Media are often accused of focusing only on the negative stories and leading with the worst news possible, as scandal and sensationalism sell newspapers. In many cases, that is true, so this week we offer just what the doctor ordered - a solid dose of good news stories.
It's been quite the few weeks on the Coast. On April 8, ground was finally broken on the long-awaited and much-anticipated housing project for the Arrowhead Society. The fine folks at Arrowhead, led by board chair Bob Smith, have been working closely with community stakeholders and local and provincial governments for many years to get the necessary funding and permits in place. On more than one occasion, we're pretty sure Smith questioned whether the day would ever come when ground would finally be broken. But that day did come. And in a few months time, Arrowhead will have a wonderful housing project and clubhouse to continue the good work they do for so many in this community.
The ground breakings continued last Friday (April 16) on another project that many questioned would ever get started - the expansion to St. Mary's Hospital.
We recall a few years ago when the Back the CAT campaign was started, spearheaded by Bill Hubbs and the Hospital Foundation, and the enormous fundraising efforts that went in to getting a CT scanner for the hospital. The fundraising has continued for other vital equipment for the expansion, and all the while, behind the scenes, Vancouver Coastal Health, the province and the hospital board were working out the details on the expansion plans. What a great relief it certainly was to all the hospital foundation volunteers, auxiliary members and hospital staff when the shovels went into the dirt last Friday. By this time next year, the Sunshine Coast will be close to a new, state-of-the art facility, one that we can be even more proud of.
Also last Friday, Howe Sound Pulp and Paper received $6-million of a promised $45-million from the federal government. The funding not only allows the mill an opportunity to invest green energy into its operations, making it the largest renewable electricity producer in B.C., it allows the mill to remain competitive and viable in an ever-changing market-place, retaining 450 jobs - jobs that would have almost certainly been lost had it not been for this funding.
All of these "good news" stories have one common theme - co-operation. Co-operation from the community and government pulling on the rope together to make our community better. Let's keep this good news flowing. Let's continue to work together. By doing so, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
