Editor:
This year, Sechelt’s Canada Day did not include fireworks. This has been talked about at great length on the local Facebook pages, but basically boils down to a couple of reasons. Fireworks cost money – a lot of money. The show in 2016, which was paid for by funding to celebrate the District of Sechelt’s 30th anniversary, cost $10,000 for a 15-minute fireworks show. That same money can be spent in so many ways in our community or at our events, to give us more than 15 minutes worth of value.
In addition, everything that happens in Sechelt on Canada Day is organized and put on by volunteers, and the Sechelt Downtown Business Association (SDBA) and other community groups frequently struggle to find enough volunteers to put everything on. If people want fundraising to happen to organize fireworks for next year, then someone needs to step forward to bang on everyone’s doors, set up at events downtown, whatever it takes, in order to raise the $10,000 needed.
Perhaps someone who recently sold everything in the city and moved up here at a fraction of the price will feel benevolent and privately fund a fireworks show. But in the meantime, to get the ball rolling, I’ve started a campaign at www.gofundme.com/secheltfireworks2018. Anyone who doesn’t want to use a credit card online can reach out to me or to the SDBA to make an in-person contribution.
Let’s see if we can make fireworks happen for Canada Day 2018!
Alton Toth, Sechelt
