Where the candidates stand on Brennan Park and recreation

• Daniel Deal (for mayor) Somewhat disagrees

  “We should not have to borrow to make these improvements, this is something we can try and solve through private-public cooperation, as well as more fiscal responsible choices.”

• Sean Easton (for mayor) Somewhat agrees

  “Brennan Park's real needs — a bigger pool, a second sheet of ice, better change rooms — have to get fixed, and I'll aim to fund it through a fair deal with industry instead of debt that pushes up costs for locals.”

• Jenna Stoner (for mayor) Strongly agrees

  “Borrowing is a legitimate tool when it's paired with grants and a plan to pay it back. What I won't do is start without knowing how it gets finished.”

• Sean Goodwin Somewhat agrees

  “Brennan Park needs to be rebuilt sooner than later, and the project isn't going to happen over night, depending on the terms and conditions of how and how much we borrow. I think it's time to get on with it.”

• Andrew Hamilton Somewhat agrees

  “There is no question that the District will need to borrow to expand Brennan Park. The District will need to borrow for any major capital investment. The District is currently close to its debt-servicing limit. Debt-servicing is the percentage of annual municipal revenue required to pay principal and interest on debt. We are currently at 17% (as of the 2026 budget), and we have a self-imposed policy limit of 20%. The provincial limit is 25%. We could increase our self-imposed limit, but that may limit our ability to manage any emergency borrowing in an unforeseen event.”

• A. John Lowe Somewhat disagrees

  “There are options to getting an additional civic center that should not cost funding. funds can be raised by many other means. The responsibility for the District is to provide a land base and connect with a group of the willing to get it done. We have grown from a small community of 15000 to 30,000 plus and still have old outdated facilities which in the past we built by a group of the willing then. We can do this with cooperation from the province, our first nations partners and the community at large”

• Luc Perreault In the middle

  “We absolutely need a new recreation centre. We need another pool, more ice time, and additional recreation space to support a growing community. Recreation is important on many levels. It keeps people active, teaches our kids essential skills like swimming, supports physical and mental health, and provides the quality of life that residents expect. The challenge is how we pay for it. I know the community has been waiting a long time for improvements to Brennan Park, but I am cautious about taking on significant new debt given the financial pressures the District is already facing. Before borrowing tens of millions of dollars, I want to make sure we have explored every available option. I would like to see the District get creative and investigate partnerships with private industry, senior levels of government, community organizations, and potentially neighbouring communities. Other municipalities have successfully used partnership models to help deliver recreation facilities, and I think those examples are worth exploring. My goal would be to deliver these amenities sooner rather than later while minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers. If we can find a way to share costs, reduce risk, and accelerate delivery, that's a conversation worth having. I support investing in recreation, but I also believe we need to be responsible with public finances. We all want these facilities, but we need a plan that the community can afford. At the end of the day, doing nothing isn't an option. Squamish has outgrown its existing recreation facilities. The question isn't whether we need more recreation infrastructure. The question is how we deliver it in a way that is financially responsible and sustainable for future generations.”

• Laura Prosko In the middle

  “I think Brennan Park should go ahead and we won't have to borrow if we are fiscally responsible.”

• Chris Ryan Somewhat agrees

  “We need to approach a certain corporation to be a financial partner in a legacy community project.”

• Shaun Veltkamp In the middle

  “This is a critical piece and priority needed for the entire community. I believe we should realign and direct the DOS Major Projects department to work with the province and federal government to leverage their current relationships due to the LNG project and find funding for several major projects, primarily a new community centre, new regional hospital, and several other infrastructure projects.”

Comments candidates added when answering our questionnaire, unedited.

• Sean Easton (for mayor) In the middle

  “Renewing Brennan Park is a huge priority, but it should be paid for by a fair deal with industry, not more public debt that will increase costs to residents in the long term.”

• Jenna Stoner (for mayor) Strongly agrees

  “Waiting means paying tomorrow's prices for a facility this community needed yesterday. I'd want the grants and the plan lined up, but I'm not prepared to tell families to wait another decade.”

• Sarah Ellis Somewhat agrees

  “The District is limited in its borrowing authority by legislation. Even if we borrow, we will still need reserves and grants to pay for a Brennan park renewal.”

• Andrew Hamilton Somewhat agrees

  “This question assumes Brennan Park is the next facility on the capital projects list. That decision has not been made. If the question is asking whether I think borrowing is generally appropriate for capital project funding, then the answer is absolutely yes.”

• A. John Lowe Strongly disagrees

  “We need a plan to right the ship with input on what is the best plan of action. With assistance with a group of the willing we may be able to get what we want within a budget we can afford There are times when spending now and paying interest works over the long haul but i don't believe this is that time. Taxpayers are stretched to the limit and we need to find options.”

• Anders Ourom Strongly agrees

  “Renewal of at Brennan Park should include full arts and cultural facilities. Consideration should be given as to whether some facilities could be added in the Brackendale and Valleycliffe areas.”

• Laura Prosko Strongly disagrees

  “No, we should find the budget efficiences and start in 2027.”

• Chris Ryan Strongly agrees

  “If we do borrow money,Brennen Park needs to largely increase its services to help pay for, air domes for tennis and pickle ball, an area a that can generate revenue from live shows, exebitions and events, as well as hockey, basketball. Water park. Give a reason for the millions of people who just drive throu squamish”

• Shaun Veltkamp In the middle

  “We need a NEW, purpose built community centre that fits the community population in 15 years and beyond, not our current population. This should have been in the pipeline years ago as our community has already drastically outgrown BPCC. 12-14,000 new residents in the next 15 years is the outlook. Heavy Industry mill rates, federal infrastrucure funding and grants should be heavily leaned upon to fund this immediately.”

Comments candidates added when answering our questionnaire, unedited.