April 29, 2022
DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH RECEIVES $2,000,100 FOR NEW CHILDCARE FACILITY 
The District of Squamish has received $2,000,100 from the B.C. ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund to build and co-locate a municipally-owned childcare facility at Valleycliffe Elementary School in Squamish in partnership with School District 48 and Sea to Sky Community Services Society. The facility will provide 36 new full-time spaces - 12 Infant/Toddler spaces plus 24 group care spaces (30-months to school age) in a new, 250 square metre stand-alone building. The school site is centrally located in the Valleycliffe neighbourhood, adjacent to a municipally-owned park. The childcare centre will be supported by a long-term lease agreement between School District 48 and District of Squamish, and operated long-term by Sea to Sky Community Services Society.
DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP TEAM WELCOMES FOUR NEW MEMBERS 
The District of Squamish Economic Leadership Team (ELT) has welcomed four new members to the team for 2022. The ELT is a volunteer-based committee that provides advice and expertise on economic development strategy in Squamish in line with the District’s Strategic Plan. The following new members have joined the team (in alphabetical order): 
 
  • Katrina Carroll-Foster, Partner & Strategist, Kollectively   
  • Sarah Goodman, CEO & Founder, Chiwis  
  • Kim Stegeman-Lowe, Vice President, People, Technology & Sustainability, Western Group  
  • Greg Tooke, Co-Founder, B Corp & Strategy Advisor, Light Trail Consulting 

Established in 2020 as a staff advisory group for Economic Development, the ELT is comprised of individuals with local expertise and passion in economic development-related fields. Meetings are held quarterly to facilitate ongoing and productive engagement between the ELT and District of Squamish with additional engagement on an as-needed basis.
PUBLIC HEARING HEARING - HAVE YOUR SAY
A Public Hearing is being held on Tuesday, May 10 at 6 p.m.
 
What’s proposed: Rezoning to permit development of 20 duplex units, 18 townhouses and 194 apartments.
A copy of the proposed bylaw and related information that has been or may be considered by the Council can be inspected online (learn more below) or at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, from April 29 to May 10. Please contact the Planning Department on 604.815.5002 for any questions. All submissions will form part of the public record. Council will not consider submissions received after the close of the Public Hearing.
PUBLIC WORKS OPEN HOUSE MAY 18
May 15 - 21 is National Public Works Week!

Drop in to join members of Council, members of the Public Works team, and District staff at the Public Works Yard to celebrate and learn about all-things public works in Squamish on Wednesday, May 18 between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Bring the kids!

Kids will be able to check out the equipment, sit in an excavator, and learn about how the water and sewer system works in Squamish through an interactive display. All attendees will be entered into a draw for one of four beautiful District hanging baskets that will be created during the event as part of a horticulture showcase station. Staff will lead guided tours of the public works yard throughout the evening. Join us to learn more about the public works facility, plans for the replacement facility, how the District proposes to fund the replacement, and the critical role Public Works plays in our community. Light refreshments will be available.
OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT MAY 1
Stage One Outdoor Water Use restrictions will be in effect as of May 1, limiting lawn watering to two days per week

In Stage 1, a permit is required to water new sod/seeded lawns. Once Stage 2 is in effect permits will no longer be issued. Call Public Works at 604.815.6868 to obtain a free Outdoor Water Use permit to support additional watering to establish new lawns.

Water conservation tips:
  • Now is a great time to install new sod or put down grass seed, taking advantage of the cooler weather and spring rains.
  • Consider watering your gardens with a handheld hose equipped with an automated shut-off nozzle. 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARENESS WEEK: MAYOR FOR A DAY SUBMISSIONS ON NOW
The District of Squamish will once again celebrate Local Government Awareness Week from May 16-22. The goal of this week is to raise awareness about the vital role local government plays in our community. This year, the District has once again invited local youth to be selected Mayor for a Day, where they, along with a friend of their choice, will be invited to the District to take a tour of the Police Station, Municipal Hall, ride in a fire truck, and enjoy a pizza lunch with their whole class!

Please let us know why you would like to be the Mayor for a day by submitting your letter, picture, video, poem or song to Mayor Karen Elliott at Municipal Hall during office hours, or in the after-hours drop box (to the right of Municipal Hall front doors), or mail to “Mayor for a Day”, PO Box 310, Squamish, BC, V8B 0A3 or by email to [email protected].

The submission deadline is Wednesday, May 11 at 5 p.m. Please be sure to include the student’s name, age and grade, teacher’s name and school.
WEEKLY ORGANICS COLLECTION UNDERWAY
If you don’t compost at home yet, this is a great time to start. Over 30% of the garbage collected from residents is actually compostable. Collecting organic material separately from garbage helps to extend the life of the landfill, limits greenhouse gas production from the landfill, and produces a valuable soil amendment. Download the Squamish Curbside Collection app for waste sorting tips and collection schedule reminders on the go. Don’t forget: Organics will be picked up between 8 a.m. and noon on your collection day; recycling will be picked up later.
PARK USE PROGRAM SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 3
We need community input to help us create a program that will make it easier for businesses and non-profit organizations to book and use park space in Squamish. If you are a park user, a resident who lives near a park, a business or non-profit who wants to book park space in Squamish or a business owner located near a park – we want to hear from you!
CELEBRATING NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
This is a time to celebrate and recognize all our volunteers who lend their time and talents to help our community! We’d like to sincerely thank all our volunteers for their time, talent, dedication, empathy, compassion, generosity and support that help make Squamish a more vibrant, inclusive, and caring place to live.

Here are some events that our amazing community volunteers participated in over the last few weeks alone:

  • Pitch In Week: 70 Volunteers helped clean up almost 2 tons of litter from around the community!
  • The Repair Café –15 Volunteers offered their skills to help repair 61 household items that were brought in by 37 visitors on Saturday. 56 of the items were successfully repaired with garments being the most common category repaired (42 items were brought in and all repaired!).
  • Gabby Buchanan, Ruby Armstrong and Oliver Morris from Howe Sound Secondary School helped plant 180 trees (Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedars) on the east side of Centennial Fields to help with biodiversity and create a more friendly wildlife corridor!

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Squamish Nonprofit Network will be hosting a Nonprofit Fair on Saturday, April 30 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Junction Park, 37950 Cleveland Avenue. This free-entry event is open to everyone, come down and meet some of our incredible local volunteers!
COMMUNITY NOTICES AND EVENTS
Wildfire Preparedness Workshop for Squamish and Paradise Valley Farms, Ranches, and Rural Properties

Farmers, ranchers, and rural property owners are invited to attend this workshop, which will highlight potential wildfire risks to agricultural operations and the measures producers can take to prepare for and mitigate those risks. The session will also cover key content in the Farm/Ranch wildfire guide and workbook. Please email [email protected] to register by Thursday, May 5.

When: May 11 - 7 - 9 p.m.
Where: Cheakamus Centre in Melody Hall, 2170 Paradise Valley Road.
Annual Mayor's Luncheon hosted by Squamish Chamber of Commerce

Join the Chamber to help celebrate the amazing entrepreneurs, progressive businesses, and strong leaders who are dedicated to improving the well-being of this wonderful community.  

Hear from Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott, while enjoying lunch with old and new acquaintances. An audience question and answer period will be facilitated following the Mayor's address.  

Purchase an individual ticket or host a whole table.  

When: June 1, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
Where: Howe Sound Brew Pub. 
Filming and Noise Exemptions

  • A Noise Exemption has been granted for a private event located at 38544 Sky Pilot Drive from Thursday, May 5 to Saturday, May 7 from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.

  • A Work Permit has been approved for filming at Evans Lake from May 4 – 6. Location parking for a film crew has been granted at the Squamish Municipal Airport for the duration of filming.
Annual sanitary sewer flushing, video inspection and vapour testing

CCTV inspection and vapour testing in the Industrial Park, Loggers Lane, Hospital Hill and Valleycliffe areas is scheduled to begin May 2. Detailed notices will be delivered to affected residents and businesses in the area in advance.

Timeframe: May 2 through May 15.
DEVELOPMENT SHOWCASE
Latest additions to the Development Showcase:

1331, 1251, 1100 Bailey Street, and 38261 Cleveland Avenue - Development Permit
38872 Garibaldi Avenue - Development Variance Permit
38373 Buckley Avenue - Development Permit
UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS


Tuesday, May 3 at 1 p.m.

Tuesday, May 3 at 6 p.m.
Did you know? All Council Meeting videos are available with closed captioning. Closed captioning is available through Chrome browsers as a built-in feature that allows users to turn on Live Caption for media within the Chrome environment. Live Caption is only available in English and only in Chrome.

To turn on Live Caption:
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WHAT'S ON IN RECREATION
As of April 8, proof of vaccination is no longer a requirement by order of the public health order. Masks in public indoor settings are a personal choice. Please respect the individual decisions of others.

Youth Pickleball/Ping Pong
May 1, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Come by the gym and hang out with a group of friends, while you play a sport or two, listen to music and have a bite to eat - we’ll bring the snacks! $2 per person.

Youth Job Fair
May 3, 5 - 8 p.m.
Squamish Recreation Services is now hiring multiple positions! We are actively recruiting youth who are currently enrolled in Grade 10 and above for program leaders and instructors with a specific need for experienced mountain bikers. We offer an active outdoor environment, a competitive wage, leadership opportunities and fun on the job! Youth aged 15 to 25 are invited to attend our Youth Job Fair to learn more and apply for summer work opportunities. Training begins on June 20 for summer camp positions beginning July 4.  

May 7, 12 - 2:15 p.m.
All youth aged 12-24 are welcome at this special event in honour of BC Youth Week! Come and meet up with friends and socialize while skating in this fun environment. Skate patrols are on the ice to supervise and support skaters. Regular skate rental fees apply.

May 7, 5 - 7 yrs at 9 - 9:45 a.m., 8 - 9 yrs at 10 - 10:45 a.m., 10 - 16 yrs at 11 - 11:45 a.m.
This clinic will give kids a chance to run through the course as a group and led by a coach. The age group will stay together and will not be racing. There will be a chance before and after the course to ask questions and receive helpful tips for race day. Youth who are registered for the Squamish Youth Triathlon have to be grouped in the appropriate age group. Age groups are based on their age as of December 31 of the current year, not the child's age on the day of registration.  
COMING UP AT THE LIBRARY
For more information and library hours, visit squamishlibrary.ca.
Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
On April 23, join us behind the library to meet the mural artists who will be collaboratively painting a mural on the back of the library during Victoria Day weekend. In preparation for the painting, come share your ideas and meet the artists. The event will be held in the Library parking lot behind the library building.

Thursday, May 12, 7 - 8:30 p.m. (online)
Join Michael to learn about Squamish River watershed wildlife. Allen has been busy in the field camera-monitoring bears, mountain lions, and wolves and will share his videos and updates on these animals and more!

Join us for half an hour as we read books, sing songs, dance, and much more. Sessions are available for both families of all ages and special times just for babies, where you can meet other new parents/ caregivers, have fun and help your baby develop a love of books and reading!

Thursday, May 26, 7 - 8:30 p.m. 
In May, we will be discussing The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Everyone is welcome to join. The library has copies of the book on a first-come-first-served basis.
Upcoming Events: