By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: September 16, 2018
An exciting new destination experience is coming to town.
Mamquam Adventures Inc, a local company along with its ‘world-class’ partners, is designing a year-round, all-weather experience which can be enjoyed by the locals as well as the tourists travelling on the Highway 99.
Squamish Canyon, the proponents say, will address the Sea to Sky Corridor’s critical lack of engaging, safe, and fun experiences for visitors of all ages.
They hope to be open to the public by the summer of 2019, but the proponents aren’t revealing the exact location in Squamish.
This is how the proponents describe what you will experience at the Squamish Canyon.
“At Squamish Canyon, you will be immersed in the natural beauty of the place named “Mother of Wind”, walking over waterfalls, along the edge of canyon walls, and through a majestic rainforest on boardwalks, bridges, and suspended walkways, an experience only a white water kayaker or climber could previously enjoy. Along the journey visitors will learn about local ecosystems, glacial water systems, outdoor safety, the history of the land and the First Nations of the area, as well as safety and conservation.”
In an interview with the Reporter, Robin Sherry, one of the proponents, said they are trying to create a solution to a certain Squamish problem.
Sherry, a Squamish Search and Rescue team member, said many people want to immerse themselves in the nature that abounds in the area but it can lead to tragic consequences, such as the death at the Shannon Falls this summer.
Squamish Canyon will offer a unique immersion in nature but in a safe way that will also preserve the forest.
Sherry has lived in Squamish for a decade and has volunteered with the fire department and local SAR and has had first hand experiences of rescues where the desire to get too close to nature had tragic consequences.
“We want a safe and an affordable destination especially during the rainy and foggy season. Locals can have passes and use them all year round. They can have a coffee there, listen to music and hear educational talk while the kids are playing in a covered area in the rainy season. With this, we will all have a place to go outside. We are not a boosting it as a tourist attraction but as a visitor destination,” he said.
The company intends to balance growth and purpose in creating Squamish Canyon, and the project aims to diversify the economy of the area and create a place for the local community and visitors to ‘revel in the natural, rustic beauty of Canada’s outdoor recreation capital.’
Dave Colwell says
Now let’s get this straight: The primary objective here is not safety, it is about making money. Pass=Fee. The Gondola does not charge people who walk up and down. Neither should this venture. I know the location and I used to fish there. I bet I will not be able to soon. What I do know is that I can expect to be surrounded by hoards of ‘Selfie -seekers’, should I venture there…which will be highly unlikely, given my past memories.
robin sherry says
Dear Dave the primary objective is safety, I risked my life in that canyon 5 years ago trying to save a young university student who didn’t know anything about the dangers of moving water, like many other people, I next week I did a body recovery of another young man from the Elaho River. This year we lost 6 people to moving water. This one of the many reasons behind this great project. And yes to secure an protect an area like this you have to make a viable business so the crown land authorities allow you to use it, but most of the area is used for industrial and logging. We are trying to create a great way to educate on many levels, preserve a beautiful area and create a great business that will be for the community and give back to the community!
Kevin Carriere says
Robin – I appreciate you taking the time to reply to comments. Could you elaborate on how you plan to approach access issues in the area? There are groups already recreating here.
robin sherry says
Hi Kevin
We will be working with groups to see how this can work, be safe and still protect the natural elements of the area, and not make anyone liable or put anyone at risk.
Ross says
Gee, sounds great. Show me the money!!!
robin sherry says
Hey Ross
There will be an opportunity for the public to invest in this great project. We wanted the community to benefit from any success the project might have. That is part of the pillars of the Squamish canyon, we will be working towards b-corp certification, that means that we are accountable to our stakeholders and our stakeholders our are community our environment our employees and so on, it is a sustainable and ethical way to do business.
Jim says
I know you cant fix stupid so, Please Please incorporate enough safety and prevention that the stupid will not try and jump from the features to the water.
robin sherry says
That’s what our main goal is Jim, Safety! we don’t like to think of people as stupid but just unaware, we will be striving to offer a great education program that helps people become more aware and respect nature.
Toby FK says
From the article, this project sounds like a done deal but I assume in reality it is still seeking approval as I am not aware of any consultation with interested parties. Has a formal application been submitted that people can look at? If so, I suggest updating the article with a link.
Christine says
We are ruining this town and the nature
that surrounds it, with things like this.
Let this site be, just how it is, and let those
who know about it and use it continue to do
so, as is. Why must we capitalize on and
Tourist-ize everything? Is nothing sacred?
The pass fee is just to pay for building a
bunch of walkways and bridges that are not
necessary, and make money. As for it being
developed under the guise of ‘safety’ – people
will always go off the trail/path or beyond
the boundary/sign – no matter what
barriers and signs you put up. The deaths
at Shannon Falls were terrible and sad –
but it appears they were mainly due to
carelessness – they shouldn’t have been
doing what there were doing, where they
were doing it. SAR calls are unfortunately
a factor of this area and the lifestyle,
landscape, terrain here – we are the
recreation capital of Canada, afterall.
If the cost and number of SAR calls is
really the issue/motivation then let’s
find a solution to raise more $ to
support our amazing SAR team. I’m also
curious to know what the safety/SAR stats
are for this particular site – has anyone died
there, how many, how often/many calls, etc?
Just to get a sense of the justification for
developing this site, from a safety perspective.
robin sherry says
Hi Christine
Thanks for your concerns. However, I total agree that there is a lot of development happening In this town and it’s scary to see. but we weren’t the first here and we won’t be the last. Not only are we trying to let this site be, but we have also spent the last 5 years trying to diversify the natural resources in this area. This area is crown land and is used for logging and other industrial use, hence the powerplants and clear cuts that go on. Now we all use the resources that these industries create and we need them too, but we saw a different use for this land which would help preserve it, turn the second growth trees into old growth and have it Not be zoned as residential and turn into more houses. We saw a great place to educate our public that visit and live in the area about things like ecology, outdoor respect and safety, the logging and cultural history in the area and do it with features that would be the least invasive as possible to the forest. In regards to the local SAR, its great that you think throwing money at SAR will solve the problem but we are a volunteer organization, and although I am not speaking on behalf of all the great volunteers, our calls are going up and up, as are less able visitors try to find something to do and see, we are going to help create a place that does that for the young and old. The idea is to one, educate that public so they become more aware of the dangers in the wild and two offer experience that is safe, In turn, we hope to see fewer calls for our local First Responders in the area. And to address your question on any accidents on the site this is what I wrote another person that had a similar question. 5 years ago I was the rescue swimmer for a young boy that passed away in that area, he was unaware of the dangers of the water levels in the area, the next week I was doing a body recovery of another man on the Elaho River, this year we have had six deaths in moving water from public that did not know the dangers of river. This is one of the issues we are trying to become a solution for.
Swiller says
With every new venture comes a little discomfort. Seeing a project like this instead of the area being logged or developed into housing might be a welcomed sight. I’d rather look at the landscape than another construction sight. I’m sure this are would become that at some point no?
Tyler Burslem says
There are plenty of places to adventure and hike at your own leisure. It’s great to see a project like this that offers an educational experience for the willing in a beautiful canyon. I’d also say it’s great to see an eco based business that will protect this area from the inevitable logging or housing developments. Not everyone has the ability to experience the ruggedness and beauty of the sea to sky and I look forward to bringing my kids, parents and grandparents on this safe and educational tour.
Laura Modray says
No no no. This spot is beautiful just the way it is. I have brought many people here for years without any safety issues. My 71 year old mother has no issues on the trails as they are now. This smells as a money grab to me. The whole beauty of this area is that it is relatively untouched. I strongly oppose this. Pretty sure the FSR road doesn’t need the extra traffic either.
robin sherry says
Hi Laura
I can assure this project will be tastefully done and you will be proud that it is part of your town when it is complete. When your grandmother is 80, I am sure she will appreciate the accessibility. Once again this is a business done right, to start a business and run a business it does require money. It is hardly untouched Laura, it is a heavily industrialized area. I will be happy to show you all that has gone on there and will continue to go on into the future. We will be doing a history on the culture and industrial history of the area and how projects like this and industry can co-exist. In regards to the FSR, we will be working with all other industry in the area and the city to make that road safer and more pleasant. So we eliminate the dust in the summer and limit or eliminate the potholes. We want that road to be more enjoyable for our current recreational and residents in the area. I live there too.
Ronald says
I frequent this area. I will not be paying to continue to adventure here.
aj says
This sounds like a fantastic idea! I really love that they are keeping in mind both the tourists and the locals who are not able to get into the backcountry regularly or easily. This is such a beautiful part of the world, but so many are unable to experience it up close. More outdoor recreation options that are wheelchair and stroller accessible are definitely needed!. I’m very curious to hear what the location will be and how accessible it will be from town. I also hope that this will truly be as affordable as planned.
robin sherry says
Hi Aj
Thanks for your support, we will be working towards making it accessible as possible to all and continue into the future. We chose the location for one of those reasons, there are many locations like this in the area, but most are only accessible to the very able, that’s why its such an ideal location. And yes our locals will be quite happy with how affordable it is for them, and the priorities and benefits that our locals will get.
Rob says
There’s already a site there; it’s the white water kayaking training site. There are also walking paths to view the river and canyon. Why does it need to be developed further? What will happen to the kayaking site and access to it?
robin sherry says
Hi Rob
Full Access to the Kayaking site will stay the same, I use the site to Rob. That’s on private land. You can look at it as developed, Rob, I am looking at it as preserved and made accessible and safe well into the future of Squamish. I encourage other residents to use their money and go out and diversify our crown land for great projects that help preserve more great areas. I can assure you-you will be proud of the beautiful walkways and the forest first direction we are taking.
Miriam says
The project only attracts more negative 👎 energies . And this time is not good to put human garbage and waste to nature. People is trying to put their web as spiders allover Sea to Sky for to make money! No to the project! Fix first the housing for local people who can’t live in their own town !
Peter W says
I just wish proponents would admit that the number one reason for the project is financial. At least I can understand the goal. But don’t try to hide that fact. If the goal in this particular proposal was to promote safety and keep people from putting themselves in danger then why would you expose them to a dangerous place? Lynn Canyon comes to mind. Beautiful canyon, suspension bridge, walking trails, eco education etc. People get rescued there every year and die every few years. Oh and btw, it’s a park, not a for profit enterprise. Why not put in a proposal to make it a park? No houses, no development etc. Free for all.
robin sherry says
Hi Peter, Yes we are business if you read some of the other responses you will understand a bit more of how the business will work with strong ethical, community and environmental direction and how that works when you ask for permission to use crown land, you have to show a viable business to get the use and then you have to have the logging removed for a project like this to work, is our goal to be successful yes, is that are the main goal? No! but thank you for your assumptions. A private citizen turning crown land into a park? I’ll let you do some research on how that works or doesn’t Ken. I did lots of research into Lynn Canyon, and yes they have a had many deaths and injuries because it is easy to access and unregulated, which right now more and more kids are going to this area to cliff jump and post it. It will not be long before this is a place where kids are getting injured and more deaths. When Lynn Canyon did a program where the Firefighters and Parks staff did an educational program and made the presence there Lynn Caynon Injuries dropped by 70% ish. Also, our project will be safe and built to not expose to danger, with all the proper precautions.
Matt W says
I’m curious, will access occur via the Mamquam FSR? If so, will this road see any form of upgrade? As it stands, the first few KM is packed full of recreational users already, how is this project going to impact access to these well used (and much loved) areas? With both human and car traffic already increasing every year along this somewhat treacherous road, this could become a whole other safety concern!
J.P. Caputa says
Will the proponent be paying to pave the Mamquam FSR? That would be a huge benefit to the community.
Michael heinrich says
Has a plan been put into place to mitigate the increased dust levels that inevitably will encroach the neighbourhoods that boarder the FSR?…this has already been a concern for residents with current traffic levels?