Changes are coming to Coopers Green Hall –– if not on the floor, then behind the scenes.
The Halfmoon Bay Community Association (HBCA) is taking over management of the 1,000-square-foot facility from owner Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).
The target date for the transition is Nov. 1. The SCRD estimates it will be taking bookings up to Oct. 16, before that duty is transferred to the hall’s new operators, the SCRD said in a Sept. 5 press release.
The two parties are finalizing a renewable 10-year licence-to-occupy agreement for the facility. Under that, the SCRD will continue to maintain its park areas and trees in the hall’s vicinity and will provide property insurance.
The association held a special meeting on Aug. 19 to acquire direction from its membership on the agreement that will see the HBCA take on operations of the 82-person capacity hall and the adjacent washroom facilities. It is to become responsible for: maintaining the structures and septic system, related utility and fee payments, liability insurance and legal compliance, and ensuring the hall operations adhere to SCRD regulations. Those services are to be designed to ensure the hall can serve the community needs that it has met in the past, including music and heritage events, meetings and community activities, and celebrations, such as weddings, life events and birthdays.
“This agreement allows this cherished community hub to continue operating for residents,” the release stated. Details about the future operations of the hall are available via the HBCA website, halfmoon-bay.ca and further inquiries can be sent by email to [email protected].
Will there be upgrades at the hall?
As for future updates to the hall, originally constructed in 1984, the HBCA says they’ve been developing a plan for upgrades and improvements to the hall.
“Many of these ideas came from last year’s community survey, which brought in nearly 100 responses,” said a post in April on the HBCA website. “Our goal is to begin this work in September and carry it through next spring. Planned updates include expanding the kitchen, replacing the sheds, improving acoustics, lighting, and flooring in the main hall, repairing siding and adjusting washroom access.”
But the status of those projects remains to be determined. "As per the terms and conditions of the agreement, any alterations or additions to the Hall will require the approval of the SCRD Board,” a Sept. 3 email to Coast Reporter from the SCRD communications department read. “We are unable to comment on timelines, but staff will support the HBCA through due process and ultimately the request would be placed on an SCRD Board agenda for the Board's consideration. Once approval has been secured, the HBCA would be responsible for securing all necessary permits, licenses and other authorizations.”
Also pending finalization is the SCRD's washroom enhancement project at Coopers Green Park. That is in the planning phase with "a report for the final design and cost estimate for a washroom building with flushable toilets that are not connected to a sewerage system" to come forward to an upcoming committee meeting for consideration.
The SCRD washroom build is slated to be completed in the third quarter of 2025, the email noted. It also detailed that the HBCA has asked that the hall washrooms be available for groups that have rented the hall only and closed to general park access.
