The legendary winds of Howe Sound may blow a National Sailing Centre right into Squamish. Currently there is no location in Canada that holds this designation from either the Canadian Yachting Association, or B.C. Sailing.
Quentin Pollock, who is part of the group trying to make this dream a reality, said of Squamish, "very few places are as ideally located both geographically, and are this close to a town centre."
This combination, said Pollock, will not only attract Canada's best sailors from early May to mid-September, but also elite sailors from around the world.
Ideally, the facilities would include a public launch ramp, docks, a parking lot and a change room on the East (Chief) side of the Nexen lands, as this provides a "quick and easy sail into open water." The "non-exclusive" launch ramp would be open to fishermen, sailors and likely anyone else who wishes to use it. The facilities being multi-functional is a big part of the project, especially since the sailors will only require them approximately five months of the year. Also, during those five months Pollock hopes to host "large sailing regattas."
Another benefit of the facilities - this time to the community - would likely be a base from where sailing lessons may be taught, something Squamish currently lacks.
So far, after a number of meetings both the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation and the District of Squamish have been "extremely supportive" said Pollock.
"The timetable is dictated by the SODC and the DOS," Pollock explained, and he was very encouraged as "mayor Sutherland and council are very supportive of recreation attractions."
