beach residents.
The centre, however, managed to secure rezoning for the 66-acre site overlooking the Howe Sound in 2010.
It is bordered to the west by Howe Sound, to the south by commercial and residential areas of Britannia Beach, and to the north and east by crown land.
The proponents agreed to a $10,000 contribution for the fire hall, and a single track trail through the property connecting to Murrin Park.
With funding in place, the centre would be eager to share those amenities with the community.
Sarraf said the proponents have talked to Brittania Beach residents, and tried to quell fear about the centre.
He said the centre was partners with Opus Dei, but will be open to all people.
“We are building a retreat where people can walk, talk and reflect,”
Some members of the Britannia Beach community still seem to hold sharply different views about the project.
Area resident Nick Tattersfield said the project has been defamed by what he called ‘stupid bigotry’.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there,” he said.
“There are no shadowy figures walking out of Dan Brown’s book.”
Meanwhile, another Brittania Beach resident, Ralph Fulber said the proponents cast the whole issue as one of religious freedom.
It was a land issue, he said.
“This was meant to be strictly residential area, and this is what the community was expecting,” Fulber said.
He also said Opus Dei has a questionable history, alleging it was closely tied to Fascist and German Nazi movements in Europe.
Still, he said wouldn’t oppose the Brittania Beach development, if and when it moves forward.
“If Hells Angels wanted to start a club here, I would tolerate them, but that doesn’t mean I will support them.”
Andrew says
A close family member of mine became part of the Opus Dei Org many years ago. She was brainwashed into “donating” all her money and slowly became isolated from her family and friends. I’m usually open to any organization being free to operate where ever it chooses. In my experience however, that very same freedom is not afforded to its own members in Opus Dei
Peter says
Wow! That’s certainly not my experience of Opus Dei. I’ve been involved with it for many years in Vancouver and have never come across any situation remotely similar to the one Andrew is describing.
Previous to Opus Dei, I was in an organization which did brainwash its followers, so I am hyper-sensitive to any lack of personal freedom and would vigorously oppose it, which I have never had to do with opus Dei.
Perhaps this person’s family and friends found her commitment to her faith difficult to accept since it meant she put God ahead of them?