Squamish Search and Rescue (SSAR), in partnership with the District of Squamish, has announced the development of a new headquarters. Squamish Search and Rescue will relocate to the Squamish Municipal Airport – Don Patrick Field. In a press release, the District of Squamish said this is a beneficial step to enhance search and rescue response for Squamish and the surrounding region.
The SSAR headquarters will be operational by April 2026.
This new headquarters will improve response times and operational efficiency, provide critical, purpose-built operations and training space for SSAR volunteers, and strengthen collaboration with emergency service partners, notes the press release from the District of Squamish.
“We’re proud to support the development of a new SSAR headquarters and incredibly grateful for the commitment and expertise of SSAR’s volunteers who provide a vital service for both residents and visitors who explore our natural surroundings. We look forward to seeing this project come to life,” says District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford. “As Squamish continues to attract outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, this facility will help meet future demands.”
“We have been collaborating with the District of Squamish for several years to make this move to the Squamish airport a reality. This new location enables us to develop purpose-built facilities for our training and operations to serve the needs of our growing community,” said Cam Stuart, President of Squamish Search and Rescue.
The District of Squamish has contributed $2 million to support the new permanent location, with funding proposed from the Land Reserve rather than immediate long-term borrowing or taxation. District staff and SSAR continue to explore external funding opportunities for the project.
“We are incredibly grateful for the community businesses that have already stepped up to help with planning and construction of this first phase of our compound,” said Stuart.
Community engagement and construction milestones will be shared in the coming months.
