Squamish's Rope Runner Aerial Adventure Park is closed for good.
On Dec. 6, owners of the attraction, located in the parking lot across from the Squamish Adventure Centre, put out a news release announcing it had been sold.
"With a heavy heart, the ownership group of Rope Runner Aerial Park announces the permanent closure of the attraction in Squamish," the release reads. "The park equipment has been sold to Panorama Mountain Village in B.C. and will contribute to the growth of their new summer activities offering."
As locals have noticed, this week saw the beginning of the dismantling process. The park is set to be transported to its new home, where it will get a new name, next week.
"We want to thank the Squamish community for our incredible journey together. The decision to close Rope Runner Aerial Park was not made lightly, and we are immensely grateful for the years of support from our patrons and the community at large," said J.P Tondreau, one of the locals who owned Rope Runner Aerial Park.
Tondreau told The Squamish Chief that the park had not been as busy as the owners had hoped. The years of the pandemic didn't help either.
So when an opportunity came up to sell and give the attraction a new home, the owners took it.
Tondreau noted that the District of Squamish, with which the company has a contract to lease a portion of the lot, is looking at its long-term vision for the Adventure Centre, so now the full lot can return to the community for whatever use comes next.
The District told The Squamish Chief that the municipality will be developing a concept plan for the gravel lot at 38540 Loggers Lane, where Rope Runner was located.
“The plan will guide the District’s decision-making to maximize the use of the property—for both residents and visitors—for the next 20-plus years,” said the muni’s Rachel Boguski.
“Public engagement will help to identify new ideas and proposals for the property that will optimize connections to the Squamish Adventure Centre and adjacent public spaces. The insights gained will also support decision-making around current and future leases on the property.”
The annual lease fee for the lot used by Rope Runner is $23,216, according to Boguski.
Tondreau said he was glad the attraction was going to a B.C. community, which is near Invermere, and not out of the country or province.
"There's no definite answer on what could have been done better," Tondreau said, when asked what could have been done to avoid this outcome.
He said they felt good about the marketing that was done for the park and had experimented with being open during more months, but with Squamish’s weather, that isn’t always a feasible option for an outdoor attraction.
“I think it was a combination of factors. And the timing was just right for us,” he said.
The park opened about six years ago.
"The memories created and the adventures shared at Rope Runner Aerial Park will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who experienced the thrill of its unique attraction," reads the release.
*Please note that we updated this story when we heard back from the District about its plans for the property.
