Brian Lee
Since 2011, local governments on the Coast have been kicking around the idea of partnering to develop our economy. Over the ensuing six years there have been countless reports and discussions undertaken by the four partners ― the Town of Gibsons, District of Sechelt, Sechelt Indian Government District and the SCRD. So it’s welcome news that all have signed off on an agreement that will see each contribute to the not-for-profit Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization.
For each of the next four years, SCREDO will receive $291,865 (Area A will contribute $37,589 per year) with a mandate to:
• Increase the number of growing businesses;
• Increase the number of quality career opportunities, and
• Reduce economic disparity.
But now that SCREDO is finally ready to test its wings, it’s ironic that the 2008 downturn that nurtured it seems to have turned back on itself. Now, if you ask local tourism operators, it isn’t a lack of visitors that threatens their season, it’s a lack of housing for the staff they need to work for them. I’ve heard other business owners complain about not being able to attract or retain skilled employees because they can’t find a place to live. Suddenly, it seems the obstacle to economic growth isn’t economic at all, it’s our infrastructure ― housing, parking, cell service and the condition of our roads.
Hopefully SCREDO will find ways to diversify the Sunshine Coast’s seasonal economy but until then, tourism and the real estate market ― with its accompanying trades work ― will continue to drive employment. And those visitors should have the option of leaving their car for a water taxi ride or an overnight kayak trip but we’re not providing it. There’s also a growing number of fishermen, gravel pit employees and loggers who need to park near water access points to get to work. But Garden Bay, Madeira Park, Egmont and Irvines Landing all lack sufficient parking for a busy day.
We’re not the only community struggling with popularity. I recall jogging back to the water taxi in Lund one summer weekend after parking at the end of a kilometre of cars lining Highway 101. Luckily, Lund’s highway boasts wide shoulders ― ours leave barely enough room to walk, let alone park.
And they are in an atrocious state of disrepair ― they’re jarring if you’re in a car and dangerous as hell if you’re not. The maintenance of our roads has been a patchwork of procrastination for so long that the cost to repair the sloughing, the sunken depressions and crumbling asphalt is likely out of reach of our MoTI budgets. One of the fastest growing destinations for visitors is Egmont; but don’t suffer a medical emergency at the Skookumchuck because your cell phone won’t work to call for help.
I’d like to think our regional and provincial governments could come together to tackle these problems, but I’m afraid by the time they agree on a plan, the boom cycle will have turned back to bust and we’d need to start all over again.
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