Real Estate and Facilities Master Plan

Council endorsed the District of Squamish Real Estate and Facilities Strategy (REFS) in the spring of 2018. The REFS identifies that many of the District’s facilities may require the replacement or upgrade/expansion in order to meet the community’s current and long-term needs, as many are reaching end of life, have reached maximum capacity, and are insufficient for a rapidly growing community. An investment in excess of $100m has been identified for facilities in need of such replacement or upgrade/expansion. 

In order to support the decision making that lies ahead, the REFS identifies strategic principles and an implementation approach aimed at minimizing the upcoming investment into facilities and land and to ensure the District is providing the necessary services to the community in a fiscally responsible manner over the next 25 years.

In July 2019, Council endorsed the District of Squamish Real Estate and Facilities Master Plan (REFMP), which was the next step identified by the REFS.

The REFMP identifies:

• “What” facilities and land investments need to be made;
• “When” those investments are recommended to be made and;
• “How” much funding exists to support these investments. 

Timeline:

• Fall 2019: Findings from REFMP will be incorporated into Long-Term Financial Plan and Annual Budget process.
• July 2019: Council adopted the Real Estate and Facilities Master Plan (REFMP).
• Spring 2019: Community and partner engagement - Two Requests of Expressions of Interest were issued (1) Seeking innovative funding and partnering proposals for Brennan Park lands;(2) Testing the waters to see what level of interest there may be in the District-owned properties in the Business Park. This land could be sold or leased to fund future investments in facilities.
• Fall 2018: Community Engagement for Brennan Park.
• April 2018: Council adopted the Real Estate and Facilities Strategy (REFS). 

What's Next?

The District will commence an unprecedented period of facility analysis, design and construction.The District will require in‐house project management resources immediately to support this process. These activities are anticipated to be focused throughout the next three years and beyond as follows:

The REFMP included funding illustrations to support future decision making which will require updating to reflect the many external factors impacting the District’s ability to fund future investments including:

• market values of District Dispositions;
• contributions from development;
• other financial challenges the District may face;
• external funding availability/timing;
• partnerships reached for facility delivery; and
• escalations in construction costs.

Background:

The District manages a portfolio of approximately 1,400 acres of real estate, 18 facilities (200,000 square feet) and over 100 tenants, to provide a range of services to the community. District facilities include Municipal Hall, Squamish Public Library, Tantalus Fire Hall, Valleycliffe Fire Hall, Squamish RCMP, District of Squamish Public Works yards, The 55 Activity Centre, Brennan Park Recreation Centre and public parks. 

Resources:

• Real Estate and Facilities Strategy
• Real Estate and Facilities Master Plan
• Squamish Public Library Future Needs Assessment