Member of Parliament Pam Goldsmith-Jones will be in Squamish Saturday (Feb. 27) to hear local people’s views on the proposed Woodfibre LNG project. She is hosting three public meetings in her West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding to gather feedback on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency analysis of expected upstream greenhouse gas emissions.
The Squamish meeting will be at the Eagle Eye Theatre in Howe Sound Secondary School from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Cap U closes program
Capilano University will not be offering its advanced wilderness leadership certificate course next year.
The Squamish Chief received a copy of an email sent to students last week informing them the course will not be funded for next year. The message states the decision still has to be confirmed next month but that students were being informed early in order to make alternate plans.
The local campus, located on Winnipeg Street, currently offers the wilderness program as well as business administration programs.
Youth Muslim open house
As part of a nationwide campaign, Demystify Islam, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association is hosting an open house called Justice and World Peace in Squamish. The campaign began in December in response to the attacks by terrorists in Paris. The goal is to spread peace, demystify Islam and create religious harmony. The Squamish event will be on Saturday (Feb. 27) from noon to 4 p.m. at the Squamish Public Library.
Public hearing
Have your say on the annual update of the District of Squamish’s Zoning Bylaw on March 1. The proposed amendments ease zoning restrictions in several areas, including construction within floodplain areas, secondary suites and child care centres. The hearing is on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. in Municipal Hall’s Council Chambers.
Bike fest finds new spot
The Sea to Sky school board approved a request from the Squamish Motorcycle Festival at a special meeting on Feb. 17 to use the parking lot and field at Howe Sound Secondary School for this year’s event, to be held July 2 and 3.
Because the festival includes a beer garden, the board had to grant an exemption from its policy governing the public use of school facilities. The festival is described as a family- and female-friendly event. The festival organizers want to expand the event and need more space.
Walking popular in town
Squamites like to walk and ride, so it is no surprise that is exactly what the district’s recent survey on active transportation showed.
The District of Squamish’s November online survey of 274 residents showed 87 per cent of residents walk three times a week. Residents who walk for recreation made up 47 per cent of walkers, while 40 per cent hit their stride as a method of transportation.
Many of the survey respondents, 85 per cent, said they jump on their bike at least three times a week as well. Some 43 per cent of riders pushed their pedals for recreation, while 42 per cent used their two wheels as a method of transportation. Top destinations mentioned by respondents to walk or ride were schools, trails, the neighbourhood or downtown Squamish. Top barriers to walking were a lack of time, weather and distance. Barriers to riding included weather, lack of facilities and a lack of time.
The survey results will help inform council and the district on ways to improve active transportation. A meeting of the district’s active transportation plan is scheduled for Saturday, March 12 at Brennan Park Recreation Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New gas line
FortisBC will be installing a natural gas line along Finch Drive, Loggers Lane and Raven Drive over the next week and a half, according to a news release. The work is needed to provide service to a new subdivision at the end of Raven Drive.
