Photo: Gagandeep Ghuman
By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Dec 7, 2013
Downtown Squamish BIA is working with community groups to create a legacy downtown that will boost the local economy by making our waterfront accessible and attractive to locals and tourists while celebrating the town’s history.
The legacy project proposed by BIA in downtown Squamish is one of the project picked by the District Legacy Task Force to be taken to council.
“This project will also help Downtown Squamish become a destination in itself for locals and tourists,” said Christine Campbell, BIA executive director.
Squamish will be 100 years old in 2014.
It was 100 years ago in 1914 that Squamish was given the authority to form its own government; it was also the year the town’s name was changed from Newport to Squamish.
To remember and celebrate this history, DSBIA and the district have worked together for the last one year, brainstorming with an array of community stakeholders on how best to retell the story of Squamish.
Downtown waterfront will be the stage where this history will be recounted through historic canoes, totem pole carving, interpretive signs, a covered deck and a picnic pavilion all overlooking a dike with bike and pedestrian paths.
Waterfront access will be another attractive feature with docks for kayaks, stand up paddleboards and canoes.
“We are honoured to have the support of Squamish Nation families in our joint waterfront project proposal,” said committee member Marnie Lett.
Historian Eric Andersen said Lot 1, the waterfront area accessible from Victoria Street, was given the name of Xwu’nekw – where warriors beach their war canoes.
The site played a central role in Squamish’s economic activities beginning in 1913 with the Pacific Great Eastern Railway Company establishing shops, offices and a railway station along this waterfront land, he said.
The historically rich waterfront land is now merely an eye sore, a dumping ground and
In its railway line and crumbling docks, the past still marks its presence on the waterfront, but for most visitors and locals, it’s an eyesore, overgrown with vegetation and littered with fetid refuse.
The Squamish Legacy Project aims to clean and varnish this land with history, stitching together present with the past.
The Squamish Legacy Team will soon take their proposal to the district, which will pitch in, and apply the proposal for federal heritage funding.
DSBIA executive director, Christine Campbell said BIA and the legacy committee members are excited about the project.
“We are excited to share the vision with our community,” she said.
Brad Hodge says
The only part I don’t like about this is that we have apparently given up trying to retain the trackage. I still think letting that go is a shortsighted decision. Would have been a convenient way to bring people into Downtown, or out of it from the planned cruise ship terminal.
Carolyn Morris says
I appreciate the cars in the image that are parked along Logger’s Lane. Parking is a growing challenge downtown, and I hope that this plan does expand Logger’s so to allow for parking along the sides of the road.
Stephane Perron Mr. says
This sounds like a very appropriate use for that land. I am glad the District Legacy Task Force will be presenting this project to Council. This is very much in line with the vision for the economic and social development of downtown. And with downtown business community support, first nation support, and possible federal funding, this project sounds like a winner. I look forward to hearing about other great idea like this for our centennial year.
heather gee says
I agree with Brad Hodge and hope the Legacy Task Force considers the retention of the train tracks and incorporates their use in the future development. (With the proviso that there is no insanely and unnecessarily loud noise similar to the other trains).
PS: I’ve always noticed that this land lies east of Loggers Lane. Hardly a good start to planning its development by depicting the location incorrectly.
Dave says
Surely we have to look into what use the District can actually drive regarding these tracks. Aren’t they owned by CN? Doesn’t CN decide if the are used or not and how?’
What will be sad is, if these tracks are left in the sad condition they are in, with all the alders etc. growing through, until the arguments cease to flow back and forth for months and even years. Talk about “Squamish Downtown Enhancement”….Here is a real issue to solve!…This needs to be fixed.
adam says
We need to ask tourists why they are not stopping in Squamish. I have asked people visiting Whistler why they don’t head downtown. The answer was a simple “why would I”. They are going to Whistler after all and see not reason to learn about our town or its 100 year history. The park will be nice for sure but the idea that it will really generate any tourism dollars or enough interest is generous at best.
Dave says
If you need something, go and look. If its there, then buy it…if the place is open!…Very simple.