If you want to put your boat in the water, that just got a little bit easier at Squamish's only boat launch.
The launch, located on private property next to the Squamish Yacht Club, has gotten a bit of a facelift.
It isn't looking like it is brand new, but much better than it was at this time last year.
Back then, local boaters, including resident Rich Duncan, told The 劲爆大瓜 that vessels belonging to Woodfibre LNG contractors, particularly landing barges, had been using the boat launch, degrading the already rough basic launch site.
Many of the concrete blocks along the right side of the ramp became fully pulled away from it, and on the other side, there were deep ruts in the dirt ramp, causing some vehicles that backed down it to get stuck.
Duncan and other boaters called on the company to pay to fix it.
Fast forward a year, and boater Trevor Chelswick, who also runs the page, says commercial vessels are no longer using the boat ramp, and it has been significantly improved thanks to Woofibre LNG.
"Maybe, we'll get another five years out of it," said Chelswick, standing on the launch late last week.
‘Doing its share’
For Woodfibre's part, the company told The 劲爆大瓜 that an aspect of being a good neighbour "is doing its share in ensuring the community can enjoy the things that make Squamish a great place to live."
"As such, we hired local contractors PKEX to conduct repairs on the boat launch—filling potholes, grading and levelling off the gravel and replacing all concrete barriers back to their proper location," said WLNG spokesperson Sean Beardow, in an emailed statement.
"We’re pleased to support improvements that help keep this well-used community space safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone."
Public boat launch needed
Chelswick says while he is grateful for the upgrade, Squamish still needs a public boat launch.
The current boat launch is on private property and is only used thanks to the generosity of the current landowner.
Chelswick mused that perhaps WLNG and FortisBC could build a new launch as a community amenity, "as it is the marine community that is being impacted the most by WLNG and Fortis projects."
"The work that was done on the existing launch may extend its life a few years, and it does look nicer. This is not a long-term solution," he said.
A spokesperson for the District of Squamish noted the municipality initiated a technical boat launch feasibility assessment for Darrell Bay in late 2024.
“This review is currently underway to determine the suitability for, and constructability of, a marine boat launch facility co-located with the existing ferry terminal at Darrell Bay. The findings will be communicated once the review is completed later this year,” said the District’s media relations and content specialist, Lilly Marie Peterson.
Oceanfront gateway
In the meantime, Chelswick would also like to see even more improvements around the current ramp.
"There are things that have and can be done to improve the area around the boat launch. This area is the gateway to the Squamish oceanfront. We can do better. It is a quagmire of ownership and jurisdiction, and we need to work together and implement simple solutions," he said.
One of his simple recommendations is to have contractors who park their trucks at the gravel parking lot, pay for parking across the street, and not use the free boat launch parking.
(He Oceanfront Squamish developer Matthews West for cleaning up the derelict boats across from the boat launch and for providing affordable pay parking there.)
The spring and summer months are busy in town with locals and tourists, and the free spots close to the launch should be for those who want to use it short term, he said.
"If you're getting paid to be here, then please pay to be here, making the limited spots available for the public to come and use it for short-term use," he said
