CloseThird Quarter Key Projects Update
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has released its 2025 third quarter reports covering work done from July 1 to September 30.
The information below shows a summary of highlights and is followed by information from each department. If you would like to read the full quarterly reports you can find them as part of the agenda package that is linked here.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
Halfmoon Bay Community Hall Construction
Construction of the new Halfmoon Bay Community Hall in Connor Park / ch’emalaḵ is progressing well. Wall framing and roofing are complete, with electrical and plumbing underway. Landscaping design continues. Completion remains on track for community use in Summer 2026.
Water Meter Installation – District of Sechelt
This $12 million project, installing 4,500 water meters in Sechelt, is now 94% complete. It supports volumetric billing, leak detection, and water conservation, marking a major step in modernizing aging regional water infrastructure.
Sports Field Strategy
The SCRD, in partnership with District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons, School District 46, and the shishalh Nation Government District undertook community engagement on a sports field strategy for the Sunshine Coast.
This strategy will assess current and future demands and trends to ensure the needs of our growing population and the community’s access to sports, continue to be met. The strategy will define the long-term vision and will provide recommendations to guide sports field management, allocation, and capital/operational investments over the next ten years. More information can be found at https://yoursaysechelt.ca/sportsfields.
SCRD Fire Departments
There was a total of 229 call outs for SCRD Fire Departments in this quarter. This was an increase of six calls when compared to 2024. Dedicated volunteer firefighters also logged a total of 2,620 training hours from July through to September.
What We Heard – OCP Renewal Report
Staff presented a comprehensive ‘What We Heard’ report in relation to the Official Community Plan Renewal Project. Over a 12-month period, staff engaged residents through 11 high-school workshops, 14 public events, and 1,290 survey responses, gathering input on housing, climate resilience, growth, transit and community character. These insights will shape the draft growth areas in early 2026. Read more about this project at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-renewal
Community Services
Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area
Planning for the 2025–2026 winter season continues, including volunteer recruitment and trail maintenance. Dakota Ridge remains a key outdoor recreation destination for the sunshine Coast, offering snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and lots of fun activities in a beautiful alpine setting.
Progress on bridge, trail and playground projects
Several projects were progressed in this quarter in our parks. These include;
- Landscape and environmental design was completed for the Coopers Green Park enhancements project.
- Design has been completed for the Vinebrook Bridge project.
- Out with the old and in with the new – furniture replacements were completed at SCRD community halls.
- The playground at Cedar Meadows Park was replaced.
Emergency and Protective Services
FireSmart Program
The FireSmart team completed 137 Home Ignition Zone assessments in this quarter and while many fuel treatments were held up due to the need for Songbird Nesting Surveys, they were still able to complete one treatment at Brookman Park. To date, the FireSmart team has removed over 200,000 lbs of debris through fuel treatments in communities across the Sunshine Coast. Community engagement grew in this quarter with staff attending several events including the Halfmoon Bay Fair, Sechelt Farmers Market and Pender Harbour Days.
Paid-On-Call Firefighter Compensation Implementation
SCRD Fire Departments successfully transitioned to a new paid-on-call model on August 1. This modern system compensates volunteer firefighters, improving recruitment, retention, and recognition of their time, skill, and growing emergency response demands.
Multimodal Evacuation Plan Development
Work advanced on the Sunshine Coast’s new evacuation plan and route system. Stakeholder consultations begin in the last quarter of 2025 to design coordinated, multi-route evacuation strategies enhancing regional emergency preparedness.
Emergency Management Modernization
The SCRD Emergency Program continued reviewing bylaws and procedures to align with new provincial emergency legislation. Recent Emergency Operation Centre activations, including during a summer heat event, tested improved coordination, cooling centre operations, and community communication systems.
Infrastructure Services
Watermain Replacements
Planning continues on several watermain replacement projects in Area A – Egmont / Pender Harbour. These projects will see old asbestos cement watermains replaced with modern ductile iron pipe.
Chapman Raw Water Pump Station Upgrades – Phases 1 and 2
A full retrofit of Chapman’s pump station will replace all pumps and controls, add a backup generator, and improve reliability. This critical upgrade ensures consistent water supply and operational resilience.
Sechelt / shíshálh Hospital Wellfield Development – Phase 1B
Following successful test well results, this project is advancing. A water license application was submitted to the Province in June, a land use agreement is being developed with Vancouver Coastal Health and engagement is ongoing with the shíshálh Nation.
Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant UV Upgrade – Phase 2
This $1.9 million upgrade adds redundant UV systems to meet regulatory standards and improve water safety. Construction is underway, with completion expected in early 2026, enhancing treatment reliability and public health protection.
Biocover Feasibility Study – Phase 2
A pilot study tested methane-reducing biocovers at Sechelt Landfill. Results will inform final cover decisions for 2030 closure, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions and provide economic and environmental benefits to the community.
Solid Waste Management Plan Review and Update
A public facing backgrounder and feedback form has been posted to the project’s webpage at letstalk.scrd.ca//trash for public feedback. Progress has been made on the Draft Plan and long-term disposal options have been presented to the Board. The beginning of engagement on the draft plan is anticipated in December, 2025.
Planning and Development
Land Use Inventory Project
The Land Use Study has completed its technical component and has now entered the outreach and engagement phase. Jointly funded by the SCRD and Habitat for Humanity, the project was launched in May 2025 in partnership with the SCRD and the District of Sechelt. It focuses on two key areas: developing a comprehensive inventory of underutilized land across the Sunshine Coast with potential for community housing or public amenities, including non-profit, faith-based, public, and institutional properties and engaging directly with landowners, governments, and organizations to identify partnership and development opportunities. A similar study was completed earlier this year for the Town of Gibsons.
Renewal of the SCRD’s Building and Plumbing Bylaw
A draft bylaw has been completed as the SCRD looks to review and identify improvements / updates to both SCRD Building Bylaw No. 687 and SCRD Plumbing Bylaw No. 400. The draft bylaw will be presented for consideration to the SCRD Board in November.
Coastal Flood Risk Mapping
A partnership with local governments to produce detailed flood maps for the Sunshine Coast. Results will guide future planning, emergency preparedness, and community education on coastal resilience and adaptation. Learn more at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/coastal-flooding.
The next major update on projects and initiatives will be provided in early 2026.