Friday, March 21, 2025
By Justin Hains and Tracey L’Espérance
Located at the confluence of mountains and ocean, Squamish, British Columbia is surrounded by a breathtaking backdrop in an area renowned for its trails, adventure sports, and diverse wildlife populations. Coupled with the thriving art and culture scene, Squamish is growing.
Starting in the 1960s, a mercury cell chlor-alkali plant operated on the Oceanfront Peninsula just south of downtown Squamish. It produced caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, and chlorine for the pulp and paper industry. The historical plant operations resulted in the release and deposition of mercury contamination from the plant’s chemical manufacturing processes. After the plant ceased operations in the 1990s, the province of British Columbia ordered remediation which resulted in significant remedial excavation programs, and a Certificate of Compliance (Certificate) for residential use issued in 2005 for one-third of the land. An Approval-in-Principle was issued for the remaining lands and included long-term monitoring of the site.
For decades, the Oceanfront Peninsula remained off limits to the waterfront community of Squamish who had limited direct local access to Howe Sound. But in 2004, the lands were transferred to the District of Squamish and a master plan for the redevelopment of the plant area was created. In addition to residential and commercial property, the redevelopment plans included a park, protection of the shoreline’s ecological values, boat launches and safe public access to the shoreline.
Welcome Gate by James Harry at the headland. Credit: Tracey L’Espérance
Jump ahead two decades and a remarkable transformation is taking place at this former brownfield site. The project is called Oceanfront Squamish, a 60-acre project that is a collaboration between developer Matthews West, Squamish Nation, and the District of Squamish. A vibrant extension of downtown Squamish, the master-planned development pushes past the typical definition of mixed-use to bring residents and businesses together with shopping, light industry, offices, maker spaces, public parks and trails. The development will eventually bring 2,500 new homes for 7,000 residents and 2,500 jobs to the former brownfield site.
In 2024, Sp’akw’us Feather Park was awarded a Brownie Award in the category of Restrategize: Partnerships and Community Engagement.
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Featured image: Sp’akw’us Feather Park grand opening, August 2024. Credit: Jonathan Evans
