The new Cheekeye Debris Barrier is currently under construction near the northeast corner of Alice Lake Provincial Park, through a partnership between the Squamish Nation and developer Matthews West, in collaboration with the District of Squamish, B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and other stakeholders.
The Nch’ḵay̓’ team is providing ongoing coordination, procurement, and administrative support on behalf of the Nation, and we’re pleased to report that the barrier is more than 40% complete and on track for completion next summer.
Once completed, the new barrier will be able to retain some 2.8 million cubic metres of debris in the event of a landslide, providing sustained benefits to Squamish People and the broader community:
- Protection for five nearby Sḵwx̱wú7mesh villages from debris flow stemming from the flanks of Nch’ḵay̓ (Mount Garibaldi)
- Partnership in the Cheekeye development and future procurement and employment opportunities on land that will be developed in partnership with Matthews West
- Enhanced preparedness and resilience to extreme climate events and disasters
Having the debris barrier in place will unlock 538 acres of Cheekeye Fan lands for development with partner Matthews West based on the original deal established by the Nation in 2013. The Business Development team, through Nch’ú7mut Contracting and with support from our Real Estate & Development team, will ensure opportunities for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh entrepreneurs and businesses along the way. These opportunities may be in the fields of construction, real estate, retail, accounting, engineering, architecture, food and beverage service, and more.
The Cheekeye Debris Barrier is one of several ways we are supporting investments and infrastructure that will generate long-term wealth and prosperity for Squamish People.
