The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is pleased to announce expanded operating hours at both the Sechelt Aquatic Centre (SAC) and the Pender Harbour Aquatic & Fitness Centre (PHAFC), beginning in April 2026.

These changes reflect ongoing efforts to better meet community demand and enhance access to recreation services across the Sunshine Coast.

Starting April 12, 2026, the Sechelt Aquatic Centre will see an 8.5-hour increase in weekly operating hours, bringing total full facility access to 74.5 hours per week. While the expansion is modest, extended Friday evening hours will provide improved access for patrons.

Sechelt Aquatic Centre – Effective April 12, 2026

Pool Hours:

• Monday: 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday to Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

 Fitness Centre Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

 At the Pender Harbour Aquatic & Fitness Centre, expanded hours will be introduced in two phases:

 Phase 1: Effective April 7 to May 4, 2026

Full Facility Hours

• Monday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 Gym-Only Hours

• Tuesday: 3:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 3:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

 Phase 2: Effective May 5 to July 31, 2026

Expanded full facility (gym and pool) evening hours.

Full Facility Hours

• Monday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 Gym-Only Hours

• Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

 Updated schedules will be posted at the facility and on the SCRD website at www.scrd.ca/recreation.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is partnering with the Sunshine Coast Community Forest (SCCF) to rebuild two key bridges in Cliff Gilker Park in Roberts Creek, advancing recovery work following the 2021 atmospheric river while saving the region over half a million dollars.

The SCRD Board has approved an agreement with SCCF to construct the park’s Upper Waterfall Bridge and Gorge Bridge. Through this partnership, SCCF will provide project management and engineering oversight, along with donated timber and volunteer labour.

This collaborative approach significantly reduces project costs while supporting the restoration of critical park infrastructure. The overall Cliff Gilker Bridges and Trail Remediation Project budget will decrease from approximately $1.2 million to about $620,000.

Additional work in the park will include decommissioning of the Lower Waterfall and Zigzag bridges, as well as trail and signage improvements. This work will remain under SCRD’s responsibility and proceed through the standard procurement process.

Cliff Gilker Park experienced significant infrastructure damage during the November 2021 atmospheric river event. The bridge replacements and trail improvements will restore safe access to one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular parks while improving long-term resilience.

Just this past weekend, crews were in Cliff Gilker Park milling wood for the bridge replacements.

Existing bridges are expected to be taken down by late April to mid-May, pending permitting approvals. Construction of the replacement bridges is anticipated to be completed later this year, with the Gorge Bridge scheduled for summer installation and the Upper Waterfall Bridge to follow in early fall.

Learn more about the project and see a map of the project locations at:
https://letstalk.scrd.ca/cliff-gilker

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) wants to hear from you on the Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal Project as the current engagement phase enters its final weeks. 

Community participation is essential to shaping a shared vision for the future of the Sunshine Coast. While many residents across the region have contributed so far, we need all residents who have not yet participated in this phase of the OCP Renewal to please share your ideas and feedback!  

In addition, a special call out to residents in Areas B (Halfmoon Bay) and Area F (West Howe Sound); places from which we’ve received fewer comments than other areas – we’d like to hear more from your communities to ensure that the updated OCP reflects the needs, values, and priorities of all residents. 

It’s not just housing and the environment that we’re talking about. Are you in business or industry on the Sunshine Coast? Your input is vital as we work to renew the Official Community Plan.  

There are two weeks remaining to provide input during this phase of engagement. Feedback gathered now will help inform future land use planning, housing policies, environmental protections, and infrastructure decisions across the SCRD’s electoral areas. 

Residents are encouraged to: 

• Complete the online survey and share feedback on growth, land use, and community priorities 

• Review project materials  

In addition, a public workshop will be held on March 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre (Room 209) offering an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions, and provide input directly to project staff. RSVP here: SCRD Official Community Plan Phase 2 Community Workshop RSVP . 

The OCP Renewal Project will guide how communities grow and change over the coming decades. Broad participation is critical to ensuring the plan reflects the perspectives of the entire region. 

To learn more and participate, visit the OCP Renewal project page. 

The name says it all, Official Community Plan. It’s about our community, and your voice is essential. 

What do you want the Sunshine Coast to look like in the next 5, 10, or even 20 years? Where should new homes go, or not go? How do we balance growth with protecting the environment? And what kinds of housing feel right for your neighbourhood? 

These are the kinds of questions the SCRD is exploring as part of Phase 2 of the Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal Project and we want to hear from you. 

Join Us at a Community Workshop 

We’re hosting two workshop dates in March, each offering two sessions so you can pick the time that works best for you: 

Pender Harbour Community Hall — Wednesday, March 11 

• 6:00–7:30 pm
• 7:30–9:00 pm 

Gibsons & Area Community Centre (Room 209) — Tuesday, March 31 

• 6:00–7:30 pm
• 7:30–9:00 pm 

If you think you’ll drop by, please take a moment to RSVP here: SCRD Official Community Plan Phase 2 Community Workshop RSVP.  

You don’t have to RSVP, but it really helps us plan staffing and refreshments (we don’t want to run out of cookies and coffee!) 

Want a Quick Overview First? 

We’d love it if you could spare 17 minutes and 59 seconds to watch our presentation about the OCP and what Phase 2 is all about. You can also explore lots of background material at: letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-renewal.  

Can’t Make a Workshop? Share Your Thoughts Online 

You can still participate by completing our online questionnaire: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/SCRD-OCP-P2 

The name says it all, Official Community Plan. It’s about our community, and your voice is essential. 

At last Thursday’s Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board meeting, the 2026 Financial Plan was officially adopted. 

This year, a corporate work plan was introduced to guide budget discussions. The plan outlines all current SCRD projects and prioritizes them, ensuring key considerations such as staff capacity and impacts on day-to-day operations were carefully evaluated before proposals moved forward.  

Community engagement was also a central part of the financial planning process. Residents identified three primary priorities: drinking water services, fire protection, and garbage disposal and recycling. 

The adopted Financial Plan reflects these priorities. To help limit the 2026 taxation increase, the Board approved using surplus and reserve funds, including $690,000 from a higher-than-expected 2025 surpluses, to offset project costs and support rate stabilization, reducing the overall taxation requirement by approximately two percent.  

Funding has been allocated for several water system projects, including reservoir maintenance, pump station replacements, and exploratory work at the shíshálh Hospital well. The plan also includes funding to design a vertical expansion at the Sechelt Landfill.  Based on current projections, this expansion is expected to  extend the landfill’s lifespan by approximately 30 years. The plan also provides increased compensation for volunteer firefighters. 

Additional investments include bridge replacements,  work on park management plans at Dan Bosch and Katherine Lake and a new initiative to help neighbourhoods better prepare for emergencies. Two grant-funded projects will also move forward, supporting emergency services and providing equipment and training for the Emergency Operations Centre. 

The SCRD Board further approved increased funding for recreation facility capital renewal and reserve contributions, helping support future development and renovations at SCRD recreation facilities. 

More than $1.6 million has been allocated to community partners delivering essential services, including the Pender Harbour Health Centre, Roberts Creek Community Library, Sunshine Coast Tourism, Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue, Gibsons Library, and the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives. 

Beyond the 2026 planning process, several multi-year projects previously approved will continue. These include wastewater infrastructure projects across the region, dock renovations, planning for improvements at Coopers Green Park, and bridge replacements at Cliff Gilker Park. The SCRD will also undertake public engagement for a recreation needs assessment and a parks services review. 

Preliminary Property Tax Rates 

After the adoption of the financial plan, the following are the preliminary average SCRD tax rates per $100,000 of assessed value of Residential Properties. 

The figures below are not final and only cover the SCRD portion of your tax bill. If you do not know which area or municipality your home is in, you can search your address via the map linked here.  

Estimating the preliminary SCRD portion of your tax bill 

 You can estimate the preliminary 2026 SCRD portion of your tax bill in three steps: 

Step 1 – Take the assessed value of your home which can be found here at BC Assessment.  

Step 2 – Divide the assessed value of your home by $100,000.  

Step 3 – Multiply that figure by the 2026 preliminary amounts outlined above based off your Electoral Area or Municipality.  

For example: If your home is worth $800,000 and the preliminary 2026 SCRD tax rate is $200 then the SCRD portion of your tax bill would be 8 x $200 = $1600. 

Staying Informed 

The best way to stay informed on Budget 2026 and ask questions at any time is at letstalk.scrd.ca/budget. 

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) wants to hear from residents and businesses on the future of waste management on the Sunshine Coast. 

The Solid Waste Management Plan guides how recycling, green waste, food waste and garbage will be managed across the region over the next ten years and beyond. The plan is required by the Province of British Columbia. 

Since 2023, the SCRD has been developing the draft plan with input from the community, a public advisory committee and the SCRD Board.  

The SCRD is now asking residents to review the draft and share feedback on the proposed approaches for managing waste on the Sunshine Coast.  

Community input is particularly important as the region plans for the future. The Sunshine Coast’s only landfill is nearing capacity, and the SCRD is working to identify solutions that will ensure reliable waste services and disposal options for the next 30 to 35 years.  

Residents and businesses can participate in several ways, including attending in-person engagement sessions or completing an online questionnaire. 

Opportunities to provide your input in the coming weeks include:

• Sechelt Farmers Market – March 7, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
• Welcome Woods Market, Halfmoon Bay – March 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Persephone Brewing Company – March 14, 12 p.m. to 6p.m. 
• Trail Bay Mall, Sechelt – March 18, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
• Brickers Cider – March 21, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  
• Madeira Park IGA – March 24, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
• Roberts Creek Farmers Market, March 25, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
• Roberts Creek General Store – March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
• Halfmoon Bay General Store – March 31, 10 a.m. to 2p.m.  
• Gibsons Public Market – April 1, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  

The SCRD will also host community workshops in the following locations: 

• Elphinstone and Gibsons — March 11, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Gibsons & Area Community Centre
• Sechelt — March 13, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (for businesses) and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (for residents) at the Seaside Centre.
• Pender Harbour — March 17, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Pender Harbour Community Hall 

Residents can review the draft plan, learn more about the project and complete a questionnaire online at letstalk.scrd.ca/trash.

The questionnaire linked here takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. As a thank you for taking part in the questionnaire, the SCRD is giving away a gift card to a local business. You can add your email on the questionnaire for a chance to win!

Feedback will be accepted until April 10, 2026, and will help shape the final Solid Waste Management Plan.