The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is experiencing staffing challenges at pools and a shortage of available lifeguards to support current operating hours. In an effort to provide stable operations and a reliable schedule for our valuable patrons, effective August 3, 2025, operating hours will be adjusted for both the Gibsons and Sechelt pools.  

Lifeguards are crucial for ensuring the safety of all patrons during pool use, meaning that pools cannot remain open without the required lifeguard coverage.  

The reduced operating schedule is as follows: 

Sechelt Pool
Sunday: 10:00am – 4:30pm
Monday: 6:00am – 1:30pm
Tuesday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Wednesday: 6:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 4:30pm 

Gibsons Pool
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 12:30pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday to Friday: 6:30am – 1:00pm
Saturday: Closed 

Lifeguard recruitment, retention and securing a staffing base with sufficient availability to support current operating hours continues to be a challenge, recently resulting in last minute closures of pools.  The temporary change in operating hours, while resulting in a reduction in service, is intended to offer consistent operational hours that our patrons can count on while recruitment and training efforts continue.  

The SCRD continues to offer lifeguard certification courses, and while the August courses are already full, staff are planning for additional offerings.  The goal is to build a larger pool of qualified staff for future scheduling needs. Several job postings will be available at www.scrd.ca/careers in the coming weeks.  

“We know how important pools are to the community, and we are doing everything we can to keep them open and running safely,” says, Shelley Gagnon, General Manager of Community Services. “This is not an issue that can be solved overnight, and we want our community to know we are doing all we can to stabilize operations to provide reliable service levels with a view to being able to increase the operating hours in a manner that is sustainable.” 

The SCRD appreciates the community’s patience and understanding during this time as we work towards being able to provide more reliable service at our pools. The SCRD will provide further updates on pool hours in late August. 

If you are a qualified lifeguard or know someone who is, you are encouraged to apply by visiting www.scrd.ca/careers. 

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is calling on residents on the South Pender Harbour, Eastbourne and Chapman water systems to be very mindful of their water consumption, particularly during the upcoming long weekend.

Despite current Stage 2 water conservation regulations, water use in these water systems remains high. At this time of the year these systems are rain dependent, and as there is no substantial amount of rain in the forecast, these three systems are experiencing increased seasonal pressures.

Current consumption levels mean that residents are using more water than these systems can sustainably supply. This is particularly concerning given that there is no rain in sight and the current warm weather is expected to stay with us for the foreseeable future.

“Reducing water use is critical,” said Rosenboom. “It’s not just about following regulations, it’s about working together to ensure we have enough safe, clean water for drinking, (wild) fire protection, and essential services, now and in several months from now.”

Under Stage 2 water conservation regulations, lawn watering with a sprinkler, soaker hose, hose with nozzle, hand watering, or micro-spray is prohibited, and the SCRD is urging all users to:

• Review irrigation times to make sure they are necessary, aim to reduce watering times by 25-50%, especially for large systems.
• Prioritize food gardens over landscaping and use stored rainwater when possible.
• Try to avoid flushing when you don’t have to – and consider employing the cottage life mantra: ‘If it’s yellow, let it mellow’.
• Avoid washing vehicles, boats, or equipment unless absolutely necessary.
• Reschedule non-essential maintenance until the fall.
• Fix any leaking pipes or fixtures as soon as you are aware of them.

Whether it’s small actions such as taking a shorter shower or bigger actions like only using the water you really need in your garden, all actions add up. 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

Mock water bills are now in the mail for residents in the North and South Pender Water Service Areas.

These mock bills are part of the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s (SCRD) effort to help residents understand water usage and what future charges will look like under the new volumetric billing system coming in 2026.

We know residents will have questions, and SCRD staff are here to help. Here are a few ways to learn more and connect with SCRD staff:

Online information space – You can learn more about the volumetric billing project and ask questions at any time at letstalk.scrd.ca/water-billing.

 Your mock bill explained – Check out this resource that helps to explain the information on your mock bill.

Come chat with us in person at the Pender Harbour Wooden Boat Show on Saturday, August 9. SCRD staff will be onsite to answer any questions residents may have about the shift to volumetric billing.

If you are not at the Pender Harbour Wooden Boat Show and would like to ask questions directly to SCRD staff, join us for an online information session from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13.

Information, including links to join, will be available at letstalk.scrd.ca/water-billing and at www.scrd.ca prior to the session taking place.

We look forward to chatting and answering questions!

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is moving forward with major structural repairs to the Keats Landing Dock, with construction scheduled to begin in Fall 2025.

The dock has been closed to vehicle traffic since October 2023, after a structural inspection identified significant damage to two load-bearing piles. The SCRD Board has approved a project budget of $510,487 and following a competitive bidding process, awarded the construction contract to Salish Sea Industrial Services Ltd.

“This project is about safety, reliability, and making sure the Keats community continues to have the infrastructure it depends on,” says Shelley Gagnon, General Manager, Community Services. “We appreciate the community’s patience and are excited to move forward with these essential repairs.”

Updates on construction timing, access impacts, and progress will be shared at www.scrd.ca/docks. Pedestrian and vessel access will be maintained where it is safe to do so, and any necessary closures or limited access to the dock will be communicated in advance.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) would like to remind residents of the vital role of Bylaw Enforcement in safeguarding our communities, environment, and shared quality of life.

“Bylaw enforcement is about looking out for each other. It helps keep our neighbourhoods safe, protects the environment, and makes sure everyone’s playing by the same rules”, says Ian Hall, General Manager, Planning and Development.  “It’s one of the ways we keep our communities great places to live.”

From Langdale to Earls Cove, dedicated SCRD bylaw enforcement officers work to ensure compliance with regional regulations, bringing a wide range of benefits to our region.

Nuisance control and land protection: Officers monitor and enforce rules on zoning, noise, smoke, and land clearing and alterations on private property to mitigate hazards, protect the natural environment, and reduce wildfire or erosion risk.

Compliance with water regulations: SCRD officers help enforce stage-based water conservation regulations—essential during times of drought.

Complaint-driven enforcement: Residents can quickly report bylaw infractions—including environmental concerns and noise—via a simple online form. This ensures prompt attention to community issues.

Educational outreach: Beyond issuing tickets, SCRD Bylaw Enforcement emphasizes public education on zoning, permits, and conservation to foster voluntary compliance and build civic responsibility.

How to Get Involved

For bylaw concerns or questions:

• Submit via the SCRD Bylaw Complaint Form on scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form. Note that anonymous, retaliatory or third-party complaints will not be accepted. Complainant anonymity is protected.
• Road/parking issues: Contact the Ministry of Transportation and Transit directly at 604‑527‑2221.

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, wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building.

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