Area D: Roberts Creek

Population         3,307 (2006 Census)
Growth rate       7% (2002 Census)
Dwellings          1,356 occupied private dwellings
Area                 143.6 sq. km.

Roberts Creek is a residential and beach area located between the Elphinstone area and the District of Sechelt. It is known for its 9-km of shoreline, much of which includes sandy swimming beaches, and the Roberts Creek Mandala which is re-painted each year by 300 residents and visitors. The Roberts Creek community is centered around small shops and restaurants which provide a distinct village ambiance. The Roberts Creek Community Hall, a popular venue for dances, meetings and other events, was built in 1934 and is owned, operated and maintained by the community.

The area includes a paved bike path that runs parallel to the highway; a golf course, Cliff Gilker Park, a family-oriented hiking area.

Roberts Creek is also the location for several important regional amenites including Dakota Ridge, a winter recreation area offering 12-km of groomed snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, the "Sechelt" landfill, the SCRD's water intake and Seaview cemetery. 

Director: Donna Shugar

Donna Shugar was elected as Director for Area D - Roberts Creek, in November 2005. This is Donna’s second term of office. She served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors from December 2006-December 2008 when she was elected Chair.

Donna is Chair of the Planning and Development Committee and sits on the Joint Use of Schools Sub-Committee, and the Joint Watershed Management Committee; she is liaison for the Social Planning Task Force and with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partners for Climate Protection Council.

A resident of Roberts Creek since 1976, Donna worked on the original Roberts Creek Official Settlement Plan and the subsequent Roberts Creek Official Community Plan. She was alternate to Director Adrian Belshaw prior to her election, and also served for six years as the Chair of the Roberts Creek Official Community Plan Commission.

Other volunteer contributions include; holding an executive position on the Roberts Creek Community Association and the Roberts Creek and Chatelech Parent Advisory Committee, volunteering with the Roberts Creek Library and holding a Board position with the Sunshine Coast Arts Council. For six years, Donna was a community representative on the Mt. Elphinstone Land and Resource Use Planning process.

Donna has worked as a teacher of special needs children, a day care supervisor, a teacher of adults training to work in early childhood education, a social worker and manager of the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt. In addition to her work as a Director, she also manages her husband Ken’s home based piano services business.

Following the completion of a Masters Degree and an Education degree at the University of Sussex in England, Donna spent some time traveling in Asia and eventually found her way to the Sunshine Coast, where the quiet life style, and the opportunity to live off the land, provided an attractive contrast to the hectic urban life of her native Montreal.

Donna finds tremendous satisfaction working in her garden and takes great delight in serving meals of the food she has grown. Walking, yoga, and reading the abundant works of fine Canadian literature are other ways she balances the intensity of a Director’s work.

Donna has been married to local musician Ken Dalgleish since 1984. They have two beautiful daughters, Johanna who is a contemporary dance student in Ottawa, and Davis who is in grade 11 at Elphinstone Secondary School.