FIGHT READY
Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels is in great shape for a fight and for life
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
AGE 12
Get creative and collaborate PAGE 14
NEW ART GYM IN TOWN
LOCAL PARKS SEE HIGH TRAFFIC, DATA CONFIRMS
Outdoor Recreation Council of BC says parks need more funding
LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@wplpmedia.com
BC Parks’ interim use data for 2024 was recently released, and if you’re wondering how each of the 22 Sea to Sky B.C. parks stacks up against each other, we’ve charted the data so you can plan your visits accordingly.
The interim report provides visitation data from April to September 2024, and the full report is slated for the summer of 2025
Parks collects visitation data from trail counters, reservations, visitor counts and surveys. The data informs resource allocation, future planning, interest and visitor impact, according to their website.
HAPPY CAMPERS
Anyone who visits Alice Lake for the day or to camp can attest to its popularity The lakeside campground and day-use site has ample trails, lots of shade and a cool lake with old logs and docks to rest on while swimming Campers can access shower facilities and pit toilets are onsite But easy access also means high
CAMPERS: Continued on 2
WILD SQUAMISH: Tim Cyr spotted this bobcat in the Upper Squamish Valley on the morning of Feb. 12
CAMPERS: Continued from 1
traffic. Day use last year reached more than 392,000 visitors, behind only Stawamus Chief Park (454,870), Porteau Cove Park (454,759) and Shannon Falls Park (412,542).
On hot summer days, vehicles frequently overflow the Alice Lake parking lot and wind down the road. With more than 60,000 campers last summer, securing a campsite on short notice is near impossible. BC Parks’ web page notes visitors “are strongly advised to make a reservation well in advance of any stay at this park planned for July, August, or September. The park is usually full even on weekdays, with little turnover of campsites in the morning.” Campsite fees from Alice Lake generated $631,070 last year
Those willing to work a bit harder to experience the natural wonders in the Sea to Sky can appreciate Garibaldi Park if they secure a day-use pass during the summer Located 64 km north of Vancouver, the 195,000-hectare park has 90 km of hiking trails and is used year-round With dense forests, alpine meadows and lakes, opportunities for recreation abound, from climbing, biking, swimming and fishing to canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing and backcountry touring.
Garibaldi has 10 backcountry campsites to choose from that require a reservation, and three shelters. Elfin Lakes hut can sleep 33 people, Kees and Claire Memorial Hut is independently operated by the Spearhead Huts Society, and there is an emergency shelter at Wedgemount Lake
Camper at Alice Lake Provincial Park
Wilderness camping is an option for mountaineers, climbers, ski-tourers and experienced individuals. There are no garbage facilities, so everything packed in must be packed out.
More than 125,000 people hit up the park for day use last summer, while user fees totalled $401,338 and 43,276 people camped, according to BC Parks—second only to Alice Lake in the Sea to Sky.
Third place for most campsite visitation in the Sea to Sky is Porteau Cove. With oceanfront campsites on the glimmering Howe Sound, the park is popular with scuba divers, windsurfers, marine conservationists, kayakers, canoeists and stargazers Located 20 km south of Squamish, camping
is available year-round
BC Parks’ interim report shows 34,154 campers stayed at Porteau, which raked in $296,875 in park fees Combining both camping and day-use visitors, the park had the highest overall visitation in the Sea to Sky, at 488,892
JOFFRE VISITATION DECLINING
When comparing the 2024 interim data to reporting from 2023, Instagram-famous Joffre Lakes appears to have seen a 60% decline in day-use visitation. In 2023, the park had 149,993 day visits In 2024, that number fell to 59,605 Camping declined from 4,592 in 2023 to 3,805 in 2,024, a 17-per-cent decrease However,
since the interim data from 2024 does not encompass the full fiscal year, Parks said it’s too early to say there’s been a definitive decline for 2024
Reducing visitation stress on Joffre Lakes is a goal of BC Parks and the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua Nations, whose traditional territory includes the park BC Parks, Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua partnered to close the park down for three periods last summer, and a park pass system started in 2021.
Indigenous cultural celebrations and practices took place during the closures.
BC Parks and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) said in an emailed statement the strategy has led to a 25-per-cent reduction in visitors from between 2019 and 2022, “reflecting the objective of the pass to reduce overuse at this park.”
INVESTMENT ‘FALLING BEHIND’
Louise Pedersen, executive director for the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, said the data confirms what Sea to Sky communities observe.
“The latest BC Parks Visitor Attendance Reports (2018-2024 & 2024-2025 Interim) confirm what recreation groups and local communities have been experiencing first-hand—our parks are busier than ever, and investment in developing and maintaining recreation infrastructure is falling behind,” she said in an emailed statement.
Pedersen highlighted that attendance from BC Parks increased by 4.2% between 2018 and 2024 in the South Coast region,
with the Sea to Sky having some of the highest visitation
“The 2024-25 interim report highlights that Garibaldi, Alice Lake, and Brandywine Falls alone welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors in just six months,” she said
But growth doesn’t come without challenges She pointed to overcrowded trailheads, overflowing parking lots and parks operating at or beyond capacity, negatively impacting visitors.
“To keep up with this growing interest in outdoor recreation, B.C. needs to invest in upgrading and expanding recreation infrastructure, including more parking and improved trail access to reduce bottlenecks at popular destinations, more campsites and facilities to meet increasing demand for overnight stays, and ongoing support for recreation groups and communities that play a key role in maintaining trails and public access,” she said
BC Parks and the MOE said in an email the budget for this fiscal year is $62.908 million, and did not provide a statement regarding whether the budget is big enough
“The amount of funding a park receives annually is based on a number of factors, including size, location; consideration of natural, cultural, and recreation amenities of the park; as well as the nature and complexity of facilities, and levels of service required to manage facilities and visitation,” they said. “Park funding is dynamic and is impacted by myriad factors including changes in levels of visitation, construction of new facilities, or updates to in park safety requirements.”
PHOTO BY KAREL STIPEK/ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
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Email your news tip or story idea to: jthuncher@squamishchief.com iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
MORE AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING COMING THIS YEAR
A six-storey development with 44 rental units was announced for Finch Place on Feb. 13; 34 of those units to be affordable housing
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
ilemayconway@squamishchief.com
Anew 44-rental-unit apartment with over half the residential space dedicated to affordable housing has been announced for Squamish.
On Feb. 13 Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, Patrick Weiler announced $17.4 million in funding to help build the Artemis development at 39180 Finch Place.
“I’m truly excited to be here to announce a really exciting milestone. It’s because moments like this remind us why we do this work—because everybody in Canada deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,”
Weiler said at a press conference at the Artemis site
“Housing is about having a stable foundation, a place to live, to build a life, raise a family, and plan for the future,” he added. “And Squamish is one of the fastest growing communities in British Columbia—the need for rental housing is especially urgent.
We’ve seen how the housing shortage has affected people here, workers, seniors, families, because when people can’t find a place to live in the communities they work, it puts a strain on businesses, schools and the entire local economy.”
Weiler said that the $17.4 million funding is part of the Apartment Construction Loan Program which provides fully repayable low-interest loans.
THE ARTEMIS
Located at the top of the hill at Finch Drive, the Artemis will be a six-storey building offering a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom units.
Of the 44 rental units, 34 of these new units will be “at least 30% below market prices,” according to Weiler.
One parking spot will be offered per unit, along with bike storage
The project will also feature common amenities such as an outdoor space, balconies, in-suite laundry and a meeting room.
Diamond Head Development president,
Jason Wood said the project was being built with “sustainability and environment in mind.”
“We’re proud to say that this building is coming online in 2025. We’ll also have duplexes and townhouses in 2025 but all these homes will be brought to the people of Squamish this year, so we’re really excited about that,” Wood said at the press conference.
He noted that the project would not have been a viable build without the use of the Affordable Construction Loan Program.
“If I could leave a message, we are in a housing crisis, and until we solve the supply issue—to be able to bring housing to the
market more cost-effectively and more efficiently— we need all levels of government and the private sector to work together to solve this problem.”
Weiler said the new development was more than just housing.
“It’s about hope,” he said.
“It’s about making sure that Squamish remains a thriving, inclusive place where people of all backgrounds can put down roots and build a future. Because where else would you rather be than here?”
For more information on the Finch Drive projects visit the Diamond Head Development website.
PHOTOS BY INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
Left, Diamond Head Development marketing manager Jenna Bowerman, Diamond Head Development
president Jason Wood, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine
Sky Country, Patrick Weiler and Squamish Community Housing Society executive director Sarah Ellis. (Right) The
SEA TO SKY RESIDENTS EMBRACE SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES, SAYS SQUAMISH CAN
Popular Squamish Climate Action Network projects include the Downtown School Farm, the Indigenous Plant Garden and the Sea to Sky Food Hub
WILL JOHNSON news@squamishchief.com
It felt like a pivotal year
According to the Squamish Climate Action Network’s recently released annual report, 2024 was absolutely slam-packed with innovative projects coming to fruition or growing in popularity With successful programs like the Downtown School Farm, the Indigenous Plant Garden and the Sea to Sky food hub keeping everyone busy, the Sea to Sky community is increasingly embracing sustainable food security initiatives.
Part of that stems from a growing awareness of how vulnerable humans are to the effects of climate change. Executive director Krystle tenBrink believes Squamish residents are beginning to feel a sense of urgency and are taking action.
“The pandemic ironically didn’t slow us down. If anything, it brought more awareness to how broken our food systems are and the need for more place-based regional food systems. More and more people want to support something like that, and strengthen the food
THE LITTLE FARM STAND THAT COULD
The Downtown School Farm had recordbreaking profits in 2024
Operating one or two times per week from May through November, this small business was able to overcome challenges it faced in previous years to rake in $70,000.
Funded through the Sea to Sky School District, it attracted approximately 80 families a week Through a pilot project, they provided 30 low-income families a vegetable box with a value of $30 for 22 weeks, plus another 20 families a box for 14 weeks.
“One of the things that sticks out to me is we’re not just changing the landscape or how food and people connect, we’re also a model for other schools and communities that can do it in their own towns. We work with other communities across the province and beyond,” said tenBrink.
“We’re actively working with a school district outside Prince George, supporting them getting their school farm up and running.”
TAKING THE TIME
It took some time, but it was worth it.
systems within our own community,” she told The Squamish Chief.
“We’ve seen an influx of new faces, and the demand for our services is huge.”
Every new climate disaster drives home the stakes of the work they’re doing.
“We’re seeing how strengthening regional food systems makes us strong in light of future rock slides, pandemics, emergencies and other climate-related events It’s been interesting to see a synergy between strengthening our food systems and emergency planning for the future.”
In 2024, Squamish CAN embarked on a project to create an Indigenous garden It is intended as a space for all students and community members to relax, reflect and connect with Indigenous plants, while learning the cultural significance and pronunciation of them in the Sḵwxwú7mesh language
The garden was constructed last spring, and then Jasmine Baker (Długwala) provided translations and audio to support the learning and interactivity of the signage featured on our website and in-situ at the garden
Local artist and teacher Sarah Keller was then
time
SEEDY SATURDAY ABOUT TO BLOSSOM
Are you ready to get into the spring season and unleash your inner green thumb?
Well good news has sprouted, with the Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) announcing their Seedy Saturday free event.
On March 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., prospective gardeners can head to Howe Sound Secondary School to learn all about seeds, seed-saving and CAN’s seed library. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own seeds to share or swap with others, growing connections and future plants at the same
Seeds and natural products from local and regional seed companies will also be available to purchase on the day.
For anyone with questions about plants, a master gardener will also be on-site to answer any queries.
According to the Squamish CAN website, there will be “complimentary snacks, tea and coffee” throughout the event as well as “fun activities for kids.”
Folks are also being asked to bring a reusable mug to help keep the event low waste.
For more information about Seedy Saturday, visit the Squamish CAN website.
PHOTO BY NINA LAFLAMME PHOTOGRAPHY
The Downtown School Farm had record-breaking profits in 2024
SQUAMISH CAN: Continued on 5
commissioned to develop illustrations of the plants based in the garden, which became the basis for the signage.
According to the report, decolonizing climate action is a priority for Squamish CAN, and they have committed to integrating Indigenous wisdom and traditions into their work
“We recognize that climate change is rooted in colonial structures and practices. The negative impacts of climate change are borne disproportionately by Indigenous communities, and our organization is influenced by colonial practices,” it reads.
That’s why the garden is such an important step
“This was a really beautiful process and story that came together over a long period of time While we were working on it we really wanted to take our time,” tenBrink said
“We had Squamish Nation Elders, teachers from Howe Sound and other leadership, plus so many students and really wonderful people as part of this project. We’re excited to have our spring opening in 2025, when we’ll invite everyone to experience it for themselves.”
SECURING THE FUTURE
Squamish CAN has also been busy expanding its operations.
Their latest acquisition is a half-acre community farm on Raven Drive, which is set to open in 2026. Meanwhile, they’ve been fundraising to continue support for the Squamish-Lillooet Food Hub project, which has
If anything, it brought more awareness to how broken our food systems are and the need for more placebased regional food systems.
KRYSTLE TENBRINK
raised $55,000—paving the way to provide support for regional farmers and agri-food producers.
The report further details their work creating edible gardens at schools and hosting events such as their repair cafes, which drew over 1,000 attendees and facilitated the repair and swapping of hundreds of items.
“I feel we’ve been incredibly successful over the past year, and we may even take on too much at times. We’re learning how to balance that by being more strategic. We have a fantastic team of staff and volunteers and board members who are instrumental,” tenBrink said.
“They allow the organization to thrive, not just as a whole, but as each individual entity.”
To get involved, sign up for Squamish CAN’s monthly newsletter. Read the full annual report here.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF DOUSED: Squamish Fire Rescue put out a fire in what appears to be an abandoned house on Government Road between Mamquam Road and Garibaldi Way on Sunday night.
JOIN FLY IT FORWARD EVENT: EMPOWERING WOMEN IN AVIATION ON MARCH 8
The annual Fly it Forward event offers free flights to women and girls as part of Women of Aviation Worldwide Week
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Time flies, especially for women and girls in Squamish at this annual free event.
Mark your calendars; as they do every year, the folks behind Glacier Air will be celebrating Women of Aviation World Wide Week with a Fly it Forward event on March 8, which is also International Women’s Day.
The event celebrates the issuing of the world’s first pilot licence to a female, France’s Raymonde de Laroche, on March 8, 1910
Glacier Air is owned by Colette Morin, who is also the chief pilot, a certified flight instructor (CFI) and operations manager.
Each year, Glacier Air holds this event, offering free flights for girls and women who have never flown in a small aircraft before.
(Email iwoawGAir99s@gmail.com with your name, age, weight and phone number to fly. The event is weather-dependent, and space is limited.)
“This global event celebrates the accomplishments of women in the aviation industry and is intended to promote aviation awareness and introduce career opportunities for girls and women in the industry,” reads a news release
We are excited to work with the community to give the gift of flying for free to women and girls who have never been in a small aircraft before!
from Glacier Air.
“We are excited to work with the community to give the gift of flying for free to women and girls who have never been in a small aircraft before!”
In addition to the flights, there’s a meet and greet with pilots as well as speakers to learn from (There’s usually an epic cake, too.)
Canadian women earned 12% of all pilot licences issued in 2023, according to the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide (iWOAW).
From 2010 to 2023, the number of pilot licences issued to women grew by 79% in the commercial sector and 58% overall, iWOAW says.
FILE PHOTO BY EMILY STAMPER/FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Young women at a previous Glacier Air Fly it Forward event.
PHOTOS BY WILLIAM GOVENLOCK
VALENTINE’S BLAZE: A fire, which started at about 8:45
nearby got other vehicle residents away from the fire and Squamish Fire Rescue crews arrived in minutes to extinguish it
NoticeofPool Closure
As partofarecentsafetyinspection, slip-resistancetestingwas carried out at Brennan Park Recreation Centre pool by an independent third party on February 11,under the direction of Vancouver Coastal Health.
As the reportindicatedthatthe tiles did not meet the required anti-slip standards forwet surfaces required by the BC Public Health ActPool Regulation,VCH ordered an immediate closure.
We estimate the closurecould be in placefor aminimumoffour weeks,however it could extend further depending on the nature of corrective actions required and VCH approval process.
Any10and 20 visit passes due to expireduring the closurewillbeextended Monthly pass holders will also receiveanextensionthrough the closure. Staff will cancel and refund all registeredaquatic programs and rentals.Refundswill automatically be issued this week.
Thank youfor your patiencewhile we work to re-open the pool as quickly as possible.Wewill continue to keep the community updated. squamish.ca/rec/pool
Join us fora Webinar on DCCs &ACCs
What aretheyand whydotheymatter?
The public is invited to join one of twoDistrictwebinars on DevelopmentCost Charges (DCCs) and an introduction to Amenity Cost Contributions (ACCs) to learnmoreabout whatDCC and ACC ratesare,how they arecalculated, whatthey areusedfor and why. Thewebinar willbegin with apresentation followedby an opportunityfor questions anddiscussion.
Webinar 1
Wednesday, February26, 6–7 pm
Webinar 2
Thursday, February27, 12–1 pm
WHAT’SHAPPENING IN RECREATION AND CULTURE
Stay activethis winter! Join Cindy foralimited series of low-intensityfitness classes at The55Centre! Drop-ins welcome
Arena schedule: squamish.ca/rec/ arenaschedule
Business Opportunities
• Bill’s PlaceWatermain &PRV:ClassBCost Estimate Request forQuotations
• Powerhouse Springs Chlorination Chamber Request forQuotations
• Operation of Pedestrian Drawbridge Over Mamquam Tidal Channel Request forInformation squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district
DevelopmentReview
• LotE–Ross Road
Zoning Amendment
• 40782 PerthDrive
DevelopmentVariancePermit squamish.ca/review
ShiftintoWinter
Drivers need to preparefor the possibility of changing road and weather conditions,and adapt. shiftintowinter.ca
Learnmoreabout the DCCand ACCupdatesand findaccess to the webinar at squamish.ca/dcc-acc-2025 Next Flower Bouquet Workshop is March13 Signupearly.This is apopular one!
for details: squamish.ca/rec
ALL STAR WRESTLING RETURNS TO TOWN ON FEB. 22
Family-friendly fun with live matches at Totem Hall
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
It is a different kind of local family fun.
All Star Wrestling (ASW) is returning to Squamish for the first time since 2018
The “Fight for Your Right” show at Totem Hall is set for Saturday, Feb. 22
“Folks can expect a family-friendly environment You’re going to have the classic bad guy versus good guy and just a lot of fun,” said ASW veteran wrestler Azeem The Dream, whose real name is Azeem Mohammed.
The main event is the “mysterious and ethereal” Thelonious Jovinius Harlequin taking on one of the West Coast Heavies, Matt Bronson. Squamish’s own ‘TKO’ Cody Smith will be there, too.
Two First Nation wrestlers, whose show names are Red Duff and Johnny Barlow, will be making their ASW debut at the event as well.
The two were trained by Mohammed, who will bring his proud American alter-ego, which he has been playing for about a decade of his more than two-decade-long wrestling career. This is an interesting time to be getting in the
ring as a U.S. character, he acknowledges, adding while he personally may have issues with U.S. President Donald Trump, his character is “happy he’s back.”
Thankyou to the Fulmerfamily andour supporters
Yourgenerosity is shaping thefutureofearly childhood education.
“I’m the White House’s favourite American wrestler. There’s no one else that comes close to me,” he said, in character.
For anyone who has never been to one of these
Weare excited to announcethe Fulmer Family Centre for Childhood Studies, madepossible by a$2-million giftfrom Chancellor Yuri Fulmer andhis family, alongwithsupportfromthe province and generous donorsfromacrossthe country opening in Spring 2025.
TheFulmer FamilyCentrefor Childhood Studies will:
•Add 20 practicum spotsfor Early ChildhoodCare& Educationstudents.
•Create74childcarespaces forfamilies.
• Feature WesternCanada’sonlyEarly Childhood Care& Education labschool and research hub.
Weare excited forthis state-of-the-art spacewhereresearch,studentsand children can thrive.
wrestling shows, it is very interactive.
“What makes it fun to come into an All Star Wrestling show is you’re going to expect the unexpected. People can either boo or cheer, whoever they want,” Mohammed said
“Now, unfortunately for me, I’ve never been cheered before, and that’s just ignorance on the part of Canada I mean, when I go across the border to the U.S., people love me They roll out the red carpet and everything,” he said, again, in character.
All Star Wrestling has been around since the 70s, with the late U.S. professional wrestler Road Warrior Hawk, Tommy Dreamer, Canadian wrestler Jinder Mahal and even Andre the Giant, among many others, performing on the All Star circuit, Mohammed said.
“We’ve had all sorts of names,” he said.
“We’re the next generation that’s carrying on the All Star name, and, hopefully, we keep this going for the next generation,” he said.
Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Show at 1 p.m.
Totem Hall 1380 Stawamus Rd.
Tickets (not including fees) are:
• $15 for children 12 and under.
• General admission is $25 per adult.
• Front row is $35 per person. Go to www.vtixonline.com for tickets; search “All Star Wrestling.”
PHOTO (LEFT) SUBMITTED; RIGHT FILE PHOTO THE SQUAMISH CHIEF STAFF
Azeem Mohammed says his American character isn’t typically cheered in Canada
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EDITORIAL
KEEP OURHUMANITY
The patrioticwavesweepingCanadaisabreath of freshair from thedivisionoverthe country andour flag of recent years.
It is awesometosee SeatoSky shopsand grocery stores highlighting theirCanadian-made products. Go,Canada!
Butyou don’thavetoscratch toodeepbelow the surfacetosee some of that olduglydivisionjust underneath.
In Squamish,itisstartingtofeelabit like thefirst yearofthe pandemic when folksbegan to turn on each other.
With thetariffthreatlooming,and talk of annexation, Canadiansare booing U.S. hockey teams. Frankly, this seems sillygiven only 28.5%of playersin theNHL arefromthe U.S.
Closer to home,localsare attackingeachother online more ferventlythanusual over theactions of PresidentDonaldTrump.
Whileanger over tariffsand annexation threatsis sure to causeemotional outbursts, we must separate our feelings foragovernmentfromits people.
This seemslikeverybasic stuff, butone that humans struggle with.
On apractical level, painting allAmericans with the brushoftheir government is notveryneighbourly andisbad business.
Accordingto StatsCan, in 2021,atleast 340ofus living in Squamish areimmigrantsfromthe U.S.,the thirdmostcommonplace of origin afterthe United Kingdom andIndia.
Squamish Nation members, andCoast Salish peoples, have strong ties across ourborders.
And, of course,weare atowndependent on tourism. U.S. visitors areaneconomicdriverfor our community.
TARIFFSCOULD SHAKEUPREALESTATE
market,the most likely scenario involves atemporary declineinhousing activity followed by astrong recovery as theBankofCanadarespondstoaseverely injuredCanadianeconomyand mortgage rates plummet.”
TheSquamishChief is amemberof theNationalNewsmedia Council, whichisanindependent organization establishedtodealwithacceptable journalistic practicesand ethical behaviour. If youhaveconcerns abouteditorial content, please contactEditorJenniferThuncherat jthuncher@squamishchief.com. If you are notsatisfied with theresponse andwishtofilea formal complaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free1-844-877-1163for additional information
Reproduction of anymaterial containedinthispublicationis expresslyforbiddenwithoutthe prior writtenconsent of thepublisher.
Airbnb statsshowthat, not surprisingly,many visitors from theU.S.stayin town.
Themountainbikingcommunity hasalsolong notedour trails’ draw forU.S.riders.
Beyond beingbad forbusinessand social—and recreation—relations,vitriol toward ourneighbours tothe southcan be dangerous.
Politicalascription—when people areequated with theirgovernment— is unfortunately common
Thinkofhow Japanese Canadiansweretreated as if they were proxiesfor theirgovernment’sactions in theSecondWorld War.
Beginning in early1942, theCanadiangovernment detained anddispossessedmorethan90% of Japanese Canadians.
Theseare unprecedentedtimes andmany Canadian residentsare confused andevenangry.
Defiance in thefaceofannexationthreats is understandable.Patriotismiswelcome.But it is in timeslikethese we need to hold most tightlytoour humanity.
Afterall,on ourbestdays, politeness and compassion arewhatdefineusasCanadians.
Let’sholdontothemastightly as ourflag.
Ifthere’s onethingthatcan send shockwaves throughanalready turbulenthousing market,it’sa full-blown tariff war. AndwithrecentU.S.trade policies throwing yet anotherwrenchintoCanada’s economic machinery, B.C.’s real estate market is staringdownascenariothat’sequal partsfrustrating, unnecessary andentirelyavoidable
AccordingtoBrendon Ogmundson, chiefeconomist of theBCREA,tariffs arenothing shortof“economic self-sabotage.”
He explains:“Ultimately,the storyoftariffs is oneof economic self-sabotagewitha litany of unintended consequences —risingcosts,diminishedcompetitiveness andweakenedtieswithcriticaltrading partners ForCanadaand theU.S., erstwhilealliesinadeeply integrated NorthAmericaneconomy,suchmeasures arealose-lose proposition. BritishColumbia, with its relatively diversifiedtrade portfolio, mayweather the stormbetterthanother provincesmorereliant on U.S. markets.”
If that allsoundsfamiliar, it’s becausewe’ve been here before.
AccordingtoOgmundson:“Thescars left on the province’s forestry sector by earliertrade skirmishes serve as asoberingreminderthatevenpartial insulation offers limitedreprieve. Forthe B.C. housing
Housing affordabilityisalready on life supportand tariffscould deliverthe next gutpunch.Why?Because tariffsonimportedbuildingmaterials (think lumber, steeland aluminum)pushupconstructioncosts, squeezingsupplyjustwhenweneeditmost. That means:
•New housingprojectsdelayed or scrapped dueto higher material costs.
•Developerspassing costsontobuyers—becauselet’s be real,they’re noteatingthe difference •Renovations andsecondary suiteconstruction slowingdown, limitingmuch-needed rental supply
In short, tariffsdon’t just impact trade—they bloat costsatevery levelofthe housingsupplychain Butlet’s breakthisdownfurther—whatdoesthis mean forB.C.’salready strained housingmarket?
Developers facing higher costsmay re-think project timelinesorevencancelbuildsoutright, leadingto fewernew homes hittingthe market.Given that B.C. is alreadydealing with aseverehousing shortage,this will furtherreducesupplyand keep prices elevated. Buyers lookingfor pre-sale unitsmay find fewer optionsavailable,orworse,projectsput on hold indefinitely as builders wait formaterialcosts to stabilize.
Meanwhile, theimpactdoesn’t stop at newbuilds.
PROVINCIAL: Continuedon11
PROVINCIAL VIEWS ERIN BEST
Ha7lh skwálwen cht kwis emút cht iy sts’its’áp’ cht iy kw’shétsut cht na7tkwa temíxw tl’a Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw
(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)
PROVINCIAL: Continued from 10
Homeowners looking to renovate or build secondary suites to increase rental supply will also feel the pinch. If lumber and steel prices soar, so do the costs of basement suites, laneway homes and multi-unit conversions. This means fewer rental units coming onto the market, further exacerbating BC’s rental crisis
The Bank of Canada’s silver lining?
Here’s where it gets interesting. If the Canadian economy stumbles hard enough, the Bank of Canada could slash interest rates to counteract the damage And while that’s a nightmare scenario for economic growth, it’s a lifeline for B.C. homebuyers desperate for relief from sky-high mortgage rates. Lower borrowing costs could fuel a rapid market rebound, flipping today’s slowdown into tomorrow’s buying frenzy. A cut in interest rates would immediately lower mortgage costs, allowing more buyers to enter the market. For those who’ve been sitting on the sidelines, lower
monthly payments could mean the difference between renting and finally stepping onto the property ladder Investors, too, would likely take advantage of cheaper financing, leading to higher demand and an upward push on home prices While this would be welcome news for sellers, it could also mean a shorter window of affordability before prices start climbing again. The question is: will buyers act fast enough to take advantage of it? What to expect
• Short-term uncertainty: expect a slower housing market in the immediate future as costs rise and consumer confidence wavers With material costs up and borrowing power still constrained, many buyers may pause their home search, waiting for more favourable conditions
• Increased construction costs: builders will pass added expenses down the chain, making new housing less affordable. This could lead to fewer new listings hitting the market, worsening B.C.’s already tight supply. Additionally, pre-sale projects
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WHO TO TRUST?
We received our initial information meeting last year as there were over 10 requests to council/ planners (the minimum amount needed) to hold an info meeting with District planners and the developers About 50 people were there. Every Dentville resident there was heavily opposed to a gigantic condo building in the middle of this quite charismatic community.
Now on the flip side, every resident there strongly agreed that there needed to be a better use of space and more houses on the property
From here it went to the council where they wanted more information from the developer on some of their ideas for their land, there was a requested design change for the setback from the neighbouring property from one metre to three meters, raising the garage to accommodate trucks and SUVs
Another large concern was shade and shadows; we had asked to do a shadow study, which has not been conducted.
The muni said that there would be a community engagement piece as well as another information meeting for the residents of Dentville. This, I thought, was
LETTERS POLICY
great news. Perhaps we can get them to use the R-1 zoning to build six to eight houses from the current two on this property, rather than rezoning for a disgusting cookie-cutter-looking condo.
On Jan. 23rd an email was sent to whom I am unaware (and certainly not enough residents received this email) No letter was dropped on anyone’s doorstep by the District; no effort was made by planners to even show the slightest hint that they cared about tax-paying residents, instead, this shows a total lack of respect for the community and all of us that have been writing to council/planners for more info and to have this project not zoned.
Furthermore, there was an invite sent to residents with only days’ notice to attend a virtual one-hour session held by the District Planners to go over the development, in the middle of the work day and only six days notice?
Now, I have previously stated this to both
The Squamish Chief and District Planners: it seems as though they have no idea how to properly plan out a neighbourhood that is as rich in character and charm as Dentville.
So, they rely on big developers to ruin the community with buildings that will
could face delays or cancellations, leaving buyers with fewer options.
• Potential rate cuts: the Bank of Canada could step in with lower interest rates, triggering a strong market recovery later on. However, the impact won’t be immediate historically, rate cuts take months to filter through the housing market Buyers and investors who are prepared to act quickly when rates drop could gain a serious advantage before competition intensifies.
Tariffs are a zero-sum game and history proves they do more economic damage than good For B.C. real estate, the only certainty is more volatility—a turbulent stretch ahead before the market finds its footing again.
The question is: will policymakers course-correct before the damage is done? Or are we in for another round of economic self-sabotage? Time will tell, but that is a 30-day ticking time bomb.
Erin Best is REW’s director of real estate and industry engagement.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
How much have you been impacted by the Brennan Park Pool closure?
Have your say at squamishchief.com
maximize their profits with two large townhouse buildings rather than six stand-alone houses with carriage homes on the property, much like the majority of Dentville.
Have Squamish planners become only open to the highest bidder of which the municipality would get $1.1 million “cash in lieu” towards upgrades around town? There has seemed to be another poorly planned priority to repair Brennan Park and now it has closed due to unsafe conditions Is Squamish willing to ruin all of its character neighbourhoods to get this “cash in lieu” to fix issues that should have been dealt with years ago?
Who to trust?
Scott List
Squamish
Editor’s note: Asked about how the community was notified about the open house, the District said the following: “As a courtesy, staff emailed the open house details to all those who had previously emailed comments regarding the proposed development. Efforts were also made to reach the community through The Squamish Chief newspaper [ads] (Jan. 23 and 30), social media (including a Facebook event created on Jan. 23) and the District newsletter (Jan. 24).”
The Squamish Chief welcomes letters to the editor of up to 400 words. Letters should be exclusive to this publication and are meant to respond to a local story in The Squamish Chief or raise an issue happening in town Please include your name, neighbourhood and daytime phone number The deadline is 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for Thursday’s edition. Full names and neighbourhood will be published with the letter The publisher reserves the right to refuse and edit letters for length and clarity or to address legal concerns Email letters to: editor@squamishchief.com
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The ‘Squamish premium’: Understanding the costs of building affordable homes MOST READ STORY
TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK
This week, Indigo LemayConway filled herself full of chocolatey goodness to bring you a new Tiktok about the Hot Chocolate Festival Find it and many other videos @squamishchief
MEET THE NEW CLUB IN TOWN, ART GYM
Art Gym is the new place in Squamish for people to gather and practice art and make new friends at the same time
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
Do you ever miss those days in high school when you could walk into an art class with an idea and have all the materials and space to create your vision?
Well, Squamish’s newest art club might be the place for you.
Group founder Katie Hay launched Art Gym in November 2024 to help bring people together who wanted to make art but didn’t have the space or the materials to do so.
“I definitely loved art in school, it was my favourite subject, and it was where I spent all my time,” Hay said.
“When I was leaving school, I was in between [deciding whether] I wanted to become an artist or if I should do something that was going to be more reliable. So I ended up going to architecture, and it’s been great ... but I really missed that creative expression side and in architecture, it’s only a very small part of the job.”
After attending a number of different art classes in Squamish, Hay realized that there wasn’t a place where people could go to simply
practice art.
“I used to go to a lot of life drawing classes, art classes, pottery, you name it ...but I was really struggling to find a space that was low cost, that would allow me to practice my art,” she said.
“I was living in rental apartments with flatmates pretty much my whole 20s and didn’t feel like it was a very conducive place to make art
because you’re sharing with people.
“There’s one dining table that people all want to eat on; the lighting is bad, and you don’t want to make a mess because you’re worried about the floors or furniture.”
THE IDEA
Around five years ago, Hay decided that if there were places in Squamish for people to practice their exercise hobbies, there should be somewhere for artists to practice their medium, too.
“I thought it was weird [that there was no art club in Squamish] because there are sports clubs for people that do sport, and there are choirs for people that sing, and there are gyms for people that work out,” she said
“So that was the whole idea of Art Gym: to create a space where you could collectivize that cost and keep the fees as low as possible.”
Tickets to an Art Gym evening cost $10 per person and covers the cost of the space, materials, and light snacks
“I’ve tried to keep it as low cost as possible because that was a big thing for me As much as I would love to do a six-week oil painting master class, one, I don’t have $400 spare, and two, I actually have a lot of ideas of what I want to create; I just don’t have the materials and space to do it,” Hay said
But the Art Gym is not a place for people to host art classes.
“It’s not meant to be competing with those classes. It’s meant to be complimentary,” Hay said.
“There’s a lot of really amazing art offerings in Squamish, and I’ve tried lots of them, and they’re wonderful, but I get to the end of it, and I’m like, okay, now I want to practice, where can I practice?
“And that’s what this space is meant to be.”
WHAT CAN YOU DO AT ART GYM?
The best part of Art Gym is you can do whatever art form your heart desires.
“It’s for self-guided work, and it’s for practicing, and it’s for learning from each other,” Hay said
“So many people here are all doing such different things, and they all have such different skills. It’s really cool to see people going over to each other and getting advice on how to mix colours or how to use an iPad for drawing and stuff like that.”
On any given evening, group members can be seen doing a variety of different art mediums, from a colouring-in book or paint-by-numbers to carpet making and electrical wiring
“One guy last week brought electrical stuff to do an LED lighting installation in his house,” Hay said
“There’s also some people that are actually wanting to start their own little business, and they’re using the space as a place they can gather with their partner.”
As for what materials they have on offer, most of the basics you would find in a standard art studio are supplied, but members are encouraged to bring their own supplies, too.
Currently, there are tools for lino printing, watercolour pencils, pens, general stationery, paints, canvases, as well as step by step books to help generate inspiration.
Some materials have also been supplied by Squamish Arts to help kickstart the club but Hay plans to put together a list of any additional needed items.
“I want to put it out to the group and get people to write what they ideally would want, and if enough people want it, then we’ll get it,” she said
WHAT ARE THE DETAILS?
Art Gym currently runs every second Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The 55 Activity Centre Hay plans to host the event throughout winter and is still contemplating if she will extend it into summer
The next club sessions are slated for Feb. 27, March 13, and March 27 and can be booked on the Showpass website.
For more information on Art Gym visit their Instagram page
The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news To be considered, please reach out to news@squamishchief.com.
Brought to you by Community Futures Howe Sound, The Sea to Sky’s resource for financing and free business support to help local businesses and entrepreneurs in the area. Connect with them directly and learn more at cfhowesound.com or email Kieran at kieran.hale@cfhowesound.com.
PHOTO BY INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
Left, Art Gym founder Katie Hay; right, some supplies on offer during a session.
LOCAL FIGHTERS PREPARE FOR MUAY THAI SHOWDOWN AT TOTEM HALL
‘We have two female fighters on the card, and that’s really important,’ says organizer Candace Smith
BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Squamish locals can have a front seat to cheer on the homegrown talent at the Squamish Fight Night on March 29
The event is a “sanctioned Muay Thai event” being hosted at Totem Hall
Organized by Roundhouse Martial Arts, the event will feature local and regional fighters in what organizers hope will become “a recurring event.”
For Cole and Candace Smith, partners and co-owners of Roundhouse Martial Arts, this night is a long time coming
“I’ve been in Squamish for 20 years, and when I started training in the sport here, there wasn’t much of a scene for it,” said Cole, a seasoned Mixed Martial Artist with over 30 professional fights to his name and years of experience in Muay Thai (pronounced MOO-ay TIE).
“It took time for it to grow, but now we have local athletes competing, and it only made sense to put on an event here.”
The idea, according to Candace, was to create a platform for Squamish fighters while also introducing the community to a sport that remains relatively unknown in Canada.
“We know there’s interest because people ask about it all the time,” she said.
“There’s never been anything like this in Squamish or the Sea to Sky Corridor We thought, ‘Why wait for someone else to do it when we can make it happen ourselves?’”
‘ART OF EIGHT LIMBS’
Unlike boxing, which involves only punches, or kickboxing, which includes punches and kicks, Muay Thai incorporates punches, kicks, elbows, and knees.
“It’s called the ‘Art of Eight Limbs’ for a reason,” said Cole
“With boxing, you’re looking out for someone’s hands. With kickboxing, you add their feet into the equation With Muay Thai, you have to watch for punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. There’s a lot more to think about.”
While still growing in North America, Muay Thai is deeply ingrained in Thai culture, where children as young as five years old begin competing.
“In Thailand, fighters have 200 to 300 fights in their careers—it’s completely different from here,” Cole said. “The sport is only now starting to get real recognition in Canada, and we want Squamish to be part of that.”
The upcoming local event will be sanctioned by Muaythai BC, which means fighters must adhere to strict amateur competition rules.
“We follow all the traditional regulations, including playing traditional Thai music during the fights,” Candace said. “It’s important that we respect the sport and keep it authentic.”
The fight card will include 10 to 12 matchups featuring fighters of varying experience levels.
“We want the fights to be fair and competitive,” Cole said
“Some fighters are just starting out, while others have five or more fights under their belts. We’re bringing in athletes from other gyms, and since I know the coaches personally, I can make sure the matchups are balanced.”
At the top of the card, the main event bouts will showcase fighters with more experience, competing without shin guards or headgear, per amateur Muay Thai regulations for athletes with five or more fights.
“We’re trying to get as many high-level matchups as we can,” Cole said. “The goal is to have exciting, well-matched fights across the board.”
Among the local athletes competing, Madison Skrypnek will make her MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) debut in Vancouver on Feb. 22 before stepping back into the ring at Fight Night.
Meanwhile, Ayden Collier will fight for a Muay Thai title that same night, making his return to Squamish as a potential champion
“Ayden has only been training with us for a year, and now he’s fighting for a title,” Cole said “It’s a huge opportunity for him, and we’re excited to see what he does.”
A FIGHTER’S PERSPECTIVE
For Skrypnek, the event is a “full-circle moment.”
“It’s a huge deal,” she says “I’ve been in Squamish for six years, and I’ve built a pretty big community here To be able to fight in front of my peers and show them what all this hard work leads to—it means everything.”
Skrypnek’s journey into combat sports started back in Calgary, Alberta, where she trained as a teenager.
After moving to Squamish, she stepped away from martial arts for several years—until a trip to Thailand reignited her passion for Muay Thai.
“I did a class while I was there, and I just fell in love with it all over again,” she recalls. “When I came back to Squamish, Roundhouse had just opened—it felt like the stars aligned. I started training again, and I’ve been obsessed ever since.”
Since returning to the sport, Skrypnek has already fought twice, winning both matches by decision.
For her next challenge—on Feb. 22—she will make her amateur MMA debut in Vancouver, stepping into a cage for the first time
“I think the challenge is what drives me,” she says “Pushing my body and mind to the limits—it’s the hardest thing anyone can do, but that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
Her transition from Muay Thai to MMA has also meant steep learning curves, as she has had to incorporate wrestling and jiu-jitsu into her training
“Muay Thai is all about striking—standing up and throwing punches, kicks, knees, and elbows,” she explains
FUTURE PLANS
When it came to choosing a venue for Squamish Fight Night, options were limited. “Squamish doesn’t have many places that can host an event like this,” Candace said. “Totem Hall was one of the few that could accommodate us, and they were really open to the idea.”
While the first event will focus on Muay Thai, Cole and Candace hope to expand in the future.
“We want to do this two or three times a year,” Candace said. “Eventually, we’d love to introduce boxing and MMA as well, but we’re starting here and seeing where it goes.”
The community response so far has been positive, with many people expressing interest in attending the event or getting involved in the
sport.
“There’s a misconception that Muay Thai is just violence, but it’s a discipline, and it’s incredibly technical. Events like this help change that perception,” Cole said.
For Candace, the event is about more than just fights—it’s also about challenging stereotypes and growing the martial arts scene in Squamish
“We have two female fighters on the card, and that’s really important,” she said
“We want to show that martial arts isn’t just for one type of person You can start from nothing and go far—some of our competitors only started training last year, and now they’re stepping into the ring.”
As they look ahead, the Smiths hope that Squamish Fight Night will become a regular fixture in the local sports scene.
“There’s not a lot going on [in Squamish] unless you’re into outdoor sports. We want to give people something new—something exciting,” Cole said.
Tickets went on sale Feb. 12 on Eventbrite. This is an 18+ event. For more information, visit@roundhousesquamish on Instagram.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative
Please Contact the SPCA
Daisy &Ruby
At approximately 4years old, Daisyisaluxurious Chinchilla rabbitand Ruby is afluffy Lionhead. These twoare social, confident, and full of personality but, like most bunnies, they canbea bit shy at first andmay take some time to warm up to new people. Once they feel comfortable,they’re affectionate and love spending time with their humans!
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROUNDHOUSE MARTIAL ARTS
While still growing in North America, Muay Thai is deeply ingrained in Thai culture.
JAMEY-LYN HORTH WESSELS: ON NEW RECORDS, UFC PLANS AND PERSONAL GOALS
She had a huge year in the UFC in 2024, see what Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels has planned for 2025
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
It was a year of memorable fights for UFC fighter Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels, and while she might have ended 2024 with a loss, the new year is looking a lot more positive
On Dec. 14, Horth Wessels narrowly lost her fight to American pocket rocket Miranda Maverick in Tampa, Florida.
The Squamish flyweight took the card a mere six weeks after her win against German fighter Ivana Petrovic, and she went in hungry for another triumph under her belt
Much like for those watching the fight, Horth Wessels believes either fighter could have come out victorious.
“It was really close; it arguably could have gone either way,” she told The Squamish Chief.
“The fight camp gave me the ability to just focus on the game plan and really just drill techniques to be successful, which was to not let her take me down and hold me down.
Unfortunately, that happened in the third round.
“I stopped eight of the nine takedowns and, unfortunately, didn’t stuff that one or get up as quickly as I probably could have. And that’s kind of what turned the fight the other way. It was that takedown.
“If you think about it, [there was] one
takedown in between me and winning. It was crazy.”
Typically, in the UFC, fighters will have a few months in between fight cards to prepare and get their body into shape, but this time, Horth Wessels opted for back-to-back fights.
“For me, it was kind of a first. I’ve always had a hard time having multiple fights so close
together So I wasn’t sure how my body was going to be, how the weight cut was going to go because there were so many firsts,” she said
“I’ve never had two fights so close together But I feel like it was one of the best sorts of situations all around I was coming out of one fight in Edmonton, not hurt, going into another fight camp, so my engine was pretty primed
“I was in good shape, and it gave me the ability to really just focus on training and be able to adapt and learn something new and work on just technique and skill. So it was kind of really cool to see that play out, and the weight cut was so easy.”
Ultimately, all three judges on the night scored the fight 29-28 in favour of Maverick
Despite the loss, Horth Wessels says a lot of good came out of the experience
“I resigned a new four-fight contract for that fight, so I got job security out of it,” she said
“I got to test myself against somebody in the Top 15, which is huge, being that I’m so, so new to the UFC roster, and I arguably won that fight.
“So a lot of great things came out of it, although we didn’t get the winning result that everybody likes.”
She also reflected on how the loss compared to her only other UFC defeat against Veronica Hardy in December 2023.
“It was just a different feeling than that first loss in December of 2023. I know I didn’t leave anything out in the cage,” she said.
would be too big for the 125-pound division if I added any more muscle mass,” she said
“I would go into muscle atrophy to actually stay in that division if I was to continue to put more muscle on.”
FIGHT PLAN
With her new four-fight contract underway, Horth Wessels hopes to get three more fights under her belt this year
Another goal she’d like to check off the list is fighting someone who is right-handed.
“I’d like to fight somebody that’s not lefthanded That would be pretty cool,” she said with a laugh.
“I’ve fought four girls in a row that are left handed So I mean, chances are that I’m probably going to end up fighting another left handed fighter just because that’s the way it’s gone. But yeah, I mean, maybe fighting somebody in the Orthodox stance would be cool.”
While she doesn’t have a fight locked in at this stage, Horth Wessels hopes that she will be able to get on a Canadian card when the UFC returns to Montreal on May 10.
PERSONAL GOALS
Fighting aside, Horth Wessels says she wants to focus on being a healthier person in both the on and off-season.
“It just gave me a little bit more confidence to know that I belong there and I can do those things.”
Unlike many other UFC fights, Horth Wessels left the bout injury-free for a second time in a row.
UFC TESTING
During the last week of January, Horth Wessels was in Las Vegas at the UFC Performance Institute, completing a number of tests to see the numbers on how her body performs
The test provides a full body analysis as well as compares athletes’ abilities to one another.
“My strength and conditioning coaches were there, and they got to see [the results] first and foremost,” she said
“So that was really cool because it’s been about three or so years with my one conditioning coach, and then my coach locally, Jesse [Bifano], I’ve been working with him for about five years.
“Out of all the female athletes that have tested there over the four different weight classes, we just maxed out and set new records for everything there.”
Horth Wessels was able to set new all-time records for strength, energy output and V02 (the amount of oxygen your body can absorb and use during exercise).
It was a really good, like, ‘Heck yeah!’ moment. There’s definitely some things that we got off the results that we can work on, but we’re pretty much on the right track,” she said.
One thing she found out during the testing was that she could not put on any more muscle mass.
“I have 125.16 pounds of muscle, lean mass, which means that when I cut down weight I
“I have some sinus stuff that I’ve got going on, but I’d like to just be healthier, nutritionally, fitness-wise, and mentally healthier,” she said
“You know, being a high-level athlete can be taxing on the body, and I’m very boneheaded when it comes to that kind of stuff, but I’d like to work on the mental aspect of being an athlete.
“I don’t struggle with body images, but I know a lot of professional athletes do, especially when you’re in a sport where you’re cutting weight It can be hard to look one way one time and then, a month later, look a different way.
“I think over years of experience, I’ve created lots of mental fortitude when it comes to that But yeah, personal goals, I’d like to just be a more well-rounded and healthy off-season person.”
In 2024, Horth Wessels became an ambassador for the Lululemon West Vancouver store.
Since taking on the role, she’s been able to host events in collaboration with Lululemon, including the grand opening of The Sound Martial Arts when they moved location on Sept 15
“They’re based on community values, which is huge to me and huge for them So, I feel like this partnership works really well. They helped with our grand opening when we moved our gym. They catered it, they brought gifts and took part in it,” she said.
“They also have grants that I can apply for to run events. So if I have a women’s self-defence class or weekend thing where I run it, Lululemon will tag up with me and ask how they can support it [and that might be] with product, food, or finances to go and buy stuff to decorate.
“It’s a two-year ambassadorship, and it’s freaking awesome.”
To keep an eye out on Horth Wessels’s upcoming fights, check out her Instagram.
PHOTO BY DALLAS HAMM
ONEUP SQUAMISH ENDURO RETURNS FOR ITS 10TH YEAR OF RACING
The enduro mountain bike race has three courses with varying difficulty, and riders as young as 12 years old can take part
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
The OneUp Squamish Enduro is back for its 10th year of racing and is bringing three courses set to test mountain bikers from both near and afar
Slated for April 27, the event is one of Canada’s largest enduro mountain bike races and has been designed to strategically test everyone from the up-and-coming rider to the World Cup pro.
WHAT EXACTLY IS ENDURO RACING?
Race founder and event organizer Dylan Smith explains that enduro racing is essentially a competitive adaptation of how Squamish people ride their bikes already.
“When [people here] go for a bike ride, they pedal sort of slowly and at a reasonable pace uphill or on any sort of transition sections, and then they really go for it and send it on the descent,” Smith told The Squamish Chief.
“Other disciplines like cross country are more about pushing it the whole time, or for downhill racing, you would use a chair lift or a shuttle to access the top of the trail. But enduro is fully powered by the rider.”
During the enduro race, riders aren’t timed for the whole length of the course but for select downhill trails
“The Squamish Enduro is a multi-stage race that has racing taking part on select downhill trails, with the rest of the course being a long course, but the rest of it’s a liaison stage, so racing only happens on the downhill portion,” Smith said
“You end up basically with a race that is very long and hard and challenging from a fitness perspective, but at the same time, you just have these very exciting selections of timed downhill stages throughout the day where the racing is happening.”
THE COURSES
The event has three courses ranging from intermediate skill level all the way up to World Cup professional status
The Classics Course is a 25-kilometre, three-stage loop targeted towards intermediate riders.
Stage 1 is from Full Nelson’s Trail to Half Nelson, Stage 2 is Another Man’s Gold and Stage 3 is Hoods in the Woods (descent).
“It really features some of the most classic descents in Squamish,” Smith said.
“It’s a great way for an intermediate rider to experience the discipline of enduro, get out there and give it a try”
The Short Course is a 35 km long, four-stage course with black diamond-focused trails. According to Smith, it is geared towards the expert rider.
The route for the course will be released two weeks prior to the event to help maintain trails
but also allow for some time to practice ahead of the event.
The Long Course is a five-stage, 50 km course and has 1,400 meters of racing descent on black diamond and double black diamond trails.
“The [long] course, which is the original course that we started with, is touted by many of the World Cup athletes as one of the hardest races they do every year,” Smith said
“It’s for the World Cup pros and the advanced expert riders in town. And it’s a true test of trust, test of skill and ability.”
The route for the Long Course will be released two days prior to the event to make things a little trickier for the expert riders
“Essentially, because it’s such a big course, you really only have one chance to ride each stage once,” Smith said
Reigning champs Jesse Melamed and Emmy Lan will make their return to hold off some elite competition and retain their champion status
The courses change yearly and Smith says no course has been the same over the decade since the race has been in existence.
“We’ve always got a shifting course We certainly reuse trails and stages from other years, but it’s always a different course year on year,” he said
“I don’t think we’ve ever had the same set of trails or stages in the race in the 10 years that we’ve been running it, so it keeps people guessing.”
Fans of the sport can head down to spectator viewing locations on the day and cheer on both local and visiting talent. The spectator locations will be announced closer to the event date once all the courses have been revealed.
AGE LIMITS
Can your kid enter the Squamish Enduro? They can if they’re at least 12 years old.
“You have to be 12 as of race day. We’ve got,
surprisingly, 12-year-olds even in the full course,” Smith said
“It blows my mind that a 12-year-old can ride 50 kilometres, but it does happen, and there’s always a couple every year
“I’m not sure what age the oldest person who’s ever done it is, but certainly into their mid-60s.”
What makes Squamish so good for enduro?
It’s all about the terrain.
“In all honesty, it is just such a unique place because of so many elements,” Smith said
“There’s the climate, and there’s the topography of this place that makes a huge difference [For enduro] you need a certain sort of steepness of mountain It can’t be too steep. It can’t not be steep enough
“We just have the right grade and topography here.”
The proximity of the trails to residential living is also a huge factor.
“You don’t have to drive 25 minutes out of town to get to the trail network. You can ride to the trailhead from, theoretically, anywhere you live in town,” Smith said.
“And I think that’s what’s fostered such a phenomenal mountain bike community here, is having access to all that great stuff.”
A 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
The Squamish Enduro first kicked off in 2014 with just one course and over 100 competitors.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years,”
Smith said
“I think the first year, we had 160 people at the event and this year, we’ll have about 750 people It also used to just be one course, and now it’s three mutually exclusive courses.”
To acknowledge the occasion, Smith said the event will have a variety of celebrations and activities planned for the day.
“We’re going to have some really cool photo booth opportunities at the race start. We’re also going to have some special sort of food and beverage options as well being released,” he said
“A lot of it’s going to be announced in the coming sort of weeks and months and then some of the stuff they’re not going to find out until race day.
“But we’ve got some big plans.”
The Squamish Enduro and Tourism Squamish also released a video to commemorate the anniversary of the race called Through The Stages.
“It is basically just a story of the Squamish Enduro to kind of commemorate our 10th anniversary,” Smith said.
“It tells people where we came from, how we got there, and paints the picture of the excitement of the race.”
Registration for the event opened Feb. 2. Find out more at squamishenduro.com.
63.5%
PHOTO BY ROB PERRY
The Squamish Enduro is back for 2025 and its 10th year!
CL AS SI FI ED S
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Born in Vancouver,BCtoF BenFellowes andIM (Patty Harvey) Fellowes. Attended Lord Bynghigh school. Studiedmath and computer scienceatUBC before escaping toWhistler.Hedied in his home, age 81.
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ACROSS
1. Jest
5. bad to worse
9.Entirety
12. Spirited
13. Phone wire
14. Distinct period
15. Drat!
16. Grape drinks
17.Hill-building insect
18. Firstborn
20.Pale gray
22.Plant again
25. Tramp
28. Rub out
31. Covereddecoratively
33. Atmosphere
34. Fabric colorers
36. In the dumps
37.Misting device
39.Imitators
41.Golf-ball props
42. Putonhold
44. Use snowrunners
46. Come intoview
50.Speck
52. CanaveralorHorn
55. Jack’stote
56. Have being
57.Ogler
58. Strays
59.Rose plot
60.Animals’ lairs
61.Takeout,inprinting
DOWN
1.Green mineral
2. Almost round
3. Nice
4. Border trimmers
5. Bad tires
6. Stamp out
7. and only
8. Small plateau
9. Ocean stallion: 2wds.
10. Coffee container
11. Gym pad
19. Filthy
21. “____-Devil”
23. Met musical
24.Armed conflict
26.Withstand
27.Gambling numbers
28. NewEngland coast
29.Mellow
30.Detained
32. Biblical song
35. Up to this time
38. Solicit
40.Chirped
43. Pilsner and lager
45. Cooled
47.Unusual
48. Young lady
49.You’resomething ____!
50.Pat gently
51.Crude copper
53. Nautical response
54. Cage
Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling
HOROSCOPE WEEK OF FEB20, 2025 -FEB 26,2025
ARIES March 21-April 19
Beforedivingintoa big project, takeamomentto unwind and have some fun. Celebrateyourpromotion in good company.Embrace new challengeswith open arms!
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VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
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HOWTOPLAY:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3box contains the numbers1through 9only once. Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. Youalready have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeat the numbers1through 9in the same line, column or 3x3box
SUDOKU
SERVINGSQUAMISHAREA
Huge congrats to all ourincredibleRealtorswho earned an AwardofExcellence or Sales Achievement Awardthisyear. Aspecial shoutout to CassidySeckman forearningRookieofthe Year –yourhard work trulystandsout!We’re so proudofeachofyou.Thankyou foryourcontinued dedication and passion. Your successisour success, andwecouldn’t do it withoutyou.Here’stoanevenmore amazingyearahead!
Scott McQuade MedallionClubMember
SimonHudson MedallionClubMember
Julie Phoenix MedallionClubMember
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Alex Vark MedallionClubMember
Michelle Lanthier MatthewDavies MedallionClubMember
ChristineBarton
Tom MalpassMatthew Lees TomMajek ZenobiaWilson
MikeJones PetraHauke