Squamish council must have some magical powers. How else could you explain how more than 200 people vehemently opposed to a gondola on the Stawamus Chief and the proponents of said gondola could walk away from Tuesday's council meeting happy?
The crowd were pleased because they felt council listened to the flood of protest and closed the door on the concept of a gondola spitting hundreds of people an hour onto the second peak of the Chief, forever changing a recreational and cultural landmark of the community.
Proponents Peter Alder and Paul Mathews left happy because council supported in principle the idea of a gondola in the area, leaving the door open for a route from the same base alongside Hwy. 99, only climbing above Shannon Falls - but still infringing on the boundaries of the Class A provincial park.
We're not sure if the crowd there didn't understand the ramifications of council's decision or if most people's opposition to the gondola simply extends as far as landing on the peak. Either way, council's ability to make both sides smile is truly mind-boggling.
Despite council's verbal sleight-of-hand, the whole proposal has another major hurdle to clear. The Squamish Nation, the other primary stakeholder that Alder and Mathews are to consult before proceeding with their application, has not made its intentions formally clear, but from the reaction of band councillor Donna Billy at Tuesday's meeting it's likely that the Squamish Nation is going to stand firmly against any gondola infringing on the boundaries of the park - including the alternate proposal for Shannon Creek.
Even if - or rather, when - the Squamish Nation makes its stand against the gondola, the provincial government's reaction is still the "X" factor.
Water, Land and Air Protection Minister Bill Barisoff has said previously that the government will only give approval to an amendment to the Stawamus Chief provincial park master plan with community support and directed Alder and Mathews to consult with the District and Squamish Nation before going into full public consultation, but in the end, the park master plan can be changed without so much as a by-your-leave.
The gondola to the top of the Chief is a dead issue. But do people care enough about the rest of the Stawamus Chief provincial park to take action against Alder and Mathews' alternate route? And if they do, will the government care?
This story is far from over.
