The District of Squamish is seeking public input on its plan to build 12 weather protected spaces across the community. The spaces will provide protection from sun, rain, and snow and serve as gathering spaces in neighbourhoods.
Construction is expected to start shortly after from July. The budget for this project is approximately $150,000 and includes all costs including the design and construction of all 12 structures and seating. District is inviting the community to provide feedback on parks where these structures should be places, where in the parks they should be places, what features, art, or colours would people like to see, and what would make the space appealing.
“We are looking for ideas from each neighbourhood to help make each space functional and welcoming for residents and users in the area,” says the District.
There is a lack of weather protected spaces for people to gather outdoors in Squamish. With recent extreme weather, and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing demand from the community for protected spaces to gather outdoors, District says. The locations are spread across Squamish to ensure they are accessible by a broad range of neighbourhoods and users, and efforts were made to choose parks where the community has already asked for sheltered spaces or seating upgrades.
Parks and locations were chosen to consider high visibility areas to discourage any unwanted activity, and spaces can be easily moved if any issues develop, District says. District is holding pop-up sessions in Squamish, where people can provide feedback to the District.
