The Valleycliffe childcare project has been delayed due to some underground barriers.
At a June 13 committee of the whole meeting, District of Squamish council was informed of the delay. Now, the project has the possible start of construction during the first quarter of 2024.
Initially, the District set a lofty goal for the project as it was intended to be operational by the start of the 2023 to 2024 school year. The stand-alone building just off Hemlock Avenue will have 12 spaces for infants and toddlers and 24 spaces for ages 30 months and older, equalling 36 spaces overall.
Part of the delay includes an additional $500,000 in cost, increasing the total of the project to about $2.5 million. The project is being funded through grants, one of which is over $2 million from the provincial government.
This increase in price is due to the discovery of an artifact as well as the uncovering of a gas line. At this time, information about the artifact that was found is not being released to the public or media.
“As archaeological materials were identified during this pre-construction assessment, the District is applying for a Site Alteration Permit as required in order to move forward with the development project. All permit requirements will be followed for heritage protection in accordance with the Heritage Conservation Act,” wrote District spokesperson, Rachel Boguski, in an email to The Squamish Chief.
“Specific information such as what was found and the exact location is not available to the public as per the Heritage Conservation Act.”
The Ministry of Forests wrote in an email to The Squamish Chief that withholding this information is meant to “protect” the find.
“Site-specific archaeological information is not made publicly available to protect the integrity of these important finds,” said Ministry spokesperson Nigel McInnis.
However, McInnis followed up by saying certain groups of people can learn more.
“However, those interested in a site or sites such as First Nations, professional archaeologists, landowners, planners, realtors, lawyers, and local, provincial, and federal government agencies can request information by visiting BC Archaeological Information Request Form.”
Mary Simonds, an archaeologist and heritage resource specialist with the province, told The Squamish Chief that “despite the fact that [Valleycliffe Elementary] is a public school, if the land is owned by the District, they are the only ones who can request access to information about archaeology sites on the property.”
“If the landowner agrees to release the information — which we would require proof of — then it can be provided,” she continued.
Simonds also explained that there is no established list of what may be considered an artifact.
“Artifacts take many forms and archaeological sites can be identified and protected for a number of reasons beyond the presence [of] artifacts,” she wrote.
This childcare project was announced in April 2022 and is a partnership between the District of Squamish, School District 48 and Sea to Sky Community Services.
The Squamish Chief reached out to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) about this story and will update it if we learn more.
