TEST OF METAL
Course Protection Initiative

BLOG YOUR THOUGHTS

Why should we protect the Test of Metal Course?

• The Test of Metal is unique, the crown jewel of the mountain bike experience, drawing people from all over the world.  It is the largest mountain bike race in Canada and one of the largest in the world, inspiring for riders and our community. The Test is truly a legend; why else would it sell out in minutes year after year?
• Squamish claims to be the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, the Test of Metal is key to justifying that claim.
• The course is at risk of loss from logging, quarrying and development. 
  • Several parts of the course are on land which will be developed.  By acting now we can influence the development at the conceptual stage to ensure the safe passage of the Test of Metal through the new community. 
  • With respect to logging, a hard fought campaign was necessary to preseve the famous Powerhouse Plunge, and another is now underway to save Dead End Loop.  Such conflicts are inevitable as long as we do not have a protected status for the course.  Creating a park adds a level of protection that would remove concerns over logging and quarrying, as well as development.  As long as the status quo continues we will have constant battles over Squamish's crown jewels a extremely unlikely.

 What are the benefits to Squamish of creating the Test of Metal Sports Park (TOMSP)?

• It underpins our image as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada.  If we don't support the creation of the Test of Metal Sports Park, we have to question our claim as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada.
• It will ensure that the Test of Metal can be enjoyed for generations to come.  Enjoyed by the riders, the volunteers, the sponsors and the spectators.
• The TOMSP will enhance Squamish's reputation as a place where the community puts action behind its words.
• The financial benefits of the Test of Metal have been documented through the Sea to Sky Mountain Biking Economic Impact Study that shows that mountain bikers from outside Squamish annually spend $1.7 milion in our community.  The Test of Metal is the single largest component of annual spending representing one third of this total.
• The TOMSP will enhance tourism by creating the image as the place to go for mountain biking.  Tourism Squamish is a strong supporter of the creation of TOMSP with unanimous support by its board members.
• The Test of Metal is a positive event for the community.  It unites people, bringing together the diaspera of the residents, along with a wide variety of visitors.
• Fitness and health defines Squamish. Don Ross Secondary School has won the Provincial High School Mountain Bike Championship for five years in a row.  Howe Sound Secondary has been runner up for the past three years.  Squamish is number one and two.  Fit kids is more likely to lead to adults who live a healthy lifestyle.  The Test of Metal inspires mountain biking in the community and many of our young athletes aspire to compete. 

How do we intent to protec the trail?

Within Squamish we would work with the District of Squamish (DOS), landowners and other stake holders to ensure a smooth and cooperative process; specifically:

• Work with public and private land owners for a win-win situation. 
• For the private land owners we have started a dialog such that when their properties reach the concept stage of development we will be included to plan for a successful threading of the Test of Metal through the development.
• As land is developed our intent is to preserve the Test of Metal course and a margin on either side in a similar manner to the easements required for creeks and streams.  During the recent agreement worked out during the logging of the Powerhouse Plunge a set back of 30-50 metres was negotiated.   This would seem to be a reasonable approach to take with the TOMSLP.
• It may be necessary to move the route to a more acceptable course to reduce impact on land owners and/or cost of preservation.
• It is anticipated that TOMSP will initially become park land under a Municipal Park designation, managed by DOS. In the longer term an integrated park with Alice Lake Provincial Park, and lands in the SLRD may be raised to the level of a Provincial or National Park.
• Park trail designations may be problematic as they have certain standards for trails. It will be important to define the trail as an unimproved mountain bike trail, which might make it necessary to obtain exemptions from standard practices.  It will be important for the trails to remain as rough mountain bike trails such that the experience of the Test of Metal is not lost.
• As lands are transferred to the District for TOMSP there may need to be covenants to ensure the use remains unchanged.

Within the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) (i.e. outside the District of Squamish) our approach will be modified to recognize that achieving park designation will be a long term goal, but more urgent action will be required to protect the Test of Metal trails.  Our approach will be to work within the Provincial Trails Strategy developed by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MTCA).

• Where possible application will be made to MTCA to have Test of Metal trails designated under Section 56 of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) as Recreational Trails, with restrictions for other uses under Section 58. This would provide a greater degree of protection than is afforded today, but we well short of the level or protection afforded a park. Unfortunately, application under Section 56 can only be made for trails that are on Crown Land, which means that those trails that start of finish on private land become problematic.  However, through open dialog we do expect to be able to avoid repeating the conflict experienced with the recent logging around the Powerhouse Plunge.
• Where Section 56 is not possible we will work to avoid logging and quarrying, such that they do not encroach on the trail to reduce the experience, or destroy the trail completely.
• Long term we aim to have the Test of Metal trails designated as park as part of TOMSP in the SLRD.  The SLRD is reported to be the only regional district in the Province not to have designated parks.  There are those within the SLRD that would welcome changing this situation and TOMSP, they believe, would be a feather in the cap of SLRD park planning. 
• To increases the chances of success in extending TOMSP into the SLRD, a local trail strategy should be developed.  While this is beyond the scope of TOMSP, we will be active participants in helping to craft such a local trails strategy.

Last changed: Mar 25 2009 at 4:31 PM

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