The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is inviting community volunteers to join the 12th Annual Trash Bash event which takes place on Saturday, September 27. 

This year, the event will focus on cleaning up illegal dump sites in the forests from Roberts Creek to West Howe Sound and the Town of Gibsons. 

Since the event launched in 2012, over 56 tonnes of illegally dumped material has been hauled out of forests and backroads and disposed of responsibly at the landfill. Each year, an average of 30 to 40 volunteers help clean up a different area of the Sunshine Coast. The last event focused on Halfmoon Bay and Sechelt and parts of Roberts Creek.  

“This event helps keep our community free of harmful waste and brings attention to the fact that dumping waste such as garbage, hazardous waste and even green waste is illegal,” says Andrea Patrao, SCRD Solid Waste Programs Coordinator. “The materials collected each year range from garbage and scrap metal, tires and free to recycle electronics and appliances.” 

Pre-registration for the event is required at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/trash-bash. Complete the registration form and find out more about this event. Questions can be directed to infrastructure@scrd.ca or phone 604-885-6806.  

Once registered, volunteers are asked to sign-in on September 27 at 10:00 a.m. at Shirley Macey Park,  930 Chamberlin Road, West Howe Sound. Volunteers will be treated to a free lunch and will have a chance to win great prizes.  

To learn more about the issue of illegal dumping and how to report dump sites in the region, the SCRD invites the public to view the “Stop Illegal Dumping” video made in partnership with the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities at www.scrd.ca/illegal-dumping.  

Residents are advised to report an illegal dump site to the BC Conservation Service RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line at 1-877-952-7277 or www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/rapp.  

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is pleased to announce a significant step towards ensuring the continued operation of Coopers Green Hall through an upcoming agreement with the Halfmoon Bay Community Association (HBCA). This agreement allows this cherished community hub to continue operating for residents.

The SCRD and HBCA are working towards a November 1^st turnover of the operations of the hall.  Hall bookings, with the SCRD are available until October 19.

The License to Occupy agreement is set for an initial term of 10 years, with an option for a further 10-year renewal.

The agreement outlines distinct responsibilities and obligations for both the SCRD and the HBCA. The SCRD grants the license, owns the property, maintains park vicinity/trees, and provides property insurance.

The HBCA operates the community hall and washrooms, pays utilities/fees, maintains the premises and septic system, ensures legal compliance, and holds liability insurance. All hall operations will adhere strictly to applicable regulations outlined in Bylaw 722.

The services provided by the HBCA will include activities designed to serve the needs of the community, including:

• Arts and heritage events
• Celebrations, such as weddings, life events, and birthdays
• Music events general community activities

If you have any questions about the operations of the hall, please contact the Halfmoon Bay Community Association at info@halfmoon-bay.ca. For information about the HBCA visit, https://halfmoon-bay.ca.

There’s just over two weeks left to add your voice to those who have already provided their input on the SCRD’s Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal Project.  

Before we continue, a reminder on what an OCP is. An OCP is like a roadmap for the future. It guides how our communities grow, evolve, and respond to change. Whether it’s planning neighbourhoods, determining housing options, protecting the environment, developing parks, or preparing for the impacts of climate change, the OCP sets the course for decision-making that affects everyone, now and for generations to come.  

If you have been at an event this summer on the Sunshine Coast, like Creek Daze, the Sechelt Farmers Market, the Pender Harbour Wooden Boat Show, Sunshine Coast Pride and more, chances are you have seen our staff chatting about the OCP renewal. Or maybe you’ve come across our team at a beach, a park, or outside one of your favourite shops. SCRD staff have spoken to nearly 700 residents in person at 13 events to date across the Sunshine Coast.  

Online, there has been 370 responses to the community questionnaire and nearly 100 people have checked out the virtual map and provided their input there.  

So what are we asking? Well questions such as; How should your neighbourhood evolve? How can we protect what makes our communities special? How will climate change shape where and how we live? 

If you have not yet provided your input then this is how you can do so.  

• Staff will be at the Sunshine Coast Labour Council picnic at Dougall Park in Gibsons on Monday, September 1. The event takes place from 11 am to 2pm.  
• You can answer our questionnaire at letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-renewal. 
• Even if you have already answered the questionnaire, we ask that residents take some time to check out the virtual map and provide your input. You can check out the map by clicking here. Both the map and the survey will remain open until Sunday, September 14 for your input.  

Stay tuned for a summary report that will be presented to the SCRD Board in October about ‘What We Heard’ during this round of Engagement. This summary report will combine with other information to inform the next phase of the project.  

A second round of engagement is expected to take place between January and March 2026.  

Let your voice be heard – help shape the future of the Sunshine Coast! 

Due to ongoing staffing challenges and a continued shortage of available lifeguards, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will be adjusting pool operating hours in September. These changes are necessary to maintain safe and reliable service across our facilities. 

Seasonal Shifts in Staffing
As many of our dedicated Aquatic staff return to school or other fall commitments, we are actively recruiting new lifeguards and instructors to join our team. Interviews are underway, and we look forward to welcoming fresh faces to our facilities soon. As new staff join our aquatics team, we will review pool schedules and adjust hours accordingly.  

Pender Harbour Aquatic and Fitness Centre – Effective September 2 

Beginning September 2, weekday daytime hours at the Pender Harbour Pool will be adjusted to meet staffing availability. However, following requests from the community, we are pleased to offer new weekend hours, giving families and community members more opportunities to enjoy the pool during their free time.  

Swim Lessons Update  

Swim lessons at Pender Harbour are temporarily paused while we welcome and train new instructors over the coming weeks. We are committed to resuming lessons as soon as staffing allows and will share updates as they become available. 

Adjusted hours for the Pender Harbour Aquatic and Fitness Centre can be found below. 

Monday & Tuesday
Pool and Gym: 7:00am – 1:00pm / 3:30pm – 8:00pm 

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Pool: 7:00 am to 8:30 am and 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Gym: 7:00 am – 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm 

Saturday & Sunday
Pool and Gym:  10:00am – 4:00pm 

Sechelt Aquatic Centre – Effective September 7 

Hours for the Sechelt Aquatic Centre can be found below. The reduction in hours will result in the pool being closed on Sundays through September.  

Monday & Friday
Pool: 6:00am – 1:30pm
Gym: 6:00 am – 8:30 pm 

Tuesday & Thursday
Pool: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Gym: 6:00 am – 8:30 pm 

Wednesday
Pool: 6:00am – 7:00pm
Gym: 6:00 am – 8:30 pm 

Saturday
Pool: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Gym: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 

Sunday
Pool: Closed
Gym: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm 

Gibsons and District Aquatic Facility – Effective September 7 

The Gibsons pool will see an increase in hours through September. These are outlined below.  

Monday
12:30pm – 7:30pm

Tuesday  to Friday
6:30am – 1:00pm 

Saturday closed 

Sunday
10:00am – 4:30pm 

Staying informed 

• Visit the website: www.scrd.ca/recreation  
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Subscribe to RecCONNECT, the SCRD’s email newsletter. A special edition will be sent with the Pender Harbour swim lesson registration start date and time 

The SCRD thanks residents for their patience and understanding as efforts continue to recruit qualified aquatics staff. 

If you are a qualified lifeguard or know someone who is, you are encouraged to apply. Please check by visiting www.scrd.ca/careers for the next recruitment period. 

Media Enquiries:
Aidan Buckley
Manager, Communications and Engagement
Sunshine Coast Regional District
Phone: 604 885 8052
Email: aidan.buckley@scrd.ca 

Due to a heat warning on the Sunshine Coast, airconditioned spaces are being made available for the community to take some time out of the heat.

The following locations are available:

Gibsons & Area Community Centre Lobby – 700 Park Road, Gibsons – Map

Check here for facility opening and closing hours.

Sechelt Aquatic Centre Lobby – 5500 Shorncliffe Avenue, Sechelt – Map

Check here for facility opening and closing hours.

Further information on other areas to stay cool in the heat can be found here on the B.C. Provincial Government website and include shopping malls, libraries and shaded green spaces. At this link you can also find information on how to prepare your home for heat.

The community is also encouraged to check in on neighbours and friends while the heat warning is in effect.

Here is a great resource for staying healthy in the heat.

Stay up to date with information from the SCRD at www.scrd.ca/emergency-program.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has released its 2025 second quarter reports covering work done from April through to June, highlighting progress on several key projects for the region by department.  

Community Services 

Halfmoon Bay Community Hall Construction: Site preparation and foundational work are underway. Utility upgrades are complete, and a landscape consultant has been hired. This project, due for completion later in 2026, will provide a brand-new space for events, meetings and social gatherings available for the entire community on the Sunshine Coast. 

Seaview Cemetery Site Work: Work has begun on adding new ground burial plots and columbaria within the existing operating area at Seaview Cemetery. The purpose of this project is to meet the community’s near-term burial needs. This project is expected to be completed by end of 2025.

Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility Planning: In partnership with BC Transit, planning continues for a new operations facility and temporary offsite satellite parking. This infrastructure investment aims to boost regional transit capacity and operational efficiency in response to future service demands.

Dock Renovations: Renovations for Hopkins Landing dock are on track, with construction set for fall 2025. Planning for float replacement will begin later this year. Renovations to the Keats Landing dock are set for fall 2025 to reinstate vehicular traffic loads on the dock. 

2025 Transit Service Expansion: Extra trips connecting Langdale and Sechelt (Route 90) on weekends commenced in June 2025.  Route 90 and handyDART will see service increases in early 2026, pending new bus arrivals. Weekday Route 90 frequency will shift to every 30 minutes from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Corporate and Administrative Services 

Hybrid Meeting and Boardroom Upgrades: A new audio-visual system went live on June 12, 2025, enhancing hybrid public meetings in the Administration Building Boardroom.

2025–2029 Financial Plan Adoption: The SCRD adopted Budget Bylaw and Financial Plan 772 in mid-February. The plan outlines corporate priorities and financial direction for five years.

Maintaining COR Certification: HR prepared for the July 2025 Certificate of Recognition audit to retain certification, with the Health & Safety Coordinator completing internal auditor training. 

Emergency and Protective Services 

911 Communications Infrastructure Upgrade: The 911 Emergency Telephone System is undergoing vital upgrades. Five new radio frequencies have been successfully acquired to improve redundancy and support future radio enhancements.

FireSmart Fuel Treatment and Community Resiliency: The FireSmart Program is actively conducting extensive fuel treatments across the region, removing significant amounts of debris. A major milestone was achieved for the FireSmart program with the region’s first Certified FireSmart Home.

Paid-on-Call Firefighter Transition: A significant transition is underway for the SCRD Fire Departments with the Paid-on-Call (POC) project, aiming to improve personnel recruitment and retention. Payroll and Human Resources support went live on August 1, 2025, marking a key shift in firefighter compensation. 

Regional Fire Department Training: Regional fire departments are collaborating on joint training programs to enhance skills and interoperability. These include a regional recruit bootcamp, live fire training, and participation in large-scale wildfire exercises like Operation Peak Preparedness, strengthening regional emergency response capabilities. 

Infrastructure Services 

Water Meter Installation – Phase 3 (District of Sechelt)
83% of the 4,500 water meters are now installed in the District of Sechelt. This project will enable future volumetric billing and long-term water sustainability through leak detection and conservation. 

Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital Wellfield Development – Phase 1B
This regional project aims to confirm and develop a viable groundwater source through larger test wells. Engagement with the shíshálh Nation and provincial regulators is ongoing. 

Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant UV Upgrade – Phase 2
This $1.9 million project adds redundancy to the existing UV disinfection system to meet provincial health regulations. Construction is on schedule, with site work expected in Q3 and full commissioning in 2026. 

Chapman, Edwards, and McNeill Lake Dam Safety Upgrades
This multi-year safety upgrade project is nearing completion, with final valve replacement at Chapman Lake scheduled for summer 2025. 

Solid Waste Management Plan Review and Update
This comprehensive update to the 2011 Solid Waste Management Plan incorporates public feedback and new waste reduction strategies. Draft plan completion is expected in Q4 2025, guiding long-term sustainability across the region. 

Planning and Development 

Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal
Public engagement launched in June 2025, with summer outreach underway. The project team is integrating technical data, youth input, and growth criteria to guide long-term land use planning. 

Land Use Inventory for Housing
A comprehensive inventory of underutilized lands began in May 2025, identifying potential sites for housing and amenities. The project being done in collaboration with the District of Sechelt includes outreach to public, nonprofit, and faith-based landowners and concludes October 2025. 

Building and Plumbing Bylaw Renewal
A review is underway to identify improvements / updates to both SCRD Building Bylaw No. 687 and SCRD Plumbing Bylaw No. 400. A draft of the bylaw is currently being finalized.  

Coastal Flood Risk Mapping
In partnership with District of Sechelt and the Town of Gibsons s, the SCRD is developing maps showing current and future flood hazards to inform land use planning.  In April, the sustainable development team were at Earth Day in Roberts Creek to chat with the community about this important project.  

The next major update on projects and initiatives will be provided in October.