Homeowners who suffered from a devastating arson that destroyed a Government Road townhouse complex just days before Christmas are one step closer to healing as plans to rebuild are nearing completion.
On Dec. 13, 2009, the eight-unit complex near the Mamquam Road intersection succumbed to an as-yet unsolved crime, according to police, leaving residents scrambling to deal with sudden homelessness.
Nearly four months later, victims are still finding ways to cope, said the complex strata president Matt McNulty.
"It was a pretty traumatic experience for everybody," he said. "Some people are dealing with it a little better than others, but on the whole everybody's getting through it."
Most of the units' owners had content insurance, but those who didn't are now burdened with mortgage payments as well as residential rental costs.
However help from the community has helped to mitigate the situation's harshest aspects.
"The next day we were getting clothes and phone calls and everything else, people just wanting to help, from local businesses to private people to just everybody," said McNulty. "That's been a real help in the healing process, just the fact that so many people care."
Very shortly after the homes were engulfed in flames, the complex's insurance company decided to rebuild.
"They just take a look at the bottom line and see what would be best and take into account the owners," said McNulty. "We wanted to rebuild there for sure."
Pre-planning at the district level took place before the year had even ended since "it can be a long process," said McNulty.
Now another significant step in the healing process is taking place as blueprints get fleshed out with the help of the District of Squamish planning department, said McNulty.
"The feedback from planning department - [the homeowners are] just really, really appreciative of it," he said.
The eight-unit complex will be similar to the previous 30-year-old development with a few exceptions: ground level garages and underground parking will be added to meet flood plane regulations - however the overall 35-foot height limit remains - and the setback from Government Road will be slightly increased to 25 metres.
McNulty reiterated that the support from the community helped tremendously in dealing with the shock of losing one's home.
"The support from the community has been outstanding," he said. "Myself and the rest of the homeowners are all really, really appreciative for what we have gotten from the community. It's really nice to see. It makes you realize what a special place Squamish is to live in."
Plans for the rebuild are expected before council by May. Construction is expected to take a year from its beginning to final occupancy.
