The District of Squamish is reviewing a development permit application and seeking feedback on Squamish Canyon, a new proposed tourist attraction.
The development permit application includes the design of the amenity areas, a lounge and café, and boardwalks.
A forest lounge will offer an artisan area for local artists who don’t have local storefronts, an all-weather gathering and educational space, an all-weather children’s play area and some local food and beverages.
Visitors will access the attraction from the Highway 99 turnoff, travelling 3 km along Mamquam Forest Service Road and 2 km along Powerhouse Springs Road.
The FSR will undergo significant upgrades including dust control, road surface improvements and the new safety signage and lower speed limits.
A 100-space car park will be located on the western side of Powerhouse Springs Road underneath the existing powerlines which will accommodate both Squamish Canyon visitors and local recreation users.
Entering the site visitors will encounter a guest services building and coffee stand. Squamish Canyon visitors will pass through a boardwalk entry and walk through the forest on a raised timber boardwalk with interpretive signage.
As they reach Mamquam River they will move onto a steel walkway which brings them right to the edge of the canyon. Continuing back into the forest on a boardwalk is the forest lounge and play area, and overlooking the play area is the forest lounge, artisan area and café.
Please submit comments to the district by phone (604-815-5002) or email (planning@squamish.ca). Comments can also be mailed or dropped off at the drop slot at Municipal Hall – 37955 2nd Avenue, Squamish BC, V8B 0A3.
Cami says
I feel as though this doesn’t help our Downtown businesses at all. This will end up being busloads of tourists that will go to the Gondola then the Canyon, and from there head up to Whistler. We need to focus more on our Downtown tourist attractions. This area is out of the way, and unless that road gets paved….it is a huge upset to local residents. The dust is unbearable and regardless of maintaining…it will need to be paved. Who pays for that???
Camille Goubet says
Please stop destroy the nature.
Stefan says
This is a horrible idea. Leave the forest alone. This idea will only cause further devistation to the beautiful forest as well as bring garbage and polution to the area. This area should be protected as a special place to be in nature. Not a tourist attraction. I agree with Cami. Keep the tourists down town. It is clear that tourists devistate natural areas. Look at the chief, joffre lakes, quary rock or other busy areas that are devistated by over use and a lack of respect for nature. I dont even visit these areas any longer as I am discusted by the lack of respect for nature. I find grbage in nature every time i go and end up packing out more than my backpack can carry every time. Don’t ruin another beautiful spot. Keep this area pure. There are already trails if you want to go for a walk. We dont need any more. Keep the traffic limited to people who can respect nature.
Jibran says
As long as access for kayakers to paddle the falls and any other sections of the river they desire is preserved, this project can perhaps be tolerated. However, the ramifications of a high impact tourist amenities facility in such a sensitive and beautiful place seems questionable. I hope that some precedence is given to recreators who appreciate the more wild side of nature, and that the project is done respectfully. I only support things like these to bring in tourism money and to encourage people to take care of beautiful places. Spending time in nature can increase interest in stewardship. However, the monetization of a pristine location such as this inevitably makes me feel a little sad. Try not to pave paradise, please??? And make it a primary goal to communicate with all locals and first nations to preserve the area for its world class recreation/adventure sports. Maybe throw in a platform for kayak safety. Or a kayaking play feature perhaps. If you’re gonna profit off of what many of us enjoy for free, give back to the community to ensure pleasant interactions between long time users and hoardes of tourists.
Roger.C says
Stop this foolishness. This is a sensitive ecosystem with fish habitat, and will be destroyed by allowing such access ! I’m sure the tourists already have enough options in the sea to sky corridor. If people wish to see this beautiful landscape, they should not be allowed to take a bus to get there !!!!!