One of the major projects being undertaken by the District of Squamish is the Squamish Oceanfront Development.

At the nexus of land and water sits 59 acres of former industrial land, plus 44 adjacent acres of submerged water lots, owned by the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation (SODC), a wholly owned corporation of the District of Squamish. This land, extending from downtown Squamish, forms a peninsula fronting Howe Sound, the Mamquam Blind Channel and the Cattermole Slough. With its ability to drive economic revitalization and reconnect the community to the water this land represents a profound redevelopment opportunity unparalleled anywhere in the region.

Recently a feasibility development plan was completed that incorporated community goals. In summary, the plan incorporates the following:

• Creates an Oceanfront Park, trail network and community amenities, 
• Complements the downtown, 
• Generates significant new income and employment opportunities, 
• Invites a university to be part of the community, 
• Provides over 1,100 new homes to help accommodate Squamish’s growing population, and 
• Makes money and minimizes risk

The projected positive impacts of the project are significant and represent a boon to the broader Squamish community and all levels of government. 

• Total full-time employment projected at build-out is almost 2,200. 
• Direct Output (the sum total of all revenue generated) relating to construction is projected to be between $678 million and $750 million. 
• The aggregate Direct Output of the economy (ignoring construction) created by the development is projected to equal over six billion dollars for the first thirty years.

Incremental government tax revenues projected to result from this ongoing incremental economy (ignoring construction) are projected as follows.

• Federal government tax receipts of $18.7–$26.4 million per annum;
• Provincial government tax receipts of $14.9–$21.3 million per annum; and
• District of Squamish tax receipts of $4.7–$6.0 million per annum.

For more information on the Squamish Oceanfront Development visit www.squamishoceanfront.com