Most of us can agree that the Sunshine Coast is a pretty special place to live.
We have nature at our front door — wildlife, trees, water and mountains. We have recreation, arts and cultural venues, events, groups and activities in abundance all year long that serve to bolster our lives and the lives of our visitors. We also have a great community to raise a family in, good schools, clean water and citizens who fight for the rights to protect this beautiful place.
The Sunshine Coast is at a bit of a crossroads. There are several economic opportunities that have been fostered by many like-minded community folks that have been embraced. The Persephone Brewing Farm is one, the recently launched Coast Car Co-op is another, and let’s not forget about the soon-to-be-opened Gibsons Public Market.
There are several others in the mix, including a possible hotel at the Sechelt Golf Club, the proposed George Hotel in Lower Gibsons, a winery in Selma Park, possible expansion of the Sechelt airport and many housing developments up and down the Coast.
Debate on these projects continues and has been heated as residents weigh in on the merits of the projects. But we wonder whether some are fighting the good fight for self-serving reasons and not truly for the betterment of our community.
It was interesting sitting in at the VOICE on the Coast annual general meeting last Saturday night. More than 200 residents from all walks of life were on hand. The energy in the room was positive and exciting.
Shelley McDade from the Sunshine Coast Credit Union presented an economic snapshot of the Sunshine Coast comparing the Coast to four other similar communities. McDade based the comparison on a number of factors and statistics. The Sunshine Coast ranked in the middle of the pack — and none of the other four communities ranked too high, either.
So what does it all mean? According to McDade, it means that other communities are struggling, too — and fighting for their own big slice of the economic pie.
She asked the question at the end of the night: “How do we make sure that we are the ones at the top of the investor list or the retiree who wants to come here or the top of the list for the new family that wants to come here? Collectively we have to work together to ensure we can place ourselves in the right position.”
Her words ring so true.
Do we want the Sunshine Coast to just be ‘middle of the pack’ or do we want the Coast to grow and prosper and be the king of the jungle?
When opportunities come along we have to find a way to embrace them and not just dismiss them.
Our future is in our own hands. The time to seize these opportunities is now.
