The Pemberton and District Chamber of Commerce has written the Village of Pemberton (VOP) asking for support in addressing a shortage of parking and transportation options to the business park. Council discussed the letter at its Jan. 21 meeting.
The letter, signed by Chamber president Adam Adams, is the result of a "very productive" October 2024 meeting of owners in the business park.
Here’s what the business park is hoping for from the Village:
Friendship Trail maintenance
Adams’ first item on the docket was the Friendship Trail, which he called “a vital commuter route since its completion.”
The seven-kilometre trail connects Mount Currie and the Village of Pemberton. The letter expressed concern that the trail is in need of upkeep and improvement, and is not "usable year-round."
“Trail users reported portions of the trail are overgrown and need widening,” the letter read.
Council concluded the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District is responsible for trail maintenance, but agreed the trail could use some work.
Parking options
The letter also noted that, as the business park continues to grow and diversify—including new recreation and food services—the lack of new parking options is acting as a "deterrent to customers trying to access the businesses."
Mayor and council echoed the concern.
"There’s a lot of uses going on in there now," said Mayor Mike Richman. "Visioning and understanding how we can serve everybody in that business park is tough, but I think it's something that needs to be considered.”
Better snow-clearing
Another hurdle raised was that business owners in the park might be an “after-thought” when it comes to snow-clearing.
“These businesses understand the priority for the Village is the downtown area,” Adams wrote. “However, there were reports of snow-clearing taking days to occur.”
Increasing transportation options
The Chamber expressed appreciation for the VOP's efforts to expand bus routes—specifically the local 100 route—but wondered if the Village "had considered permitting ride-sharing services" like Uber and Lyft in the valley.
"Allowing these services to operate would benefit not only our members in the business park, this would benefit all businesses operating in our valley," the letter read.
Council noted the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board regulates licenses for taxi services within the province, and the issue is therefore out of their hands. VOP officials were uncertain about the role council could play in fostering a ride-share industry, and indicated a follow-up was needed.
Adams' letter acknowledged that the items raised therein were "not immediately fixable items." Instead of a quick remedy, he hopes "to liaise between the business owners/operators in the business park and the Village of Pemberton as progress is made on these matters."
Council consistently echoed the concerns raised in the letter, acknowledging the growing needs of the area and its importance to the village moving forward.
“It’s a really neat growing area—the industrial park—in so many ways, and it’s exciting to acknowledge that and just see how it’s moving forward," said Councillor Katrina Nightingale.
Council directed staff to respond to the Chamber president's letter, but Richman acknowledged replies to some of the items might need come "down the road."
