Editor:
Recently the Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce asked local businesses to participate in their Business Walk, determining each business’s successes, barriers, and solutions to improving business in the community.
Scrolling through their website, I was dismayed to discover their statement supporting the George Hotel and Residences.
The Chamber exists for the benefit of small business on the Coast. I believe their statement of approval for this project to be in contradiction to that mission.
A Landing business owner for seven years, the majority of feedback I’ve received from visitors over the years is that their reason for coming to Gibsons is to get away from urbanization, for the small village feel of the Landing, and the accessibility of the waterfront.
They’ve expressed enthusiasm for a waterfront hotel in the Landing, but shock at the proposed height and scale of the George.
Gibsons needs to look to successful community plans such as Steveston and Tofino before giving approval to this project. We need to urgently take off the blinders and realize that the George will be a precedent for continued and similar development on our waterfront.
There’s a very good reason why Gibsons Landing sidewalks, as opposed to Sechelt’s, are bustling with strolling visitors on a sunny day! By all means, let’s have a waterfront hotel – let’s give it a “wow” factor. Gibsons council needs to get with the program. The biggest draw for hotels and accommodation features environmentally innovative plans designed to fit beautifully and spectacularly into their natural surroundings, not jut out and up grotesquely as does the George.
In short, Gibsons Chamber, the proposed George Hotel is definitely a barrier to my growth as a business and some smart development would be a big “solution” to improving all business on the Coast.
Joanne Jaeger, Gibsons
