End of an era but hope for the future Squamish ocean front

[Jennifer]

There was a great group who came out to Nexan yesterday and celebrated the end of an era. They had access to the point, as well as to the beach where some kites could launch. It was a fun day with windsurfers, wings, foilers and kites all sailing to the background of the live music.

There is a lot of hope I think for the future of the beach. We talked to the developers who clarified the current plan has a turn around point for gear drop off behind the hotel and then there's a walk way 30 m long to the windsports beach. Then a grassy rigging area above the beach. There's going to be 300 underground parking spaces. Then there's also street parking × 65 spots that's about 100m walk away from the windsports beach.

The area will be closed for about a year while they move around all the land to make the new beaches. They have plans to keep things open for windsport users whenever possible. I.e once the beaches are completed they will be making a temporary parking lot where the future buildings will go. Then over time the buildings will be developed. The first building to be developed will be a brewery. So maybe not 2022 but summer 2023 were hopefully looking at a new sandy beach, a big parking lot and a brewery. Slowly the rest will evolve and eventually parking underground and walking our gear to the beach but nothing harder than what we currently do at the spit .

I'll also miss the old beach but optimistic that not all the change will be bad and hopefully lead to a new safer and easier launch so more people can learn!

[Shan]

This summary is very much appreciated. Thanks Jen.

[Brian C]

Thanks for the summary Jen. I look forward to making the most of the future sailing opportunities at the (to be named) new beach! Now let’s hope and continue to advocate for retaining access to the river mouth too!! The windsports community is way too large to squeeze into any one location.

[Ryan]

It's called Sp’akw’us Feather Park

https://www.squamishchief.com/local-new ... rk-4227825

[telus022420]

What would be the space requirement be for the park?

It would be a nightmare to rig/land/launch. Even with Spit process transfered over.

Some needed things. Electric pump for kites. Steel cable to tie windsurf rigs to. Storage space for personal items, signs detailing when/ where to launch. Will there be a swim/lifeguard area.

Will the District of Squamish approve land use? Image what 40 rigs on the beach will look like. Will the general public complain!

Image having 5 to 10 SUP near the beach on the water enjoying a paddle. How would one launch/ land? There will be water sport users at all level of skill.

Sandy beach, a hose will be needed.

Operationally it will be rig in your suit and launch immediately, sail, land and de-rig immediately/ load vehicle. No gear/rig/board will be allowed on the beach. Basically one session.

How big is the drop off area. How long to drop off gear. How long will a user have to wait in line to drop off? Would you be waiting in line with day users unpacking their beach gear for a BBQ?

[JonathanP]

The current shown plan is for two separate beaches, one gravel shore at the southeast tip for wind sports, another father west sandy beach for swim/etc. Apparently 300 underground parking stalls will be in reasonable walking distance. The beach should be plenty large enough to accommodate the previously typical Nexen crowds. With the spit gone and commercial nearby that could change. Few details on the turnaround situation, but potentially better than driving 15 min down the bumpy spit road, but not as nice as rigging right at your vehicle at the old Nexen.

[arg]

Hey everyone who's been putting in time advocating for a wind-user beach in the downtown Squamish area, replacing Nexan, big thank you. Keep plugging'.

Not sure if this issue has been discussed with the developers as per location of the wind-user beach, but elsewhere in the world whenever condos have been put in the proximal wind quality really degraded. Try to advocate for a location for the beach that is furthest away and furthest west from the planned new structures. Cheers.

[Ryan]

The plans are pretty much set now.

The wind sports beach is the one to the East.

Oceanfront-Aerial-Rendering-Master-Plan-Community-Sea-to-Sky.jpg (1.48 MiB) Viewed 7056 times

Someone from the developer we spoke to mentioned that the South East most point may be hard to create since the water is quite deep there.

https://oceanfrontsquamish.com/community/