News Release
Ban on Campfires in Effect Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Noon
July 15, 2025
Fire Chiefs from Sunshine Coast fire departments in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour and Egmont are advising residents that a campfire ban will be effective 12:00 noon Thursday July 17, 2025 across the Sunshine Coast.
In addition to this prohibition, the Coastal Fire Centre will maintain the current Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibitions.
This includes all fires whether for warmth or cooking and all beach fires, burning barrels, fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns.
A great resource explaining the different categories of open burning is available here online.
The campfire prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
This ban will be in place until Friday, October 31, 2025, or until the order is rescinded.
Please contact your local fire department for more information at www.scrd.ca/fire-departments
Minor Adjustments to Recreation Fees
July 14, 2025
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will be implementing minor adjustments to recreation drop-in admission fees, passes, and rental fees, effective August 1, 2025.
These adjustments are necessary to help SCRD recreation meet increased operating costs and inflation, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality recreation services to residents of the Sunshine Coast now and into the future. This is the first increase to drop-in admission and pass fees in over ten years.
Key Changes Effective August 1, 2025:
- Drop-in Admission Fees: All drop-in admission fees will increase by approximately 10 to 35 cents per person. For example:
- The adult aquatic and fitness drop-in rate will increase from $7.00 to $7.35.
- The adult ice skate drop-in will increase from $5.50 to $5.80.
- The drop-in fee to play pool at the Gibsons Community Centre will increase from $2.00 to $2.10.
- Fees for locker tokens and lock rentals at the facilities will remain unchanged at $0.50 and shower drop-in fees will remain unchanged at $3.
- Pass Fees: Examples include:
- The adult monthly MYPASS will increase from $51.25 to $53.80 per month (an increase of $2.55).
- The youth yearly MYPASS will increase from $39.00 to $40.95 per year (an increase of $1.95).
- The adult MYPASS 10 visit will increase from $63.00 to $66.15 (an increase of $3.15).
- Facility Rental Fees: Following this increase in 2025, facility rental fees for arenas, pools, birthday party.
packages, and multi-purpose rooms will increase by a similar amount on August 1, 2026. This is part of a multi-year approach to gradually bring these fees in line with industry standards. As a 2024 review indicated, SCRD rental rates were among the lowest in British Columbia.After August 1, 2025, rental fees will range from $15.75/hour to $31.50/hour and after August 1, 2026, will range from $16.55/hour to $33.75/hour. SCRD recreation staff have been working directly with facility users to let them know about these increases.
Community members with monthly passes set up for automatic renewal should note that their last automatic payment at the current rate will be in July 2025. To continue with automatic monthly renewals at the new rate, please check in with SCRD recreation staff after August 1, 2025.
More information about the fee changes, including a link to the relevant Bylaw, can be found at www.scrd.ca/fees-and-passes. An announcement about the changes will also be posted on the SCRD recreation webpage.
Stage 2 Water Conservation Regulations in Effect Friday, July 11
July 8, 2025
Effective Friday, July 11, 2025, and until further notice, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has declared Stage 2 water conservation regulations for water users on the Chapman (including Soames and Granthams), South Pender Harbour and Eastbourne water systems.
All other systems (Langdale, North Pender Harbour, Cove Cay, Egmont water systems) will remain at Stage 1 water conservation regulations until further notice.
If you are unsure of what water system you receive service from, enter your address into the map linked here to find out.
If you live in the Town of Gibsons, please visit www.gibsons.ca for water conservation regulations in that water service area.
Water conservation regulations help ensure that demand does not exceed the capacity of our water supply and distribution system and that there is always enough water for fire protection.
Stage 2 Watering Schedule:
Watering Lawns
- Not permitted.
Watering trees, shrubs or flowers
- Sprinkler or soaker hose, or micro-spray can be used two days per week:
- Even numbered addresses, Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.
- Odd numbered addresses, Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.
- Hand held hose with nozzle, hand held container or drip-irrigation can be used 4 hours per day from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Watering food producing plants and trees
- Sprinkler or soaker hose, or micro-spray can be used two days per week:
- Even numbered addresses, Thursday and Sunday for from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Odd numbered addresses, Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Hand held hose with nozzle, hand held container or drip-irrigation can be used any time.
Washing Vehicles or boats
- Permitted with container, hand-held hose with nozzle, or commercial car washes.
Washing sidewalks and driveways, windows, fences or exterior building surfaces
- Permitted only for preparing surfaces for painting or paving and for health and safety regulations.
Filling swimming pools, spas, garden ponds, or fountains
- Permitted.
“Water is about to stop flowing over the Chapman Lake dam,” says Remko Rosenboom, General Manager of Infrastructure Services. “With no snow remaining and ongoing warm, dry weather, we need to move to Stage 2 water conservation regulations without delay.”
With little rain in the forecast and hot weather expected to continue through summer, the SCRD is asking everyone to do their part at home to improve water efficiency—just as this community has done successfully in recent years.
Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details.
A reminder that staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form
Halfmoon Bay Community Hall Construction Underway
June 30, 2025
Construction kicked off in April for the Halfmoon Bay Community Hall Located in Connor Park / ch’emalaḵ. Since then, significant progress has been made with on-site preparation and initial construction.
Key milestones over the past two months include:
- The septic disposal field has been upgraded. This follows earlier utility work that included septic upgrades for the hall.
- A new water service has been installed.
- A new fire hydrant has been installed.
- A new power pole has been installed. This is part of the electrical connection utility work for the hall.
- The footings have been poured, and foundation walls have been formed.
Additionally, an older shed structure on the southwest side of the site, previously used as a washroom, has been dismantled, and the pit toilet has been fully decommissioned. This was done in a manner to ensure trees bordering the existing pit were not disrupted.
This project, which is largely funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, is moving forward on-time with the hall due to be available for the community by Summer 2026.
As work continues, visitors to Connor Park may see temporary changes to parking availability.
Stay connected and follow the hall’s progress on our online information hub at letstalk.scrd.ca/community-hall.
Ask questions anytime and watch as the hall takes shape!
Pender Harbour Food Waste Drop-Off Program Is Back
June 23, 2025
The Food Waste Drop-off Pilot Program at the Pender Harbour Transfer Station, is back effective immediately.
Food waste is recyclable and throwing it in the garbage not only increases the release of greenhouse gases but also reduces the usable space in the Sechelt Landfill. There are regulations in place that require food waste and other recyclables to be separated from garbage.
Visit www.scrd.ca/transfer-station and check out “what to know before you go” section for tips about what is accepted as food waste.
Open Burning Prohibition in Effect 2025
June 18, 2025
Open Burning Prohibition in Effect
As of May 30, the BC Wildfire Service has prohibited most open burning activities across the Sunshine Coast to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.
Prohibited until October 31, 2025 (or until rescinded) Category 2 open fires, including:
- One pile of burning material (max 2m high x 3m wide)
- Two piles burning at once (each max 2m high x 3m wide)
- Burning stubble or grass over areas ≤ 0.2 hectares
Also prohibited under the Wildfire Act (Section 12):
- Fireworks
- Binary exploding targets
- Burn barrels or burn cages
- Controlled air incinerators
- Air curtain burners
- Carbonizers
Still allowed:
- Category 1 Campfires (max 0.5m high x 0.5m wide)
- Gas, propane, or briquette stoves
If you light a campfire:
- Clear flammable debris around it
- Have at least 8L of water or a hand tool nearby to extinguish it
- See the map below for the affected area.
More information can be found here.
Let’s do our part to prevent wildfires this season!
Contact Us
Aidan Buckley
Manager, Communications and Engagement
Phone: 604-885-6800 Ext. 6123
Cellular: 604-885-8052
Email: aidan.buckley@scrd.ca