Mayor recognizes rock climbing's economic contribution

[squamish climber]

Charlie Smith wrote a nice take out in the Georgia Straight newspaper today on climbing in Squamish: Squamish's Stawamus Chief anchors climbing community.

The article refers to the 2008 Squamish Climbing Strategy Report published by the Squamish Access Society and authored by Kevin McLane, which says climbing generates approximately $25 million in revenue.

Mayor Greg Gardener is interviewed and says the number of climbers is growing by five to seven percent per year. “We’re seeing that having a definite economic impact in the community," he says.

He points out another economic impact -- the world-class rock climbing in Squamish is attracting high-quality employees and investors to move to here.

Kinley Aitken with Squamish Rock Guides is quoted in the feature as well. She notes that climbers come from all over Europe, South America, and Japan to climb and stay for up to a month at a time during the summer.

Check out this interview Charlie did with Gardener. In it the mayor calls Smoke Bluff Park the only municipal park of its kind in North America dedicated to climbing.