The Sunshine Coast Community Development Partnership Finds Unity Progress through partnership:

Our family of communities working for a diversified and sustainable future.

The Sunshine Coast Community Development Partnership, or SCCDP found a basis for unity at a series of focus sessions held June 27 and 28 in Sechelt. About 75 invited delegates from community economic development partnerships, all four local and regional governments, our chambers of commerce and business associations, the Sunshine Coast Labour Council, major Sunshine Coast employers, community organizations and several other interested organizations and individuals participated in these meetings.

The SCCDP began as a way to achieve sustainability for our three productive partnerships in Gibsons, Pender Harbour and Sechelt. Last June, facing the end of their 2-year contracts with Federal and Provincial governments and local funding partners, the three partnerships decided to form a Sunshine Coast-wide group that could both sustain the three existing partnerships and address community economic development issues having a coast-wide scope and perspective. Lacking the financial and human resources to pursue this initiative, they approached Community Futures to help lead and make it happen. A year of meetings, consultation, presentations, and solicitations to local government followed.

The recent meetings began with a discussion of what "community economic development", or CED means to residents of the lower Sunshine Coast. The consensus developed that the Sunshine Coast is ready for a regional approach. Sunshine Coast economic development must incorporate consideration for our primary resource sector as well as diversification of other aspects of our economy, particularly tourism. It must find ways to enhance existing Sunshine Coast business while seeking off-coast investment that comes with minimal environmental impact. But most importantly, this regional view must respect the social, cultural, environmental and other values that differentiate our family of communities.

The next questions were "How do we proceed", and "How do we measure success?" Participants from all quarters voiced a need to focus on action, not on more talk. They concurred that the best vehicle for action was a stand-alone, store front community development office with paid staff. They want a governance structure that broadly represents our communities and organizations. They want to consider other community development models to find useful elements that might address our situation. They want a new atmosphere of sharing and cooperation rather than parochialism and misunderstanding that divided us in the past. Of critical importance is that the SCCDP identify, support and complete one or two projects within the first year.

The second day of meetings was dedicated to consolidating the findings of the previous day and developing an action plan. It was agreed that we would seek a date in September for the official start of the SCCDP. It was decided to pursue three projects that are both coast-wide in perspective and well enough advanced that they could be completed within the year. They are the Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Project that has been developed by the Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Society for several years. Phase 1, consisting of road upgrades, a second parking area and toilet facilities may be completed this summer. With the assistance of this partnership, Phases 2 and 3 may be fast-tracked. Second is the Shared Use Facility, or Sunshine Coast Wood Enterprise Centre currently being pursued by a steering committee of committed advocates. The third is the ARTesia Project under the direction of the Coast Cultural Alliance. This recently-funded project is now underway. The new partnership will monitor developments and assist where required.

Not content to wait until September to move this partnership forward, participants identified governance, the need for a legal entity, funding issues, a mission statement, a communications strategy and budgeting matters as needing to be addressed as soon as possible. A committee of volunteers, community economic development partners and Community Futures was struck to address these issues before the end of July. Facilitator Ron Trepanier, (Executive Director of the Community Futures Development Association of B.C.) remarked in closing that he had not before encountered such a committed and energized group. Long may our enthusiasm endure!

For more information on this exciting new initiative, or if you would like to become involved, please call Community Futures at 885-1959. DJG