Squamish Canyon rezoning proposal heads to council

District of Squamish staff is recommending first and second reading for rezoning for the latest adventure tourism project in town.

Squamish Canyon received a provincial licence in 2017, and a rezoning application was brought before the district last year.

Squamish Canyon is located in the Power House spring area, with access off Mamquam Road.

The rezoning would allow 10.5 hectares of land for the project, which the proponent has said will address the corridor’s lack of engaging, safe, and fun adventure activities.

The first phase of the Squamish Canyon Proposal includes roughly 800m of boardwalk elevated off the forest floor and roughly 200m of canyon walkway.

The entrance will include a ticket booth, public washrooms and a concession stand. The trail network ends at an event space and children’s natural play area are also located on elevated platforms.

This area will consist of a playground, washrooms, concession stand, small merchandise area and a small stage.

The second phase of the project would include the addition of two bridges over the canyon and more elevated boardwalks with lookout platforms on the other side of the canyon.

Squamish Canyon expects 109,000 visitors in the first year, a number that is anticipated to grow to 136,000 by the third year.

An average party size is expected to be 3.3 people and a guest duration in the experience is an average of 2 hours, according to the staff report to council.

The daily average total visits is expected to be 374 visitors per day, which is expected to result in an average of 128 vehicles per day.

The applicant is exploring micro hydro power as a future renewable energy source, and the site will be connected to hydro with infrastructure capacity to accommodate electrical vehicle and bike charging stalls.

The site access will be through vehicles, but the project’s future direction includes electrical vehicle charging stalls, tour bus transportation and road upgrades to create a designated bike and walking area along Powerhouse Springs Road from the Valleycliffe community.

Access to mountain biking trails via the service road will not be impacted by this project, the applicant says.

The applicant recently obtained a Road Use Permit for the Mamquam Forest Service Road, which lists the project as a secondary maintainer and requires dust control and other forms of maintenance for the portion of road that the project will be using.

The proponent, Robin Sherry, says he aims to create a unique outdoor space amongst the forest for visitors, the community and local artisans. “A space that is enjoyable in any weather conditions and shines during our wonderful rainy season.”

There are several community benefits to the project, he says.