Squamish Adventure Centre Revitalization project

Project Update, February 2023:

Construction will soon begin on the revitalization plan for the Squamish Adventure Centre (SAC) made possible through Tourism Dependent Community funding from the Province of B.C. The $700,000 project will bring physical improvements to the SAC to improve the visitor experience and economic viability of the building. The SAC will close for two months beginning February 24 while renovations are underway.

Once complete, upgrades will include:

1. Immersive Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Story tourism experience aimed at inspiring a new generation of travellers to Squamish.
2. Theatre improvements to increase flexibility and modernize the space for meetings, trainings and events.

Tourism Squamish will continue to provide interim visitor services during the closure. For more information visit exploresquamish.com.

Background:

On September 28, 2021, Council endorsed a Province of B.C.-funded revitalization plan for the Squamish Adventure Centre (SAC) which includes physical improvements to the SAC building and the surrounding site. 

These improvements are entirely funded through a $700,000 grant received by the Province of BC via its Tourism Dependent Communities Fund. Thirty-two communities that depend heavily on tourism revenue have received a combined $19.4 million through the Tourism Dependent Communities Initiative, part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, intended to generate jobs, create valuable assets for communities and attract more visitors in the future as tourism economies emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can view the conceptual drawings, a key stakeholder engagement report, and the presentation made to Council below.   

Purpose:
The project will refresh and enhance Squamish’s only purpose-built tourism centre while also improving its operational efficiency.

Business Need:
As the Squamish Adventure Centre building enters its 15th year of operation, the building and its operations would benefit from upgrades. Further external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in technology and consumer shifts to digital and online services over the last 15 years, have highlighted the need to achieve maximum value of use of the space as a key community and District-owned asset.

Funding Source:
The $700,000 funding for this project is through the provincial Tourism Dependent Communities Fund.

Project Details:
The Squamish Adventure Centre project includes a visioning process to define a future operating model for the centre, a business planning process and physical upgrades to the centre.  The project is being supported by an advisory task force consisting of representatives from Tourism Squamish, the Squamish Chamber of Squamish and District of Squamish staff.  As per funding requirements, upgrades to the centre must begin by December 31, 2021 and be completed on or before March 31, 2024.

FAQs

When will construction begin?
Construction will begin on Monday, February 27, 2023.  

How long will the Squamish Adventure Centre be closed? 
The Squamish Adventure Centre will be closed for approximately two months beginning Friday, February 24 while renovations are underway. 

How is the project being funded? 
The District of Squamish received $700,000 in Tourism Dependent Community Fund (TDCF) from the Province of B.C. for the revitalization of the Squamish Adventure Centre, part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan. This project is fully funded by the TDCF. 

What will the project entail? 
The project will bring physical improvements to the Squamish Adventure Centre to improve the visitor experience and economic viability of the building: 

• Immersive Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Story tourism experience aimed at inspiring a new generation of travellers to Squamish. 
• Theatre improvements to increase flexibility and modernize the space for meetings, trainings and events. 

 Will Tourism Squamish be operating during the building closure? Tourism Squamish will continue to provide interim visitor services during the building closure. For more information visit exploresquamish.com. 

A trailer will be located in the gravel parking lot directly across the building to offer visitor servicing and a small selection of Squamish Store merchandise. The temporary hours of operation during the closure will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.  

In addition to the in-person visitor servicing trailer, Tourism Squamish will continue to service visitors through an online chat available at exploresquamish.com and by phone at 604.815.5084.  

Will there be access to public restrooms? 
Yes. Temporary restroom facilities will be located beside the trailer and available during visitor centre hours.  

Will Squamish Connector and Skylynx service be impacted? 
No. There will be no interruptions to service during construction.  

The project is guided by a set of eleven principles endorsed by Council in November 2020. 

1. Revitalize the building as a tourism-oriented asset
2. Strive to achieve ongoing building operations which are cost-neutral or profit generating
3. Strive for highest community benefit by supporting longer visitor stays and repeat visitation to increase local tourism revenue
4. Convey the Squamish Brand Promise
5. Align to District of Squamish and Tourism Squamish Society strategic guiding documents
6. Facilitate Squamish Nation’s participation in the re-visioning of building and its operations
7. Review existing tenancy agreements
8. Consider accessibility, diversity and inclusion, by incorporating the Seven Principles of Universal Design
9. Within scope, retrofit building to maximize energy efficiency, reduce emissions and minimize associated environmental impacts
10. Showcase the Adventure Centre as a Wood-First building providing climate benefits through its embodied carbon construction
11. Consider connection to adjacent public space and infrastructure

Task Force Members:

Kirby Brown, Board Member, Tourism Squamish

Toran Savjord, Board Member, Tourism Squamish

Lesley Weeks, Executive Director, Tourism Squamish

Nolan Rivers, Board Member, Squamish Chamber of Commerce

Catherine Webster, Board Member, Squamish Chamber of Commerce

Louise Walker, Executive Director, Squamish Chamber of Commerce

Kate Mulligan, Economic Development Officer, District of Squamish

Neil Plumb, Manager of Real Estate, District of Squamish

Kal Bragg, Director of Facilities and Planning, District of Squamish

About the Squamish Adventure Centre

Built in 2006, the Squamish Adventure Centre is Squamish’s only purpose-built visitor centre. Known for its unique architectural design, the District of Squamish-owned venue welcomes thousands of patrons each year and contributes to the local economy as a visitor service centre, location for business meetings, training and events, and community meeting space. The Squamish Adventure Centre has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors through its doors, recording 200K guests in 2019.

Background Information:

• Council Presentation
• Detailed Plan and Conceptual Drawings
• Key Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes
• Adventure Centre Revitalization Principles
• Tourism Dependent Community Fund - report to Council