News that funding has been secured for the initial phase of the Sechelt marine access project has members of the committee excited about the economic impact for the community.
"Overall I think it's going to be the future of Sechelt," committee member Al Mulholland said.
Mulholland, executive director of Community Futures Development Corporation of the Sunshine Coast (CFDC), has been a strong proponent of the economic development of Sechelt for several years.
According to Mulholland, what separates this effort from past attempts to develop Sechelt's marine potential is the commitment of the partnership making up the Sechelt Marine Access Committee.
For the first time business people, the merchants of Sechelt, the District of Sechelt and the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) are onside to bring economic development to Sechelt's waterfronts.
And this level of participation has brought funds from the federal government's Western Economic Diversification Canada (WED) totalling $65,000. The remaining $50,000 to cover the initial project will come from the other partnership members. The district has pledged $17,500, as has the SIB. The Sechelt Downtown Business Association (SDBA) along with CFDC are committed to $5,000 each, and the Sechelt Economic Development Partnership is providing $7,000.
The first use for the WED funds will be an environmental impact assessment on both Sechelt Inlet and Georgia Strait. Along with that study, an engineering design will be done. The project needs to identify additions such as breakwaters necessary to expand current activities.
And the partnership will consult with the community to find out what economic generators are wanted.
Already there have been calls for a hotel and convention centre in the area, a marina in Selma Park and better water access to Sechelt. The lack of docking slips for tourism and fishing boats is a concern voiced by members of the partnership. The SIB has begun plans for a 300-slip marina in Selma Park. And a need for a walkway between Selma Park and the existing pier project in Sechelt has been added to the list.
Along with these needs, two other long-term projects brought more strength to the committee. The Sunshine Coast Rotary Club had volunteered to construct a youth waterfront park in partnership with the District of Sechelt. The Rotarians, to that end, had pledged $100,000 in funds and labour. And the SDBA was trying to revitalize the downtown core of Sechelt. In order to proceed with their plans for beautification of Sechelt, the SDBA needed help in making marketing and business plans. It also needed a common theme to unify the town. These needs will be met with help from WED and through community consultation.
In order to get the message out to the public, the marine access committee will soon have its own website up and running. Information and minutes of committee meetings will be accessible at www.secheltmarineaccess.ca in the near future.
Another committee member, Chris McNaughton, said the first steps would involve public meeting forums to develop a 25-year marine access strategy.
"The potential economic benefits are significant. The impact will be enormous as we develop the marine access," he said.
For Sechelt band representative Sid Quinn, the project is one whose time has come.
"If the residents of Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast plan marine access properly, it will lead to responsible use of foreshore area while protecting the values important to our community," Quinn said.
