The Collective

Scott McQuade, President

Scott is the owner of the Ocean Port Hotel, with 23 rooms and the only liquor store in the BIA. He moved to Squamish 9 years ago from Whistler where he was previously in the rental management business. Scott is passionate about a vibrant downtown and hopes to be able to contribute by advocating better security and ROI for landowners, businesses and the organization itself.

Susan Chapelle, Vise President

Susan is a business owner of Squamish Therapeutics. Susan knows how important it is to get on with tasks at hand and would like help the BIA move forward with issues that affect business owners.

Christine Elliot, Secretary

Christine is the owner of Sunsational Vacations, which has been in downtown Squamish for 31 years. Christine started working there as an employee seven years ago and purchased the business three years ago. She is primarily involved in the BIA because of the value she places on historical downtown. With so many changes happening in Squamish, she wanted to be proactive, volunteer and have a voice to help showcase the "heart" of Squamish.

Anna Kirman, Treasurer

Anna is the owner of Anna's Attic who has been adding a touch of originality to Downtown Squamish for 23 years. Anna was one of the original members of the Squamish Town Centre Association. One of her goals with the BIA is to increase membership and involvement.

Stan Matwychuk, Board Director

An Artist for most of his life and a jack of all industry trades finds Stan Matwychuk of Homebase Studios a well rounded hands on creative and community collaborator. With 10 years invested into the Howe Sound Corridor, Stan finds lifestyle and work intertwined into a seamless experience. Stan runs and operates the artist-run centre called Homebase Studios at the end of Second Ave. Here, artists and the community reciprocate the need for each other and incubate creativity along the way. From elder to youth, Stan has always allowed time to teach and inspire for the arts. Stan represented the studio at Live at Squamish as well as throwing Squamish’s first Culture Days Block Party which was a pan-canadian arts initiative. Stan has always brought community and collaboration to the heart of all of his projects and believes that creativity will allow for new ideas and momentum.

Colleen Myers, Board Director

Colleen moved to Squamish 7 years ago, for the lifestyle and location it offered. What inspired her is the vibrant and diverse community that gave this small town so much heart. She has been a business owner within the BIA for the last 6 years, currently a co-partner in The Zephyr Cafe. Being passionate about Downtown and its future, she believes the combination of colourful history, dedicated business owners, thriving community and changing demographics; it is destined to become the cultural hub of Squamish.

Christine Bennett, Executive Director

Christine Bennett has worked as a Sales Marketing Agent, Operations Coordinator and General Manager all of which involved new products, markets and promotion. Born in Squamish, Christine has called Squamish home for many years. She's been an active volunteer with a variety local groups and looks forward to helping the downtown continue on its path to becoming a vibrant part of Squamish.

I come from downtown
Born ready for you
Armed with will and determination
and grace, too.
-Gord Downie-