The long-overdue and much-worked-at Davis Bay revitalization project is starting to come into focus with the unveiling of two beautiful Davis Bay Parkway signs.
The Davis Bay Parkway Society (DBPS), along with representatives from the District of Sechelt, were on hand Wednesday morning to unveil the signs, which were designed by Sunshine Coast artist Jan Poynter and constructed by Duane Perrett from Sechelt Signs.
“I’m really pleased. This has been a long process — probably 14 or 15 years to get to where we are at today. We have a little bit more to do with the work along the water, but soon we will be back here with another dedication event,” said Mayor John Henderson. “In 2001, from my understanding, the highway was in bad shape and District staff took the Minister of Transportation on a tour. Fast forward to Mayor Cam Reid’s days in 2006, and the Davis Bay Parkway Society really mobilized to see what could be done to maintain and revitalize Davis Bay as a jewel for the Sunshine Coast. Today we are here to open the linear park and to say thanks to Lockie Brock and the rest of your society for your hard work and perseverance.”
Brock, chairman of the DBPS, said the parkway is the only area of land where the public has access to the ocean along Highway 101 for the entire Sunshine Coast.
“It is known as the jewel of the Coast,” Brock said. “Two years ago the Davis Bay Parkway Society received permission from the Minister of Transportation to erect two signs declaring the area from here [Brookman Park] to Chapman Creek as a parkway. We were able to do this with support from Mayor Henderson and all of council. The Davis Bay Parkway Society will continue to advocate for other improvements in the area. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with the District of Sechelt.”
Brock also offered thanks to Perrett, for his “patience while we worked through the design” and Poynter for her wonderful design and dedicated the signs to all the people of the Sunshine Coast.
“Lastly I would like to thank my friend Sue [Adams, vice-chair of the DBPS]. Your heart is in these signs,” Brock said.
Construction on the Davis Bay wharf expansion and improvement project started on Thursday, May 29, and should be completed in six to eight weeks.
