Andrew Hughes

Squamish, Victoria

published poet. former reporter with award-winning @squamishchief. award-losing @UBCJournalism graduate. i like sitting down.

Articles

Rain doesn't dampen excitement of the 2024 Squamish Off-Road Triathlon

Jun 1, 2024 | squamishchief.com | Andrew Hughes

In true Squamish fashion, this year’s Squamish Off-Road Triathlon was met with rain, but the event was a success nonetheless. On Sunday, May 26, about 200 raced at the annual triathlon at Alice Lake Provincial Park. The park hosted both a sport and championship course, and participants included individual racers and relay teams. The sport course consists of a 750-metre swim, a 12.9-kilometre mountain bike ride, and a 5.5-kilometre trail run.
District of Squamish joins others proclaiming June 1 as Wild Salmon Day

Jun 1, 2024 | vancouverisawesome.com | Andrew Hughes

The Pacific Salmon Foundation says Squamish is one of the many municipalities declaring June 1 as Wild Salmon Day. According to a news release, the District of Squamish joined seven other cities and two provinces and territories in proclaiming June 1 as Wild Salmon Day. “The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) is energized by the uptake this year by Squamish and others, and the growing momentum and awareness for Pacific salmon and their habitats,” states the release.
FORE!: New back nine greets eager golfers at Squamish Valley Golf Club

May 31, 2024 | squamishchief.com | Andrew Hughes

With a lot of upgrades to the back nine ready to roll, the Squamish Valley Golf Club was filled with eager players at its soft opening on May 31. The latter half of the Squamish course underwent extensive renovations that started last August and recently wrapped up. The club's general manager, Scott Wengi, said the renovation went really well over the winter. “And it looks fantastic now,” he said.
District of Squamish rescinds campfire ban

May 31, 2024 | squamishchief.com | Andrew Hughes

Stock up on marshmallows, folks. The District of Squamish will rescind its campfire ban as of 4 p.m. today, Friday, May 31.
Opinion: A reporter's departure—Reflecting on life's big questions and Squamish's role

May 31, 2024 | squamishchief.com | Andrew Hughes

By the time some of you read this, my desk will already be cleared, my to-do list checked, and my computer wiped. My last day at The Squamish Chief will be May 31. There aren’t too many jobs in the world where you get to tell a swath of strangers (and some familiar faces) why you’re leaving, though I suppose I could just solve that with a post to Facebook.
District of Squamish ‘exploring’ options for Re-Use-It Fair

May 31, 2024 | squamishchief.com | Andrew Hughes

The District of Squamish is “exploring” having the annual Re-Use-It Fair mid-summer as the muni searches for a different venue. After initially announcing on Facebook that the Re-Use-It Fair would be cancelled due to ongoing upgrades at Brennan Park Recreation Centre, a spokesperson for the District says they are actively looking at alternative venues to host the event later than usual this summer.
Max $3,000 fines coming for Squamish short-term rental non-compliance

May 30, 2024 | squamishchief.com | Andrew Hughes

Maintaining an unlicenced Airbnb could wind up costing you a whole lot more. The District of Squamish is moving ahead with increased fines of up to $3,000 per day for short-term rental infractions. At the regular business meeting on May 21, Squamish council members approved three readings of a bylaw amendment that would allow the District to increase fines for short-term rental (STR) infractions from $500 up to $3,000 per infraction, per day.
ICYMI: Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Squamish Together event returns on Canada Day

May 30, 2024 | squamishchief.com | Andrew Hughes

The celebratory community event Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Squamish Together is back on Canada Day. According to a news release from the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association (DSBIA), the event will once again take over Junction Park on Monday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event features live music, food and drink, cultural performances, and the X̱ex̱e7énaḵ Creators Together Market along Cleveland Avenue.
2024 Howe Sound herring survey sees spawning in similar areas to previous years

May 29, 2024 | squamishchief.com | Andrew Hughes

Local herring spawn surveyors say their 2024 data, so far, shows similar spawning areas to past years, with at least one newly discovered area. At an event at the Brackendale Art Gallery on May 28, over 50 people attended an end-of-the-season talk about the Search for Slhawt’/Herring project from the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative (MSI).
CapU announces student dorm purchase in Squamish

May 29, 2024 | squamishchief.com | Andrew Hughes

After a large provincial investment, student housing will be available this fall at Capilano University’s Squamish campus. In a news release on May 29, CapU announced that alongside the B.C. government, it purchased three student housing buildings on the Squamish campus for a total of $55 million. The province invested $48 million into the purchase.