The current boom in Squamish impacts everyone in our town to a greater or lesser degree.
We feel it here at The Chief both professionally and personally too.
This week the woman many of us consider the welcoming face of The Chief is leaving. Louise Prevost has stood at the front desk welcoming readers, tourists and anyone else who wants to stop by and chat, pick up a paper or get a photocopy made, for close to 12 years. She does so much more behind the scenes, but it is her smiling face at the front desk most will remember.
She has been in Squamish for 33 years.
She and her partner have sold their Brackendale home and will be moving to the interior so they can retire. Squamish’s loss is their gain. Had she stayed, retirement would have remained a far off dream, she says.
We all know families like this who have cashed out and left the town they love to have an affordable life they will enjoy more.
Other changes are inconvenient, such as less parking and more people at our favourite river spot or trail head.
At my gym, there’s a sign up that says, “Due to the rising cost and low availability of commercial rentals in Squamish – we are currently paying up towards $12,000 a month – we are looking into a new location.”
The notice goes on to explain that the situation has to be sorted out by fall.
Members at the gym are left to wonder if the facility will be able to reopen somewhere else and where that may be.
I realize that these are First World problems we are, in some ways, lucky to have.
Living in a town that is in decline is stressful too, and we shouldn’t lose sight of that. But at the same time, we need to recognize that there are growing pains.
Some in our community deal with this by hunkering down and lashing out at those who came to town after them, bemoaning the “city” folk moving in next door.
Others pretend everything is rosy and demand the complainers paste smiles on their faces.
Neither way of coping is helpful. Like a teenager all gangly and awkward, Squamish is finding itself. Eventually our voice will change and we will be a new, confident adult, but in the meantime, let’s be gentle with each other. Growing up isn’t easy.
