Lions Bay

Lions Bay is a residential community on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, approximately midway between West Vancouver and Squamish. The 35th smallest of BC's 264 self-governing municipalities, Lions Bay is located on the steep eastern shore of Howe Sound.BackgroundOriginally a summer camping destination for Vancouverites, Lions Bay began to be settled for permanent residences in the 1960s, with poor road access to Vancouver. Initially only a water improvement district, the Village was incorporated in 1971.LocationLions Bay is less than 30 minutes driving time south to downtown Vancouver. The Lions Bay General Store and Cafe, two realty offices, and a Post Office are located centrally.GovernanceLions Bay is a small self-governing municipality in British Columbia, with elected Mayor and four Councillors setting policy. Five administrative staff work out of the municipal hall, and four at the Frank Smith Works (maintenance) yard. The Village's Klatt Public Safety Building houses the 30-volunteer Fire Department, an ambulance station leased to the BC Ambulance Service, and Lions Bay Search & Rescue.Lions Bay is a member of the Metro Vancouver Regional District.Policing is provided by the Squamish RCMP detachment.AmenitiesLions Bay Beach Park has restroom and change facilities, a sandy beach protected by floating log boom, and a float. Kelvin Grove Beach park is 500 meters south.A large private marina has land-storage capacity for approximately 200 boats of up to 32 feet, and a forklift/trailer launch and recovery ramp.InfrastructureUnder permit from the Province water service is drawn from Harvey and Magnesia Creeks, and treated in two modern dual-barrier plants. Other than a few weeks in late summer, the Village's supply from its own creeks is more than adequate. Other than the 100 houses in the Kelvin Grove area, Lions Bay does not have central sewage, but relies on individual onsite wastewater systems .