District of Squamish will spend $800,000 on replacing the Squamish Adventure Centre roof, which is near the end of its life, the district says. The roof replacement is part of the 2025-2029 Five-Year Financial Plan.
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More upgrades are planned for the adventure centre. The district plans to upgrade the HVAC system at Squamish Adventure Centre, which will cost $350,000. According to the financial plan, three gas-fired rooftop units feed the Adventure Centre, producing approximately 60 tones of GHG annually. “Replacement strategy is needed for end-of-life assets,” the plan notes.
The concrete floor also needs refinishing, which will cost $40,000. Also planned is a net new Building Automation System (BAS) system that aligns with District of Squamish existing systems. The budget includes controls required to efficiently monitor and control HVAC system. This would cost $350,000. The funding for all the upgrades comes from the reserves.
Calling the adventure centre a ‘money pit,’ resident Colin Burke questioned the district’s spending on various items in the financial plan. “I see listed a multitude of items that are wants, not needs, for this budget,” he said. “Victoria bike lane infrastructure, maintaining the money pit that is the Adventure Center, funding a ballooning exempt Staff roster, public art, speed limit reduction project, multiple economic development line items all could be easily deleted and save the taxpayers money,” he said.
In 2021, the District received $700,000 in provincial funding through the Tourism Dependent Communities Fund to revitalize the SAC. In 2023, a provincial $999,250 grant was given from the B.C. Destination Development Fund for the Squamish Adventure Centre (SAC) Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Story Experience Enhancement Project. The project aimed to engage visitors in cultural history and environment unique to the region while improving public awareness of the Indigenous traditions and experiences available throughout the Sea to Sky.
Pennie McNutt says
Why is so much money being spent on a building that is totally underused? It has never been a place for people to gather and enjoy activities in. Why has it never put in a real restaurant instead of a coffee shop? Why is there so much empty space? Why is the theatre not used? There was supposed to be a whole make-over a couple years ago and all they did was move the gift shop? The offices in the back are empty – could they not be used for something? It’s a beautiful building and should be used to its full potential. I do realize there are maintenance issues that need to be addressed but why is this huge amount of money not being used on the civic centre which desperately needs an upgrade and repairs?
These were my thoughts as I read this article. I would like to see the Adventure Centre become a place for people to gather and enjoy it, not just a bus stop and coffee shop with a gift store.
D M says
The roof replacement cost is way overpriced, it is truly astounding how greedy businesses are these days, oh yeah blame the tariffs for that quote.