The District of Squamish will be hiring a qualified professional through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to lead the development of a heritage strategy in the community.
The hired consultant will develop the strategy while working with the district and a heritage advisory group, which will include local representatives and advocates. The advisory group will provide input on heritage and allow existing heritage leaders to lend their expertise and bring a value-based approach to the project, according to a report that will be presented to council today.
On February 16, 2016, a delegation was made to council by the Squamish Heritage Coalition, an informal group of heritage-focused organizations, asking for a municipal heritage policy.
The delegation shared concerns about a lack of heritage recognition and expressed the urgent need for a Heritage Policy in the District. In 2019, the Squamish Heritage Coalition and organizations active in the Squamish heritage sector commissioned a report: “Squamish Heritage Report.”
The heritage strategy will aim to identify and define heritage values in the community, create a policy framework for protection, and apply legislated tools, such as creating a heritage register, heritage designated sites, heritage revitalization agreements, or a designated heritage conservation area in the Official Community Plan.
The Heritage Management Strategy will include a community-wide engagement plan, and anticipated to begin in Spring 2022 and be completed by Fall 2023.
