Every year, the Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR) heroes give thousands of selfless hours to the task of bringing people back to safety in the outdoor recreation capital of Canada.
But now Squamish SAR is worried whether they will have a base and a compound to work from as they face a July 2021 deadline of a lease expiry with the district.
The local SAR operates from district-owned land located near the former Whistle Punk Hollow golf course, behind the forestry centre on Centennial Way.
SAR has found out the district is mulling over the question of disposal, although a final decision has yet to be taken.
This has created uncertainty and anxiety about the future, says the new SAR president Gerald Wolfe. “That is our biggest concern at this point because our lease with the district is up in July 2021,” he said.
Not having the base and the compound to operate from will be a problem for this volunteer-run program, Wolfe says.
“The land and the buildings have all been supplied to us, so it can be a big problem for us. And if we have to move, then we need to know as soon as possible,” he says.
Wolfe volunteered with the Squamish SAR for a decade before getting elected as the president last month. Raz Peel, another experienced volunteer, was elected as the vice-president.
SAR currently operates a shipping container in Valleycliffe as a command post when there is a rescue mission in the area or at the Squamish Chief mountain. This year, however, SAR is planning to buy a new modern command vehicle.
SAR will also develop new helicopter safety procedures for volunteers this year.
The 70-person SAR is run completely by volunteers with the help of provincial and gaming grants as well as individual and member donations.
Last year, dedicated SAR volunteers took part in 97 search operations.
You can donate online or contact SAR to discuss a donation in-person.
ted says
do not like the district selling that piece of land . The idea with buying it in the first place was to have room to expand Brennen Park in the future .