Squamish Chief

Tourist tells of getting swept away in the Squamish River in 2020

SQ

TANTALUS VILLAGE HEADED TO PUBLIC HEARING

A 6-1 council vote sends the Tantalus Road project to hearing

ahughes@squamishchief.com

Adevelopment dubbed Tantalus Village passed second reading by council and will soon have a public hearing.

By a vote of 6-1 on March 19, a mixed-use development from Target Homes at 40480 Tantalus Rd. passed second reading, though several council members said they maintained some hesitation.

Coun. Lauren Greenlaw was the sole council member opposed. With the approval, the project will be scheduled for a public hearing on April 9, after which the council may debate the third and final reading.

“This project has evolved over time. I think it’s evolved in the right direction,” Mayor Armand Hurford said.

The project consists of three buildings, all six

WHAT’SHAPPENING IN RECREATION AND CULTURE

Planningyour summer job?

We areseeking enthusiastic,outdoorloving leaders with experiencein coaching,childcareoreducation. Multiple positionsavailable.

squamish.ca/careers fordetails

Keep on Spinning |19+

Up early foryour child’sclub practice? Join Cindy fora45-minutespin and getyour workout in whileyou wait! Registration required.

Thursdays,7:15- 8a.m.

TheDistrictisseeking feedback from residents of all ages,neighbourhoodsand transportation preferences to understand the areas of concern relatedtotraffic speeds.

Visit our online public engagementplatform until April 5 to sharelocations where speed is aconcernthrough an online mapping tool. letstalksquamish.ca

Easter Holiday

Activities

Good FridayPublic Skate

Friday, March29, 12 -3p.m.

Youth Pool Takeover

Saturday, March30, 6-8p.m

SensorySwim

Sunday, March31, 6-8p.m

BunnyPublic Skate Monday, April1,12-3p.m.

for detailsand registration visit: squamish.ca/rec

Thefirst phase of the Green and AccessibilityRetrofitProjectisset to begin on Monday, April1starting with upgrades to the icearena changerooms.The changerooms will be closed to the public from Apriluntil end of August and will requireice users to arrive at the centre pre-dressed beforeusingthe arena until end of May.

Upcoming impacts:

•Arena changerooms closed April1 through approximately mid-August

•Arena closed May31through approximately mid-August

•Arena washrooms will remainopen Minor parking impacts due to construction

•Minor tree removalnear pool lobby entrancestarting in March

•Sitepreparation and foundational work forstaff administration area expansion to begin in the summer

squamish.ca/futureBPRC

COUNCIL GRANTS THREE READINGS FOR SIX TOWNHOMES ON FOURTH AVE

No public hearing will be scheduled due to recent provincial rules

ANDREW HUGHES

ahughes@squamishchief.com

Council OK’d a small but dense new development in downtown Squamish that will go ahead without a public hearing because of a recent change in provincial rules.

In a 6-1 vote at the March 19 regular business meeting, Squamish council members approved three readings for a six-unit townhouse project at 37940 Fourth Ave.

Coun. Lauren Greenlaw was the only council member opposed.

Likely at the next regular business meeting, this development will be adopted.

The applicant, or proponent, for the project is listed as numbered company 1427417 BC LTD.

A land title search through the Land Title and Survey Authority of BC shows a local Squamish individual owns the property

The townhomes will have three storeys with two bedrooms and patio space. The six units are divided between two buildings, one fronting Fourth Avenue and the other located eastward.

“With the regulations coming in, this does feel like quite an aggressive move from the single-family [zoning] that’s there,” said Mayor Armand Hurford.

Yet, given the housing crisis and new provincial policies, he said, “This is not a far departure from the new baseline.”

“I think it’s entirely appropriate that the downtown runs slightly more dense than the minimum.”

The project will provide about $83,000 cash in lieu as a community amenity contribution and commit to a no-gas covenant. Other contributions include frontage improvements on Fourth Avenue, including a sidewalk and streetlight,

trees, and a swale.

“This development proposal, to me, is a consistent fit with the townhouse and newer housing developments that are in the adjacent area,” said Coun. John French. “It’s a creative strategy for getting six units into a relatively small property.”

Coun. Jenna Stoner thought the project was a good example of how housing may transition in the downtown core

“This starts to give us a little bit of insight of how that transition away from Third, into some of the more lower density components in the rest of downtown, will start to happen,” she said.

In his support, Coun. Chris Pettingill noted his appreciation for the stiff language about natural gas in the land development agreement which states “no natural gas connections will be provided.”

“That language, I think, is very clear,” he said,

adding it would be good language to use going forward.

Although Coun. Lauren Greenlaw voted against the three readings, she did not provide comments about why. Later in the meeting, while debating another housing development that was up for second reading, she said it was difficult to support more housing developments while the community was outgrowing its infrastructure.

PHOTO BY ANDREW HUGHES/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

In a 6-1 vote at the March 19 regular business meeting, Squamish council members approved three readings for a six-unit townhouse project at 37940 Fourth Ave

DEVELOPMENT: Continued from 1

storeys in height Previous reporting from The Squamish Chief noted the project aims for about 307 residential units across the buildings

A District staff report from Feb. 20 says about 77.5% of the project is residential, 20% is commercial, and 2.5% is commercial child care.

A few council members mentioned the amount and type of commercial space as an area that could be improved.

“Not securing the child care space for a non-profit operator means that we’re not necessarily guaranteed that we’re going to have accessible child care spaces for anybody,” said Coun. Jenna Stoner. “I think that there’s still concerns around the employment space and the viability of it and if it’s actually delivering the type of employment space that we need.”

Hurford said ensuring appropriate employment space should be top of mind of council for all projects, so residents can find work that enables them to afford housing in Squamish.

Overall, the project met the current community amenity contribution policy with about $1 million cash in lieu plus donating 6% of the floor area to the Squamish Community Housing Society. Additional contributions include land for a park and corridor trail connection on the west side, money for public art, a no-gas covenant, 20% of units being three bedrooms, and 58% of units being market rental.

Adding a traffic signal to the Garibaldi Way and Tantalus Road intersection before occupancy has also been agreed upon by Target Homes. Coun. Andrew Hamilton noted he was in favour of projects being held “directly accountable” to traffic or development impacts.

In her opposition, Coun Lauren Greenlaw said it is difficult to support more housing developments while the community outgrows

Not securing the child care space for a nonprofit operator means that we’re not necessarily guaranteed that we’re going to have accessible child care spaces for anybody.

COUN. JENNA STONER

its infrastructure, including the number of doctors and child care teachers She made a plea to the province to provide financial support to help the growing community.

“As the province strongly encourages densification and population growth, our community needs the province to provide us with more financial support for the cost of the fall under provincial jurisdiction, such as retaining educators and doctors, affordable housing, day care, and health care. A community needs more than just roofs over their heads to be livable,” she said.

“Particularly pertinent to the projects that we have discussed tonight is the absence of regional transit that we have been requesting from the province for at least 10 years now. … So this is me explicitly asking the province for the regional transit that is in our community members and the environment’s best interests and as yet, for seemingly no good reason, still noticeably absent.”

PHOTO BY AAFREEN ARORA

UNIQUE VIEW: Photographer Aafreen Arora was experimenting with taking photos through her binoculars

1bed, 1bath condoatTheSpectacle in the Garibaldi Estates. North-facing with views of Diamond Head

TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR WOMAN WHO

DIED

ON BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN

Danielle Salvatore, 32, remembered as ‘extremely intelligent’

BRADEN DUPUIS Pique Newsmagazine

Asnowboarder who died in a tree-well incident at Whistler Blackcomb this month is being remembered as an “extremely intelligent” engineer regarded for her pioneering research on CO2 conversion.

Danielle Salvatore, 32, was snowboarding with her partner on March 9 when they became separated, after which her partner contacted Whistler Blackcomb Ski Patrol, according to a Whistler Blackcomb spokesperson.

Patrol found Salvatore unresponsive on Renegade—an advanced gladed trail near Catskinner Express Chairlift.

“On behalf of Whistler Blackcomb, our Ski Patrol and the entire Vail Resorts family, I would like to offer my deepest condolences,” said Belinda Trembath, Whistler Blackcomb COO, in a release.

“Tragedies like this weigh heavily on all of us, and our hearts go out to the guest’s family and friends We are here to support during this extremely difficult time.”

Now, tributes are pouring in and fundraisers are racking up the donations in Salvatore’s memory.

Salvatore, a resident of Garibaldi Highlands in Squamish, excelled at every level of her studies, according to an obituary

She became internationally known as a graduate student for her pioneering work in CO2

conversion, designing and building the world’s first membrane reactor for converting waste CO2 into fuels

“While there are now thousands of researchers around the world working on her technology, this was not even her greatest achievement. She later invented a reactor capable of coupling the two distinct steps of CO2 capture and CO2 conversion,” the obit read

“Danielle’s discovery, which was featured in the Globe and Mail, launched an entirely new field now known as ‘reactive carbon capture.’” Her work landed her an invite to move to the US National Renewable Energy Lab to lead a program on CO2 reactors as an NSF Presidential Fellow—but when she was unable to cross the border due to COVID, she instead joined the founding team of Miru Smart Technologies

Corp., an energy-efficient window company in Vancouver.

In September 2023, she was named one of Canada’s Clean50 emerging leaders for 2024

“Her innovative work in decarbonizing the built environment is widely recognized,” the obit read “Danielle’s impact on future society will be felt for generations.”

Her impact on the present is notable, too. A pair of GoFundMes in her name had amassed thousands of dollars as of press time

“In celebration and memory of Danielle Salvatore” is organizing a group donation in Salvatore’s name to Protect Our Winters Canada, and has already raised $4,300 of a $2,000 goal.

A second fundraiser, for a “Danielle Salvatore Memorial Soccer Tournament,” had raised $2,435 of a $4,000 goal as of press time.

The University of British Columbia has also created a scholarship in her memory—the Danielle Salvatore Memorial Scholarship, which will “recognize future bright minds in perpetuity.”

“Inside and out, our beautiful, brilliant Danielle was captivating and fun-loving Her expressions drew a crowd wherever she was and enchanted the hearts of too many to mention,” the obit read

“She will be incredibly and passionately missed Her legacy of her unwavering commitment to Family, Friends, and her Community will be treasured forever. The world is a better place because our Dani was in it.”

PHOTO VIA GOFUNDME

Danielle Salvatore is being remembered as an “extremely intelligent” engineer regarded for her pioneering research on CO2 conversion

PHOTO BY CLIFF JENNINGS

SIGNS OF SPRING: There’s still a dusting of snow in the alpine, but with sunshine ahead this weekend, it may not be visible for very long

SCAPEGOATING THE CARBON TAX A DISTRACTION: MP

Carbon tax set to increase on April 1

SCOTT TIBBALLS stibballs@piquenewsmagazine.com

Like his Liberal colleagues, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Patrick Weiler has dismissed the letter sent to Liberal and NDP MPs by Pierre Poilievre encouraging them to vote against the April 1 carbon pricing increase

“It’s not altogether surprising,” said Weiler in an interview.

“It does bring me back to December, when [Pierre] Poilievre and the Conservatives were having a bit of a temper tantrum that they were going to keep all MPs through the holiday season to axe the tax and sure enough, after a few hours that was over and we voted on what we needed to vote on, and then people went home for the holidays.

“This letter is right in the same vein.”

Weiler said there are multiple votes coming up to do with the end of the financial year.

“They’re all confidence votes—this isn’t about the carbon tax, but that’s what he wants to make it about and that’s how he wants to talk about it Fine.”

In the letter, sent March 14 to Liberal and NDP MPs, Poilievre asked they join the Conservatives in voting against the scheduled federal carbon tax increase, set to kick in

April 1.

It’s an annual increase that will continue through to 2030, though B.C. has its own carbon tax that negates the federal tax.

But that didn’t stop Poilievre from getting into it with B.C. Premier David Eby about British Columbia’s own carbon tax.

“It’s really what the premier [David Eby] termed very appropriately as ‘the baloney factory,’” said Weiler

“It’s trying to frame the price on pollution as if it’s responsible for the cost-of-living challenges that we have in Canada right now, but really it’s just a scapegoat that [Poilievre is] using to undermine climate action.”

Weiler argued most Canadians end up better off under the federal carbon pricing scheme due to rebates.

“When you look at how that works, it’s only people that are, on average, making more than $250,000 that end up paying more.”

The government offers carbon rebates to Canadians based on their income.

As a key part of the Liberal government’s climate plan, Weiler said he would of course be voting against any efforts by the Conservatives to stop the carbon pricing scheme’s scheduled increase

“It’s going to be responsible for 30% of the emissions reductions we have planned to make between now and 2030,” he said

“And it’s not just about affordability—we’re seeing the impact of climate change right now, especially in B.C. It was 20 C over the weekend in West Vancouver, and that’s breaking records for this time of the year

“It really underscores the necessity for us to do what we can to fight against climate change, because the alternative is much much costlier and it’s going to leave a country and a world that is much less livable for our generation and for future generations too.”

Conservative candidate for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, Keith Roy, said in an email that continued increases in the carbon pricing scheme are irresponsible considering cost-of-living pressures on Canadians.

“After eight years of this Liberal-NDP government, life in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country has never been more expensive, yet Justin Trudeau and the NDP have decided to hike the carbon tax again on April 1 by 23%,” he said.

“I was talking with a farmer in Pemberton on Monday who explained that almost every piece of machinery on his farm runs on diesel fuel and there are no reasonable alternatives The increased fuel cost for farmers has a direct impact on the high price of food.”

Roy said Weiler “should have listened to his constituents” and voted to stop the increase

“Instead, Mr. Weiler voted to make the hardworking people of West VancouverSunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country pay even more for gas, food and heating.”

Roy said he supports efforts by Conservatives in Parliament to call a vote of no confidence in Justin Trudeau in order to force “a carbon tax election,” and “turn the hurt Trudeau caused into the hope that Canadians need.”

For his part, Weiler described the Conservative campaigning on the issue as dishonest, and a distraction from efforts to fight climate change

“It would be one thing if the Conservatives were proposing a different plan of their own, but the fact of the matter is they reject any action on climate change … the only thing they’ve proposed is extracting more fossil fuels in Canada as their plan to fight climate change—it’s really not serious, and by trying to scapegoat the price on pollution it is really dishonest and it mischaracterizes what it does at the same time.”

The federal carbon pricing scheme will increase on April 1, with the price on carbon to go from $65 a tonne to $80, and will continue to go up annually until it reaches $170 a tonne by 2030

BC.’s own carbon tax currently sits at $65 a tonne, and will also increase on April 1.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Tuesday,April 9at6p.m.

WHAT’SPROPOSED:

PROPOSED BYLAW: DistrictofSquamish Zoning BylawNo. 2200, 2011 AmendmentBylaw(40480 Tantalus Road) No.2660,2019 Rezoning to facilitate the construction of three six-storey mixed-use buildings,a park and ecological reserve.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS: To rezone the property highlightedonthe Location MapfromRural Residential2Zone (RL-2) as follows:

• Aportion of the property will be rezoned to a new “Comprehensive Development98” zone (CD-98), to allowthe construction ofthree six-storey mixed-use buildings and accessory parkingareas

• Aportion of the property will be rezoned to “InstitutionalUse”(P-3) to permit a new parkadjacenttoHighway99.

• Aportion of the property will be rezoned to “Ecological Reserve”(P-4) to secure an area of environmental protection at the east of the site.

LOCATION MAP:

99

40480 40480

In Writing

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE INAPUBLIC HEARING

Persons who believe thattheir interest in property is affected by the proposed Zoning Amendmentswill have an opportunity to be heardand to present written submissions forthe Public Hearing.

Deliver awritten submission to hearing@squamish.ca, or drop off to the CorporateOfficer at Municipal Hall before4:30 p.m. on the date of the Public Hearing

Written submissionsmay also be made during the Hearing by emailing hearing@squamish.ca.Council will not consider submissions received afterthe close of the Public Hearing

If technical issues occurfor aperson during the Hearing,submissions maybemade by emailing hearing@squamish.ca and staffwill distribute to Council and make available on the website. Forthose participating via telephone or electronically,the Districtisencouraging written submissionstobemade as well

Electronic Participation

Participate electronically through the use of the WebEx platformby visiting squamish.ca/public-hearings-and-meetings.Instruction for participation in the WebEx virtual Public Hearing can be found at thatsite. Visit squamish.ca/public-hearings-and-meetings in advanceofthe scheduled Public Hearing time for:

•Instructions on howtoset up WebEx and howtolog in;

•How to get on the speakers’list;

•Anopportunitytotest your computer’s connection to the WebEx platform.

HOWTOVIEWTHE PROPOSED REZONING

Acopyofthe proposed Bylawand relatedinformation thathas been or maybe considered by Council maybeinspectedonline oratMunicipal Hall.

• squamish.ca/public-hearings-and-meetings

•37955 Second Avenue,Squamish, British Columbia, from March29toApril 9, 2024 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30p.m., Mondaythrough Friday, excludingstatutoryholidays

Questions? Contactthe Planning Department: 604.815.5002

Allsubmissions will form partofthe public record.

Please notethatCouncil maynot receivefurther submissions received from the public or interested parties concerning the Bylawdescribedabove afterthe conclusion of thePublic Hearing

This is the first of twonotices of Public Hearing.

Datedthis 28th dayofMarch, 2024 atSquamish, British Columbia.

AFFECTED PORTION OF LANDS: 40480 Tantalus Road,SquamishBC squamish.ca/public-hearings-and-meetings

By Telephone

Participate by telephone during the Public Hearing by calling 1.604.449.3026 and entering the Access Code 2773 519 7595.

Dial *3 to‘raise your hand’indicating thatyou’d liketospeak. Youwill be placed on aspeakers’list and alertedwhen it is your turntospeak.You will hear amessage that“your line has been unmuted”when it is your turntospeak

Prior to the meeting, please visit squamish.ca/public-hearings-and-meetings fordetailed instructions.

In Person

Youmay participate in person during the Hearing in Council Chambers at Municipal Hall,37955 Second Avenue,Squamish, British Columbia.

If youdonot wish to

andhear the submissions,you can do so by

squamish.ca/live-meetings.

the

SEVERAL CONDITIONS STILL IN WORKS FOR CHEEKYE FAN DEBRIS BARRIER

Council is told securing final permits, land tenure and financial modelling are still needed before next steps of the 200-metre-long barrier

CEMETERYMAINTENANCE

ORNAMENTREMOVAL REQUIRED BY MARCH 31.

To allowfor annual groundsmaintenance at MountGaribaldi Cemetery,please remove artificial plants andflowersand anyornamentation (suchasstatues or angels andloose objects such as rocks,glass or metalitems)fromthe grave marker by March31, 2024 as per ScheduleD of theMount Garibaldi Cemetery Ornamentationand PlantingPolicy.

Itemsnot removedbefore March31, 2022 will be movedbystaffand placed at themaingates fortwo weeks.

We appreciate your understandingand co-operation.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

•WastewaterTreatmentPlantElectrical ServiceKiosk Supply and DeliverRequest forQuotations

•RecruitmentServices -Request forSupplier Qualifications

•2024 Powerhouse Springs Well Rehabilitation Program -Request for Quotations

ANDREW HUGHES ahughes@squamishchief.com

Several rezoning conditions are still in the works for the Cheekye Fan debris barrier, but no set date has been given for when they may be met.

At a March 19 committee of the whole meeting, Squamish council received an update from staff about the Cheekye Fan barrier and neighbourhood development from proponent Sqomish Sea to Sky Developments, a partnership between Matthews West and the Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).

Council was informed that several rezoning conditions were still in the works, including securing all permits and land tenure plus financial modelling for operations and maintenance of the barrier.

Chief Administrative Officer Linda Glenday said once those conditions are met, rezoning bylaws would come forward to council though she did not provide a timeline

“It’s a little bit like a marathon, the last mile can be the hardest sometimes,” she said “So, we’ll keep council and the community updated on timing as soon as we have a better idea of what that looks like.”

The Cheekye Fan debris barrier was a condition imposed by council in 2018 on an enormous mixed-use project located around Ross Road and near Don Ross Middle School The 200-metre-long barrier will straddle the Cheekye River, just south of Cat Lake, allowing the water to flow through a six-metre slot. About 11 months ago, council was told that an independent panel of experts had OK’d the design.

Ultimately, the barrier is meant to protect the

new neighbourhood and existing development from natural debris flow hazards.

The capital cost of the barrier is estimated to be over $100 million. The District report notes that construction will take two to three years and there will be a two-year maintenance period before operations would be handed over to the District

The director of financial operations, Reann Sousa, estimated the annual cost of operations and maintenance to be between $446,000 to $637,000. Capital repairs and replacements were estimated at $21.7 million over 100 years, or $217,000 per year. (Sousa said these estimations were all in 2022 dollars.)

Sousa said the council of the day in 2018 supported covering costs through local area taxation, which is an extra tax placed on the homes in the new neighbourhood, and general taxation. Sousa also told council that insurance to manage hazard restoration after a big event is no longer seen as a viable option and they are considering new funding mechanisms

Jonas Velaniskis, the senior director of community development, shared some details from a draft of the land development agreement for the neighbourhood

Overall, the neighbourhood would be capped at 1,215 total residential units, with certain affordable and market rental units needing to be hit at various unit marks. Other stipulations in the works included child care, a no-gas covenant for residential, a commitment to transfer of ownership of Brackendale Farmers Institute Park to the District, a $1.5 million cash contribution, Ray Peters Trail dedication and upgrades, and other items.

In the end, council unanimously moved receipt of the report.

•MamquamBridge Deck Resurfacing and ActiveTransportation AnalysisRequest forProposals squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district

DEVELOPMENTREVIEW

•1001 Finch Drive-Building 2 -Zoning Amendment

•2190 Skyline Drive -DevelopmentVariancePermit squamish.ca/review

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTPROJECTS

•UniversityReservoirs2and 3- Constructionoftwo glass-fused steel reservoirtanks is 90%complete. Each of thesetanks measure approximately17metres in diametre and 10 metres high,and will help to improve waterstoragecapacityand deliveryfor Squamish.

•Wastewater TreatmentPlanExpansion and Improvements – Construction is underwaythrough summer2025ona new secondaryclarifier and concentric bioreactor. Learnmore: squamish.ca/wwtp-expansion

•QueensWay Lift StationMaintenance Hole –Constructioncontinues to replacethe inletmaintenance hole andrelinethe wet-well.Pleasefollow trafficcontrol measures.

RENDERING BY BGC ENGINEERING VIA DOS REPORT

Council was informed that several rezoning conditions were still in the works, including securing all permits and land tenure plus financial modelling for operations and maintenance of the barrier.

CAPU HOLDS AN OPEN HOUSE

DARTS

DAFFODILS TO Western Technical Systems for their professional and timely installation of our heat pump (even though we aren’t 40-year customers) and darts to the other businesses lacking the courtesy to reply to inquiries.

Got something nice to say or some constructive criticism? Send your Darts & Daffodils:

Email: news@squamishchief.com or drop off at The Chief office (38117 Second Ave.) during business hours. Deadline for submissions is Monday at 4 p.m. for Thursday’s paper. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number for verification. Maximum length is 75 words. Darts are intended to be an anonymous critique between private parties. Darts must not directly or indirectly identify an individual or business.

About 100 people attended an open house at the Squamish Adventure Centre to learn about upcoming educational programs at the Squamish campus

ANDREW HUGHES ahughes@squamishchief.com

Capilano University held an open house on March 14 in preparation for the opening of its Squamish campus in the fall

At least 100 people attended the event at the

Squamish Adventure Centre. They were welcomed by a short history lesson and song from Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) member Tsawaysia Spukwus (Alice Guss).

From there, tables were set up where prospective students and community members could learn more about the programming from CapU Additionally, presentations about some of

the available degrees and diplomas were trickled in throughout the evening. In recent months CapU announced the school will offer numerous programs:

• Adult Basic Education

• Early Childhood Care and Education diploma

• Bachelor of Early Childhood Care and Education degree

• Tourism Management Co-op Education

diploma

• Associate of Arts degree

• Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree

The Squamish campus aims to have 120 students when it kicks off in September. It was announced in August 2023 that CapU purchased the location with the help of the provincial government after Quest University closed due to financial trouble.

PHOTO BY ANDREW HUGHES/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF CapU’s Cheryl-Ann Henning addresses the attendees at the open house held at the Squamish Adventure Centre on March 14.

SQUAMISH SENIOR LIVING SOCIETY REQUESTS MORE ACTION FROM DISTRICT ON NOISY HVAC

The society requests DOS help in resolving noisy HVAC from neighbouring Shannon Falls Residence that has been bothering Westwinds residents

ANDREW HUGHES ahughes@squamishchief.com

The Squamish Senior Living Society has raised concerns to the District of Squamish about the noisy HVAC at the neighbouring Shannon Falls Residence, yet the District says the property owners need to find a resolution

As previously reported in December by The Squamish Chief, several residents at the Westwinds say a noisy HVAC unit at Shannon Falls has been causing them distress Now, the board of directors for the Squamish Senior Living Society, which operates Westwinds, is calling for more help from the District to help find a solution

“Regrettably, we are disheartened by the responses and handling of this issue to date,” reads the letter, which was forwarded to The Squamish Chief on Feb. 28.

“Our primary concern is the impact this noise is having on the health, well-being, and quiet enjoyment of life of our senior residents. … To the District of Squamish, we respectfully request the re-opening of the file on complaints from our residents.”

Ashley Hallinan, the board chair of the society, signs the letter. The letter also asks the District to review the current noise bylaw and to align it with “contemporary standards.”

A spokesperson for the District said their hands are tied, and provided similar reasoning

when asked about the issue in December 2023

“It is always in our best interest to work with all parties to resolve Bylaw-related issues wherever possible,” wrote Rachel Boguski in an email to The Squamish Chief. “However, at the time of installation, the equipment in question met all Building Bylaw requirements, and therefore the

matter remains in the hands of the property owners.”

“We empathize with everyone involved, and we sincerely hope that both parties can work together on a mutually acceptable solution to alleviate the concerns of the Westwinds community.”

Spokesperson Lina Saba for Park Place Seniors Living, which operates Shannon Falls, previously told The Squamish Chief that the company reduced the noise by installing a fence with slats. However, Saba said further noise muffling would impact air circulation for its residents.

Saba said having Westwinds taller in height and close in proximity to Shannon Falls, plus some units having no air conditioning were contributing factors to increased noise

While the letter from Squamish Senior Living Society acknowledged its appreciation for some of the mitigations already done by Park Place, the group is not aware of “any building standard mandating AC as a solution to mitigating excessive noise from a neighbouring property.”

The letter requests “a more substantial effort” to resolve the noise, and says they have enlisted environmental consultants to prepare a report which they will share when completed.

FILE PHOTO ANDREW HUGHES/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

The HVAC on the roof of Shannon Falls has been an ongoing concern for some Westwinds residents.

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EDITORIAL

KNOWTHERISK

Visit Whistler Health Care Centre on a Saturdayduringspringbreak,and thefact that skiingisn’t azero-risk endeavouris obvious as parents, kids,and banged-upadultswait their turn to seethe busy doctorsmovefrombroken armto legtoheadinjury.

Thisisobviously notthe imageofWhistler Blackcombmarketedtothe world.

Most locals in Squamish understand theriskof local recreation well

In fact,ifastudy were done,itislikelythatmany who live here areinherentrisk-takers

REPORTER ANDREW HUGHES ahughes@ squamishchief.com

EDITOR JENNIFERTHUNCHER jthuncher@ squamishchief.com follow @thuncher SALESMANAGER CATHIE GREENLEES cgreenlees@ squamishchief.com

MULTI- MEDIASALES REPRESENTATIVE KIMBOATMAN kboatman@ squamishchief.com

CIRCULATION MANAGER DENISE CONWAY dconway@ squamishchief.com

PUBLISHER SARAHSTROTHER sstrother@wplpmedia.com

The Squamish Chiefisa member of theNationalNewsmedia Council, whichisanindependentorganization establishedtodealwithacceptable journalistic practicesand ethica behaviour. If youhaveconcerns abouteditorial content, please contactEditorJenniferThuncherat jthuncher@squamishchief.com. If you arenot satisfiedwiththe response andwishtofilea formal complaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free1-844-877-1163for additional information

Reproduction of anymaterial containedinthispublicationis expresslyforbiddenwithoutthe prior writtenconsent of thepublisher.

Somelate1990s research says that “a particular DNA sequenceisapredictor of ‘novelty-seeking’ personalities andthatthisbehaviour is affected by the waythe braincells process. [dopamine].“

Anymountainbiker worthher salt hasastory or two aboutaspill,break,ornearmiss, afterall.And it isknown andacceptedthatthe mountainsgive— and they take.

This is consistent with otherresearchbyUniversity ofChicago psychologistMihalyCsikszentmihalyi, whichsayspeoplehavethe best time in an adventurous activity when theirskill matchesthe levelof challenge.Inother words, many here like thethrill ofrisky activities,understandthe risksand also have the skilltoget maximumenjoyment from them.

Severallocal adventurersweinterview forstories havesaidsomeversion of “IfI diedoing this activity, Idieddoing what Ilove.”

This is oftenrepeatedby bereaved families,too,as we have seen,and hopefully, brings them some level of comfort.

Butthose whocomehere, perhapsdrawn by social media images,may notunderstandthe risks.

This week,ayoung mantoldusofhow he was swept away in theSquamishRiver in 2020 and survivedbut wasshocked to find himselfindanger during aday at thebeach.

Whilesomereaders mayfeelsuperiorin comparison with hislackofsituational awareness, his rare,vulnerablecandour is likely an insightinto a more common scenario than locals wouldguess

He notedthere were no signswarning of a fast-movingcurrent;hehad paid to getintoa campsite,soheassumed he wastotally safe.These thoughts underscore that thosewho arenot familiar withthisregion’shazards need to be educated

Justas many of us corridor nature lovers would likelyneed to be schooled on thedangers foundin someofthe biggestcitiesofthe world.

AsAdventureSmartstresses,there’s personal responsibility involved,but it should also be more of a societal responsibility to sharethe knownrisks, especiallygiven that corridor economiesare benefiting from theirvisits.

Unfortunately, as this summer playsout,and SAR calls increase,wewillbeabletogauge thegap betweensomevisitors’ perceivedlevel of risk and real risk levels in theSeatoSky.

B.C. GOVSHORT-TERMRENTALRULES ONLY PUTMORERENTERS INTO BADSITUATIONS

MOUNTAIN VIEWS ANDREW HUGHES

Among asea of provincial housingchanges come stricter yetmessy rulesonshort-term vacation rentals

Though thegoalofthe legislationistoget more homes on therentalmarket, trying to make people be landlords, when they don’t actually want to be landlords, only puts more rentersintobad situations

Coming into effect on May1,the B.C. provincial governmentislimitingshort-term rentals to primaryresidences, plus onesecondary suiteor coachhome.

Squamish’s short-term rentalrules aremore limiting,onlyallowingshort-termrentals to occur in primary residences unless they haveone of the30 temporaryuse permitsavailable forresidents to use on secondarysuitesorcoach houses.

Theprovincialgovernmentsaysthereare over 16,000 homes that areusedfor themajorityofthe year as ashort-term rental.The rulesaremeant to encouragepropertyownerstorenttheir homes long term,ratherthanasshort-term vacation rentals.

But,who’s to sayownerswillevenput thehouse on therentalmarket?

Instead, they mayjustgobblethe yearly property taxand usethe homefor personal use.

That leaves Squamishrenters no furtherahead

So whilethislegislation is meanttoimprove the rental market—its shortsightedness mayend up barely making adentinaproblem that theprovince letgetout of controlinthe firstplace

In thesimplestterms,there aretwo ways to get someonetodosomething: incentives and punishments.

With this legislation, theprovinceiseffectively attempting to punish people in hopesthattheywill become landlords.

In my eyes,ownersare unlikely to make such an adjustment.Eveniftheydid,I wouldn’t want to rent from someonewho maybefeeling forced to rent out ahome. It doesn’tsound like agood waytokickoff a relationship,doesit?

Instead, theprovinceshouldfocus on incentives to list homesonthe long-termrentalmarket. Better yet, offerbetterincentivesfor thegeneral population to stay renterswhile B.C. attempts to play catch-up in itshousing stockinother ways.

What’s stopping theprovincefromempowering rentersand giving them aleg-upinstead?

Everyone wantssafety,long-term security,and affordabilitywhenitcomes to having aroofover theirhead.

Equallyimportant,noone wantstoenter into a lousyrelationshipsimplybecause they were told they hadto.

Ha7lh skwálwen cht kwis emút cht iy sts’its’áp’ cht iy kw’shétsut cht na7tkwa temíxw tl’a Skwxwú7mesh

Úxwumixw

(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)

SPACE, THE FINAL FRONTIER

GUEST COLUMN MELODY WALES

Astronomy professor Lori Prause describes Squamish as a picture postcard

However, it wasn’t just the mountains and trails that attracted Prause, who has a bachelor of science degree from Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration and a master’s degree from Swinburne University of Science and Technology.

While on sabbatical from her teaching post at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, A.Z., she said she has a mission to present the miracle of the skies wherever she goes.

“When I learn something, I like to share it,” she said.

Prause discovered astronomy later in life.

“After having six children, I knew I needed something to sharpen my brain,” she said.

After attending a talk on astronomy, she came home bubbling with excitement and

the desire to reach for the stars.

At her recent presentation at the Squamish Library, Prause traced the history of the telescope from the 1608 patent by Netherland eyeglass maker Hans Lippershey, to Galileo Galilei—who improved the design and sketched the stars—to Johannes Kepler, who replaced the concave lens to a convex one to create a higher level of magnification. She traced it further through history from Isaac Newton, who proposed the use of reflecting mirrors, to the Hubble Space Telescope launch in 1990, which sent captivating images of Earth’s constellations, and finally to the present James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) that is using hexagonal mirrors and infrared light to capture awesome images of outer space.

A short video was shown of how the JWST was miraculously unfurled in outer space from its folded origami-like form into the observatory and universal telescope it is today.

The JWST is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) infrared flagship observatory, an international collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

Presently, due to its 300 clear nights per

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CAPU LOOKS FORWARD TO SERVING

Response to the Letter to the editor from Anthony Bianco, March 21, 2024:

Letter: Ensuring Squamish’s prosperity Investing in early childhood education.

Iwant to thank Mr Bianco for submitting his timely and forwardthinking letter to the editor on the importance of early learning for Squamish As he points out, research clearly shows that high quality education for our youngest citizens has critical long-term social and economic benefits Providing meaningful opportunities for young children to learn and thrive is good for everyone.

At Capilano University, we are committed to providing the highest quality education for educators who

LETTERS POLICY

The

work with young children Our degree and diploma programs in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) are recognized as leaders because they provoke deep engagement with critical issues in the field and equip students to become advocates and leaders themselves Both programs will be offered at our Squamish campus in September 2024 In addition, planning is underway to build a new childcare centre on campus that will serve as a lab school for students to work with faculty mentors and qualified educators to apply what they learn in the classroom. We are committed to excellence in early childhood education because children and families deserve it and forwardthinking communities demand it. As a regional post-secondary institution,

year, a mega-sized, multi-mirrored telescope is being built in Chile.

Amongst the stars in the Squamish night skies this month, Prause pointed out that Jupiter and its four moons are visible, as well as Saturn’s rings and the Andromeda nebula

Participants at her recent talk were also given the telescopic thrill of gazing at a luminous Squamish moon

These are exciting times in astronomy. We have just entered the spring equinox, which brings balance between night and sunnier days

And, on April 8, the Earth will experience a celestial celebration as the moon slowly passes between the Earth and the sun in a solar eclipse, momentarily plunging earthen skies from shadowy darkness to brilliant light.

Titled “Looking for Life in the Universe,” Prause’s next series of talks to be held at Brennan Park Recreation Centre on Fridays from April 5 to May 3, 2024, will surely expand your universe. (It’s free, but attendants should register online through squamish.ca/rec.)

So, is there life on other planets?

“With 300 billion and counting galaxies in the universe, I think that’s a definite possibility,” Prause said.

JOIN US ONLINE

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you support the new provincial rules around short term rentals?

Have your say at squamishchief.com

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

Do you like the (first) name you were given at birth?

YES 57% NOT REALLY, BUT WOULDN’T CHANGE IT 15% NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT. 12%

MOST READ STORY

Squamish’s 37-acre Klahanie property up for sale

Capilano University is focused on serving the education and training needs of the Sea to Sky Corridor. More broadly, our social purpose is to help build strong and sustainable communities in the region In the Faculty of Education, Health, and Human Development, we offer a range of programs and courses aligned with this purpose, including options for healthcare professionals, educational specialists, adult upgrading, and literacy and English-language learners These programs and courses provide exceptional learning experiences to students They also serve a wider social function by helping people find meaningful employment, reducing social and

LETTERS: Continued on 14

TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK

This week, reporter Andrew Hughes took in the Sea to Sky Model Train and Hobby Show at the Railway Museum of British Columbia Find this and lots of other videos on TikTok @squamishchief

LETTERS: Continuedfrom13

economic disparities, promotinginclusion, andcontributingtooverall health andwell being.

Accessible,high-qualityearly childhood educationisessential forevery community, but especially forrapidly changing and growingcommunities like Squamish.Weare excitedtodeliver ourearly learning programs in thecommunity andlookforward to servinglocal needsinother ways as our programofferings expand

Brad Martin

Dean,faculty of Education, Health, andHuman Development

Capilano University

PARADISE TRAILS

Iread your article“Paradise Trails submits developmentpermitapplication to District of Squamish.”

andIamgobsmackedasto whythis beautifulwell-supportedproject is taking so longtoget approval to breakgroundfromthe District of Squamish

Readingthrough thedeveloper’s websiteIam struck by howmuchthe community would gain. Thedevelopershavepromisedbridge upgrades, public trails andevenamuchneeded fire hall with truckand equipment. We allknowthathousing of allkinds is much needed in thedistrict, anddevelopments

such as this that enhancefamilylivingand bringeconomicdevelopment to the communityare welcomed by growing families.DistrictofSquamish, let’sget on with it!

HeatherBould

Squamish

FLOATELIS‘COMMUNITY DRIVEN SOLUTION’

I’m writingtoset therecordstraight followingvideo comments made by a memberofDistrictofSquamish councilthat circulated recently on social media. These comments falselyclaimed that Woodfibre LNG hadnot adequately dealtwithhousing, andthatconstructionworkers were taking up housing in thecommunity.These statements areuntrueand seem purposelymisleading. In 2019,WoodfibreLNG initiatedextensive communityconsultationsonhow best to housethe hundreds of workersthatwillbe involved in theconstructionphase of the project, whilealsoavoidingimpacts on rental housing, traffic, pressuresoncommunity services andpotential riskstowomen andgirls in thecommunity.After engagement with the District of Squamish Counciland Squamish Nation,and thousandsofcommentsfrom membersofthe public,the companymadethe decision to useafloatel,or afloatingluxury accommodationonthe water, whichwillbe moored at theproject site sevenkilometres

outsideSquamish.

WoodfibreLNG heardthe concerns of the communityand Squamish Nation and invested $100 milliontoprocure andrefit the floatelindirectresponse–providing a communitydrivensolutionthatwould mitigate thepotential impactsofalarge construction workforceonrentalhousing in Squamish.The companyhas been equally responsive to othercommunity concerns, includingthrough ourMarch 2023 announcement of ournet zero roadmapfor thefacility andthe introduction of extensivegendersafety programmingthatfully adopts theindustry-facing recommendationsofthe Murdered andMissing Indigenous Womenand Girls Inquiry.

We arealsopleased to have aconstruction phasecapacityfunding in placewiththe District,providing $1.3 millionannuallyto supportDistrictstaff costsrelated to project permitting, oversightand communications andtoensurethatthe WoodfibreLNG project does notimpactthe provisionofDistrict services forother residents or businesses. Thefloatel hasbeenapprovedbyProvincial, Squamish Nation andFederal regulators,and in 2023 WoodfibreLNG’s Environmental AssessmentCertificate wasamended to require that thenon-local construction phase workforceare housed on thevesselonceitisin place. Theconverted cruise ship will provide safe andcomfortable living accommodations

for650 workers, andanyonenot hiredlocally from Squamish or theSea to Skyareawillhave no access to thecommunity during theirshift rotations. Thesearrangementsare supported by acoalition of hereditary chiefs,and by the membersofWoodfibre LNG’sGenderSafety Advisory Committee

District Councilapprovalofatemporary use permit forthe floatelisthe last step in the regulatory process. We look forwardtothe District processing this approval quickly, puttingtheir votesbehindthe community-driven solution to ensuring that the WoodfibreLNG projectdoesnot impact rental housinginSquamish.

Majorprojectscan bringmajor benefits,such as thecompany’s recent contribution of $900,000 to complete theSquamishHospital Foundation’s fundraisingfor aCTScanner. With effectiveand committedwork, major projects do notneedtohavemajor impacts. WoodfibreLNG hasdoneagreat deal of work to respondtoand clarifyDistrictquestions aboutthe floateland we welcomeany further discussion regardingthe TemporaryUse Permit that ensuresthissolutionisinplace in atimelymanner.

This community-driven solution underlines thevalue of atruepartnership anddemonstrateshow majorprojectswithmajor benefits don’t need to have majorimpacts

ChristineKennedy, President,Woodfibre LNG

LOCAL SINGER-SONGWRITER ALEX BADGER RELEASES ‘GUM’

New single and video about the struggles of wanting what you shouldn’t

JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

As she releases a new single, Gum, Squamish singer-songwriter Alex Badger is all in on her music career

Badger, who previously released her debut solo single, Follow, said that, like most artists, she has felt a push-pull between the financial need to support herself and her passion for music.

She said that over the last year, she has pushed through the phase of wondering whether she should keep going or do something else

“Music is what I want to do, and there’s no looking back So, I’ll do whatever it takes to fund it If that means bartending for the next five years, I’ll do it,” she said

Released on March 14, Gum is about being ghosted in a relationship, she said

“I was just aware of my own patterns, and aware of my own addiction to that push-pull dynamic in a relationship,” she said, adding the song could apply to anything people should not be attracted to but are, like alcohol and cigarettes—and gum.

“It’s basically just about the cycle of wanting something you shouldn’t be wanting,” she said.

The video is Squamish through and through. It features Badger’s elementary school, Brackendale Elementary, the Brackendale General Store, Fisherman’s Park, and her family home, the old Judd Farm

The video was produced by locals Nicole Marshall and Harper Wellman.

Badger has been part of bands before, but with her first release in November, she is standing on her own two feet (with help from her team).

“It feels awesome. I feel very free It’s exciting,” she said

There are more singles coming and an extended play (EP) by the end of the year, she said

“I’m happy to have [Gum] out there as an example. But I’m really looking forward to releasing my next songs that I have been working on,” she said, adding the upcoming songs are heavier and from her soul

Asked for any final thoughts she wanted to share, Badger said, “I’m just really excited for the future And I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do.”

Gum can be heard on Spotify or any streaming platform

The video can be seen on YouTube.

StephenL.Milstein, Ph.D.,R.Psych. BC #765 - 604.938.3511

Dawna Dixx Milstein, OT.COTBC #AA0201 - 604.938.3523

Squamish: 604.848.9273

Whistler: #107 -4368 Main St, Whistler,B.C. V0N 1B4

Servingsea

18 years

Brackendale’s own Alex Badger will be releasing more new music—written and sang by her—this year

PHOTO BY AAFREEN ARORA

SIGNS OF SPRING: While beautiful, signs of spring have also meant the pollen counts have been high of late

SURVIVOR’S STORY: BURNABYMAN RECALLSBEING SWEPT AWAYINSQUAMISHRIVER IN 2020

Man’sharrowing ordeal underscores theimportanceofwater safety andsituational awareness

JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

One minute,Amiro Harati says he was enjoying aday at thebeach with friends, andminutes later, he wasclingingfor his life to alog in therushing Squamish River.

It wasAug.16, 2020—the firstsummerofthe pandemic—Harati, of Burnaby, wasnot familiar with thearea, buthad come outtothe Squamish Valley forthe daywithfriends

There wasbarbecuing, thesun,and afew beers.

Aftercooling offinthe waterclose to shore, Harati andafrienddecided to race each otherto alittleoutcropping across thewater

But soon afterstartingtoswim, Harati was beingswept away by thecurrent,and hisfriend wasnowhere to be seen

Harati is sharingnow aboutwhathappenedto himinthe hopes that others canlearn from it

He acknowledges that he didn’t actually know he wasswimming in ariver untilit wastoo late He thoughtitwas alake.

As he wasmovingfurther away in thecurrent, he sawhis friend running alongthe shore, screamingathim to swim back

Harati triedtoswimagainst thecurrent,but couldn’t getfar

“I hadalready exhausted90% of my energy at that point,”herecalled.

“I seepeoplelininguponthe shorelooking at mestruggling.”

He said,whenhelookedahead in theriver,it seemed to drop offupahead,sohewas trying to graspanythinghecould to keep himfrom moving furtherdownstream.

“There wasone last hope,a tree trunk underneath thewater.”

He wasabletolatch onto thetreewithhis legs

“Ithink it hadbeensix or sevenminutes,at thatpoint,inthe water, andI wascompletelyout of energy;myhands andfingers were completely numb.And that’s when Itried to re-collect myself,” he said

Thepeopleonshoreput alarge floaty into the waterfor himtograb, buthecouldn’tlatch on

People on shorewereyelling at him, buthe couldn’trespond,thoughhetried

“I couldn’t speak,”hesaid. “I wasout of energy.”

Thefolks on shorekeptthrowinghim therope, andeventually, he graspeditand kept hanging on

“I wasabletohold on to it andassoonasthey pulled me in [toshore], that’s when Iwentblack,” he said

Paramedics arrived, andhewas takento Squamish Hospital

He doesn’trecallthe facesofall thepeople whohelpedhim,but he is “super grateful for them,” he said

He suffered some cuts,and wasexhausted and sick fordaysafter,but knowsheislucky to have survived.

WATER’SPOWER

BC Coroners Servicedatashows most drowning deaths between2012and 2022 occurredinriversand creeks (29%), followed by lakesand ponds(28%)

Themostcommonactivitiesassociatedwith

drowningdeathswereboating (19%), swimming (18%), andfalling into water(17%)

Therewere87drowningdeathsinB.C.in 2020,the most in anyyearinthe 10-yearperiod. Between2012and 2022,anaverage of 76 people peryear died from drowning in B.C.

Therehavebeena fewdrowningorneardrowning casesoverthe last fewyears in theSea to SkyCorridor

Last weekend, awoman wasswept away in the MamquamRiver.After an extensivebut unsuccessful search over days,first responders ultimately suspendedthe search

Harati advisesothersheading outtorecreate near rivers this spring or summer to know where they aregoing andtakeresponsibilityfor their ownsafety.

“Doyourhomeworkbeforegoing,” he said

He said he hasalwaysfelthewas independent andstrong, butthisincidentshowedhim that no oneisinvincible.

“Itdefinitelyhumbled me,” he said

PLAN ANDBEAWARE AROUND WATER

Sandra Riches,executive director of BC AdventureSmart,agreed with Harati.

Ultimately, it is best to “eliminate theavoidable,”Richessaid.

Doingthe research aboutwhere youare going is key, shesaid, includingwhatthe weatherwill be andwhatkindof footwear youshouldhaveon.

Shesaid, “Easyaccessgives people [a]false sense of security,” regardless of whethertheyare visitors or locals.

Stayingsafemeans having situational awareness:being alerttowhere youare,whatthe dangersmight be andwhatis happeningaround you.

Carrying theright equipment, includinga life jacket,can be lifesaving even if youare just spendingtimenearthe river’sedge.

Andhaveaplanahead of time forwhatwill

happen if somethingdoesgowrong

“Understanding what ourgroup dynamics are andwhatwewillall do in an emergency,”she said

“Don’t drinkand play on thewater,” sheadded “Thatisa bigfactorbecause [alcohol]changes ourattentiveness andresponsivenessto situations as agroup or an individual.”

Riches said it is importantpeopleknowhow cold thewater canbe, especially at this time of year,regardlessofhow nice it gets outside.

Shepointed to the1-10-1principle spelledout on theorganization’swebsite,which relatestothe threephases of cold waterimmersion andthe approximatetimeeach phasetakes

•1minute—cold shock: An initialdeepsudden gasp followed by hyperventilation that is sixto10 timesmorerapid than normal breathing. You have oneminutetoget your breathingunder control.

•10minutes—coldincapacitation: Gradualloss of effectiveuse of your fingers, arms,and legs.If notwearing alifejacket, drowning is likely becauseofswimfailure

•1 hour—hypothermia:Eveninice water, it could take onehourbeforebecomingunconscious due to hypothermia. To lose consciousness, the body’scoretemperature hastogobelow 30 degreescelsius;thistimecan vary depending on thetemperature of thewater

In addition to theAdventureSmartsite, Riches pointedtothe BC Search andRescueAssociation website, whichhas tons of helpfuleducation optionsand information.

“Wehavea pretty awesomeprovince. It’s great to play,but we’vegot to prep forthatplay,”she said.

Please note,while TheSquamishChief reached outtoBCEmergency Health Services,local SAR andthe Squamish Valley Campground,which is notyet open forthe season,wewereunableto independently verify Harati’s accountofhis rescue by pressdeadline.

SUBMITTEDPHOTOS

AmiroHaratiisspeakingout to warn others aboutthe danger of localriver currents

‘WE’RE HAPPY YOU’RE HERE’: A SQUAMISH PICTURE BOOK BORN FROM FRIENDSHIP AND INCLUSIVITY

Local Gather bookstore owner Julie Wilkins becomes an author

JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

Though she owns a bookstore, Squamish’s Julie Wilkins hadn’t planned on becoming a published author

But now she is

Wilkins’s picture book for children, We’re Happy You’re Here, was released this month by Orca Book Publishers

The lively and inclusive illustrations are by Brady Sato of Canmore, Alta

Aimed at children aged three to five, the book started as a personal gift to her best friend, who had recently become a parent with the help of a surrogate.

“He’s a single dad, and a mutual friend and her family—she has a husband and two children—offered to carry for him, and I just thought that was such a cool, lovely thing to do that I wanted to write something for them,” said Wilkins.

“A little story that I was going to just give to them and have a friend of mine illustrate Then my husband suggested that I send it to some publishers, and then Orca Books wanted to make it into a book And so here we are.”

She said her best friend, whose child is now three years old, is “really proud” of the book

Wilkins describes the story as a “love letter to small humans” and the many people who help families grow

It is an opportunity for parents to celebrate with their children the many folks who help individuals and couples become families

“In my friend’s story somebody studied accounting to help with financial planning, somebody went to school to be able to harvest an egg, and somebody else donated that egg. And then a friend gave their body help it grow,” Wilkins said “In the book, it says ‘science, wisdom and love,’ which is just so amazing. If you think about all the many humans who had to contribute to any of us becoming families, it’s really cool.”

It was also important to her that the illustrations show a diversity of individuals and types of families

“There’s quite a few books existing that outline the science around making a baby or acknowledging the love of building different kinds of families, but not very many that do

both I think that’s the special thing of the book,” she said

Wilkins is in the process of delivering a donated copy of the book to every school in Squamish for their libraries and is open to

reading to classes for those interested

Of course, her book is available at Wilkins’s newly rebranded store Gather Bookshop (previously known as The Little Bookshop) in downtown Squamish

DISTRICT SEEKING PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON TRAFFIC SPEEDS

Squamish residents can submit feedback about traffic speeds via online or in-person mapping tool, as District explores lowering speed limits

ANDREW HUGHES ahughes@squamishchief.com

Squamish drivers may soon need to put on the brakes

In a news release, the District of Squamish says it’s launching the first phase of public engagement to examine the potential for speed limit reductions on municipal roads, in hopes of improving road safety for all users.

“The District is seeking feedback from residents of all ages, neighbourhoods and transportation preferences to understand the areas of concern related to traffic speeds,” reads the release.

“This preliminary input will help better understand speed related perceptions and concerns by all road users – people walking, cycling, rolling and driving. This feedback will help guide the District’s overall approach to considering speed limit changes in Squamish.”

Locals can submit feedback through an online mapping tool at letstalksquamish.ca/speedlimits, which is open until Monday, April 8, and point out areas of high vehicle speeds.

A map will be available to point out areas where vehicle speed is a concern at The 55 Activity Centre until April 8.

In addition to that public engagement, Mayor Armand Hurford was joined by the Squamish RCMP’s Virginia Bessette at a community drop-in chat on Wednesday, March 20, in council chambers, which The Squamish Chief attended.

Several Squamish residents joined the session, as did numerous District staff. Topics discussed included bicycle lanes and safety, parking, and speeding in certain areas. Bessette said the RCMP usually focused on education when it came to traffic safety enforcement, typically handing out verbal warnings first.

A couple of speeding zones were discussed, such as Third Avenue near Westwinds, Loggers Lane in front of Brennan Park, and Westway Avenue Some solutions were proposed, such as signs with lights or speed bumps to notify drivers of speed limits.

Notably, a District staff member, Dora Gunn, said Third Avenue was being potentially looked at to extend and connect with Buckley Avenue, so no immediate changes like speed bumps were in the works. However, Gunn also noted reducing speed limits is a fairly low-cost way to improve road safety.

The news release from the District said a report by the National Association of City Transportation Officials states that vehicle speed

The District is seeking feedback from residents of all ages, neighbourhoods and transportation preferences to understand the areas of concern related to traffic speeds.

is correlated with whether a person will survive an accident.

Converting the report into kilometres per hour, the District said a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling 50 km/h only has a 50% chance of severe injury or death, whereas if the car was travelling 30 km/h then there is only a 15% chance.

PHOTO BY TEMMUZCAN/ ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS Municipalities have the authority to change the default speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour, set by the BC Motor Vehicle Act.

PHOTO BY AAFREEN ARORA EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM: Have a spring photo to share? Send it to news@squamishchief com.

GOT SPORTS?

JAKOB JEWETT STRIKES DUAL SLALOM GOLD AT CRANKWORX

Robin Goomes bests Harriet Burbidge-Smith and Caroline Buchanan for historic first women’s slopestyle title

DAVID SONG Pique Newsmagazine

With a victory in Saturday’s dual slalom, Jakob Jewett now has a medal of every colour from Crankworx Rotorua 2024.

The Squamish rider beat out Aussie Jackson Frew by the narrowest of margins to claim victory, forcing last year’s champ to settle for runner-up status Jewett thus punches into third place in the King of Crankworx rankings with 240 points behind incumbent monarch Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (302) and Ryan Gilchrist (269).

Pene, the affable Kiwi, added a dual slalom bronze to his collection.

“What a week … three events and three podiums!” said Jewett, who also wrapped up downhill silver and air DH bronze last week “It’s been a fun week [at Crankworx] and I couldn’t ask for a better way to start the season off! Time to go home and keep chipping away.”

Great Britain’s Martha Gill broke through in the ladies’ competition as Kialani Hines and Jordy Scott finished second and third for the United States. All athletes had to deal with wet and slick conditions on course throughout the day.

Gill also opened up a slim lead in the Queen of Crankworx race (345) over Shania Rawson (340) and Hines (240).

Later on Saturday, Gilchrist took a pump track challenge title home to Australia. Pene found enough speed for silver, and Dutch contestant Niels Bensink snatched bronze to leave Tegan Cruz of Pemberton in fourth “Fierce competitor,” said Gilchrist of Pene in a press release. “Just nothing but the best he brings to the table at every race I knew I needed to bring my best, and I did rise to the occasion and I’m very very proud of how I put myself together there.

ENTER WOMEN’S SLOPESTYLE

The tenth iteration of Crankworx Rotorua culminated Sunday in a piece of history: the first-ever ladies’ slopestyle event.

Robin Goomes ascended to first prize on behalf of her native New Zealand with an outstanding 90.75-point effort that netted her $16,000 NZD. Harriet Burbidge-Smith took

runner-up position (85.50) and Caroline Buchanan held on for third (80.25).

Close friends Goomes and Burbidge-Smith opted for a celebratory jaunt down the track after their first runs.

“The plan for run 2 was just to clean that [first] ride up, but instead, Haz [BurbidgeSmith] and I stayed in our positions, and Haz was saying that if she stayed in second, she was happy to just party train down,” Goomes elaborated in a release. “Honestly, that’s the dream: having fun with your friends. It’s been a good week!”

Buchanan was pensive shortly following

the festivities.

“One of those things I remember, two years ago sitting in the booth here when the men were on and I said, you know, it would be unreal to see women. Fast forward to two years later, now I see the top six ladies in the world who are completely ready for this course and this experience, to just all shine,” said the reigning Crankworx Queen to reporters. “There were so many little girls in the stands, there were so many spectators, so many people cheering

“For me, growing up in BMX since the age of five, it’s really hard to be what you can’t see,

so being seen I think is the most important thing right now for the future of women’s slopestyle To be one of the older girls in the class at 33, still throwing down, this is probably one of my career highlights today.”

The men elected not to participate amidst ongoing disputes regarding athlete renumeration, weather and course design However, they did join their female peers in an honourary party train for mountain bike icon Kelly “McGazza” McGarry, who died in 2016 after going into cardiac arrest

Full results from Rotorua are available at www.crankworx.com/results.

PHOTO BY CLINT TRAHAN Jakob Jewett (left) edged out Jackson Frew for dual slalom gold at Crankworx Rotorua on March 23, 2024

AVERYKRUMME, MATTHEUS HESLOP NAMEDTOCANADIAN JUNIORWORLDSTEAM

TheSquamish-basedfreestyle skiers in Italy

DAVIDSONG

PiqueNewsmagazine

Avery Krumme andMattheusHeslopare Italy-bound

Thetwo Squamolian freestyleskiers areoff to Livignotorepresent Canada at theFIS Junior WorldChampionships.

Krumme hasbeenonquite thetearthis season,withtwo goldsand threesilvermedals across Canada Cupslopestyleand bigair events inthe Yukon, SunPeaks andHorseshoe Valley, Ont. Heslop hasbeengrindingaway on the Nor-Am circuit, with hisbest2024resulta17th placeinslopestyleatMammoth Mountain.

Whistler-basedcoach Shonny Charbonneau will accompanythe youngCanadians at what is both theirand herfirst world-levelcompetition.

“It’samazing,” said Krumme.“It reallymeans

alot to getopportunities like that,and to have the experiencesthatnot many others have.”

BOUNCING BACK

At 15 yearsold,Krummehas alreadydisplayed palpable resilience.She missedthe entire 2022-23campaignafter breaking both collarbones,but paid herduesin therehab process. As aresult, she’scomebackswingingand imposed herwillonthe competitionmoreoften than not.

“Iwas just motivatedbymyloveofthe sport: getting back outthere,pushing my limits and being betterthanIwas before,” Krumme said.

AddsCharbonneau:“More than anyone,Avery works hard andstays focusedduringtraining. She’salwaysontime. Ithink shewas able to comebacksuper strong becauseshe always goes tothe gymand sheisareallyhardworker.”

Krumme’sfather, Ray, is notsurprised by this turn of events.Heknows hisdaughtertobea

determined person whogot past theinitial letdownofbeing injuredtochangeher mindset forthe better.Krummeadded more weight trainingtoher routineand learnedtouse her time more intentionally

Having bucketsofnatural talent doesn’thurt either.FreestyleBCcoach Graham Pollock lauds Krumme’s abilitytospininall four directions sinceshe was11years of age: unusualfor someonesoyoung.She’s innately composed on herskis—if anything,Pollock hastried to rein herinattimes so they canfurther cement her foundational skills during heryouth

“Mytwo cents: Iknowshe’s goingtobeone of thebestskiersinthe world,”hesaid. “I’m just waitingfor that opportunitysoshe candoit.”

“Avery’salwayshad this naturalstyle with skiing,”concurs Charbonneau. “Evenwhenshe first triesanew trick, she’ll usuallylanditwith style. She’salwaysthinkingahead aboutwhat new skills shehas to learnfor certaincompetitions…and nitpicking hertricksjusttomake themperfect,which is really cool to seefroman athleteofher age.”

CONFIDENT, NOTCOCKY

Heslop is no slouch himselfwhenitcomes to talent andworkethic.

Sincehis earlyteens,Heslophas been winning medals in bigair,slopestyleand moguls.It’s uncommon forany freestyler to achieve consistent successinall three, causingPollock to take notice.Right offthe bat, Heslop impressed hisnew mentor with hisability,poise and coachablenature.

Nowhe’sready to struthis stuffatanall-new level.

“Being apartofateamthat’srepresentingmy countryisan honour,and I’mreallylooking forwardtospendingmoretimewithmyfellow

competitorsfromaroundthe world,”Heslop said

Freestyletrainingisayear-roundcommitment,and the18-year-old splits histime betweenthe gymand thetrampolinewhenever he’s notonsnow. He knowswhathe’scapable of, anddoesn’t shyawayfroma good challenge.

“‘Confident’ is awordyou canuse to describe Mattheus,” remarked Pollock. “It’snot so much confidence that he shutsmeashis coach down—helistens to basicallywhateverI sayas long as it’s agoodidea, butthenthatconfidence allows himtotrust me andhimself to really push hisboundaries.

“Tobeperfectly honest, Ican’t sayI’m surprisedbythe trajectory that hiscareerhas taken. He’s supertalented, butI don’twantthat to overshadow howmuchworkheactuallyputs in andhis dedication to thesport.”

Heslop,ofcourse, doesn’tdoitalone,and he made sure to thankthe coachesand lovedones whohelphim pull offhis high-flying endeavours.

“I have an amazingsupport system through my family,friends,ski communityand coaches, as well as CoastMountainAcademy andtheir high-performance program,”hesaid. “I’m also incredibly grateful to UrbanAlpineherein Squamish fortheir generous supportoverthe years.”

Both Krumme andHeslopwould love to podium at Junior Worlds,and thefolks in their corner want that forthem. More importantthan accolades, however, arethe experiencesthey standtogainwhile overseas

“I want them to go andhavethe best time possible,” Pollockexpressed. “Meetsomelifelong friends, eatsomereallygoodfoodand just have thebesttimeskiingwithsomeofthe best athletes in theworld.”

PHOTOCOURTESYOFRACHELKRUMME

AveryKrumme(left)and Mattheus Heslop of Squamish arerepresentingCanadaatthe 2024 FIS Junior WorldChampionship.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PROJECT INFORMATION

MEETING Adevelopment

application has been submitted to District of Squamish for property located at 37707 Second Avenue, Squamish, B.C.

Please join the owners: Lazo and Zoran Bjelica, Architect: Chris Hunter and Landscape

Architect: Julian Pattison at a meeting to discuss the application and proposed mixed use development.

Date: Thursday, April 11th,

2024

Time: 6:30-8:00 pm

Location of the Meeting: Howe

Sound Bres Pub and Hostel @ the Firebread Room (Directly to your right as you enter the lobby)

ACasual presentation by the Applicant will begin at: 7pm followed by time for questions and discussion.

The meeting is being held by the Applicant in compliance with District of Squamish policy. The applicant will present details of the application and proposed development, receive input from members of the community and respond to questions. Notices are being distributed to residents within 100m of the subject property.

If you have any questions in regard to this notice please contact the Planning Department, at 604-815-5002 or Chris Hunter the Architect of record at info@hunteroffice.ca and/or bring your questions and comments to the meeting.

This is not aPublic Hearing. Council will receive areport from staff detailing attendance and interest it the proposal and will formally consider the application at alater date. Please visit squamish.ca/show case to view and comment on this application.

Thank you for your consideration and input.

Sincerely, Chris HunterARCHITECT AIBC

Superior

Squamish Home 604-898-2333

Hiring GeneralLabourers

Must Have Construction Experience.

Approved LMIA Available

Contact: 604-567-3337 info@bctfencing.ca

Vacasa’s

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NightDuty

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Owner

peryear

FullTimeall year round

https://www.vacasa.com/careers/positions

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HYDROVAC OPERATOR -Valid Class 1orClass 3with airbrakesrequired. Manualtransmission. 2years experience preferred. $32-$37per hour

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, Squamish -Minimum 5years or 5,000hours operating experience on excavator. Full-time, Monday–Friday.$33-$42 per hour

HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, Whistler – RedSealCertified, Commercial Truck &Transport, Transport Trailer required. CVSE Inspector’sticket, AirConditioning ticket, Class 1or3with air brakes preferred. Toolbox available for rent.$37.70-$39.80 per hour

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST – Keen eyefor detail and proficiency in data entry and management required. Completion of accounting courses preferred. $24-$28per hour

ACCOUNTANT – Preparefinancial information, statements, reports anddevelop internal control procedures. CPAorworking towards designation preferred. $26-$32per hour

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ACROSS

1. Pale gray

4. Stain

8. Sail

12. Tip of Italy

13. Volcanic output

14. Set of three

15. “____ Miss Brooks”

16. Tennis event

17. Fruit skin

18. Thrive

20. Encounters

21. Apiece

22. City’s smaller cousin

23. List of activities

26 Baby’s bed

English beverage

dry

TAKE A BREAK

39. Go for it

41. Foreigner

43. Intersected

47. Marigold’s beginning

48. Street sign

49. Logger’s tool

50. Simple

51. Dad

52. and tonic

53. Poker word

54. Grace finale

55. Boar’s home

DOWN

1. On the summit of

2. Certain cream

3. Idol

4. Skier’s locale

5. Desk item: 2 wds.

6. Through

7 Catch some rays

8. Scatter

9. Familiarized

10. “____ Misbehavin’ “

ARIES

March 21-April 19

A new divine inspiration will guide you toward a promising life project. Making the right decisions will enable you to build a fulfilling retirement Remember that the future is built one step at a time, so it’s time to get started.

TAURUS

April 20-May 20

May 21-June 20

11. Poles

19. Tater

20. Criminal gang

22. Acrobat’s walkway

23. Merry month

24. Period of note

25. Coldest

27. Ditch

29. Objective

30. Classified

33. Inlets

35. Hit the jackpot

38. Tint again

40. Comic Martin’s partner

41. To the ocean

42. Scrawny

43. Chowder shellfish

44. Droops downward

45. Depart

46. Claim to be untrue

48. Health facility

SCRIBBLE BOX

LIBRA

Sept 23-Oct. 22

A spontaneous getaway with friends could be on the horizon. Travel could turn out to be more complicated than expected and communication could be difficult with certain people Learn to let go when you’re faced with obstacles Oct 23-Nov. 21

GEMINI

If you need to finance a project, a visit to the bank could be enough Your determination will help you meet the right people. A romantic soul will stir your heart, even arousing a touch of jealousy.

CANCER

June 21-July 22

HOW TO PLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains

Each 3 x 3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few

July 23-Aug. 22

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

Harmony sometimes requires compromise. Prepare yourself for a demanding event at work that may not receive a quick response, even in an emergency. A certain situation will require you to be tactful and diplomatic Dec. 22-Jan. 19

LEO

You’ll be approached by numerous clients, some of whom may be difficult to please. Don’t take this personally and do your best. In your love life, avoid bottling up your frustrations.

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

You’ll finally succeed in selling your house or finding your dream home If you’ve lived in the same home for several years, expect a few waves of nostalgia. The opportunity to take over a management position is on the horizon.

SCORPIO

Your words, ideas and opinions will bring many people together around common interests. Others will listen to you attentively. You may also enjoy moments of levity with some people

SAGITTARIUS

Financial concerns may put your relationship to the test. However, make sure you leave room for affection, even in times of worry. Your love will be able to soothe all uncertainties

CAPRICORN

Despite the challenges that come with starting fresh, don’t let anyone upset you Concentrate on your priorities Your time investment will be appreciated and inspire your inner artist.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb 18

If you’re single, sudden popularity could lead to love at first sight Take the time to get to know the person before getting carried away by your feelings You’ll greatly improve your efficiency after making certain changes in how you work Feb. 19-March 20

TheParish of St.John theDivine, Squamish

Holy Communion and MorningWorship

Sundays at 10:00 AM Rev

Cameron Gutjahr

1930 Diamond Road 604-898-5100

www.squamishanglicanchurch.ca info@squamishanglicanchurch.ca

A period of deep reflection about your personal aspirations is on the horizon. Improving your health will lead to a less stressful lifestyle and a promising new start in spring

PISCES

Your social life will be lively this week There will be lots of people around you and plenty of activities to take part in. Your laughter will be contagious, and you’ll have the opportunity to make the most of these moments with some of the most exciting people around.

Sundays 10am

our website and Facebook Live 2262ReadCres. 604-898-3737