Cultural restoration: Community visions collaborate to reclaim cherished landscape

More than 50 years ago, a chemical plant operated on the Oceanfront Peninsula south of downtown Squamish, British Columbia. Surrounded by mountains and overlooking the ocean, the peninsula was off-limits to the waterfront Squamish community. After the plant ceased operations in the 1990s, the province of British Columbia ordered remediation that resulted in a significant excavation program on the peninsula, setting in motion a series of events that would eventually open the area to the community again.

With support from Stantec’s Environmental Services, a remarkable transformation has now taken place at the former brownfield site. Called Oceanfront Squamish, the 60-acre project is a collaboration between developer Matthews West, Squamish Nation, and the District of Squamish. Oceanfront Squamish has become a vibrant extension of downtown Squamish, a master-planned development that pushes past the typical definition of mixed-use. The project will eventually bring 2,500 new homes for 7,000 residents and 2,500 jobs to the site, in addition to shopping, a new park, trails, and other recreation.