The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has released its fourth quarter update, highlighting significant progress on capital projects, community planning initiatives, emergency preparedness, and regional infrastructure improvements completed between October 1 and December 31, 2025.

This snapshot showcases key achievements from each department. Full quarterly reports are included in the January 22, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting agenda package.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

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. The final large meter installations will be completed in early 2026.

 Halfmoon Bay Community Hall Construction

Construction continued at a strong pace, with window and door installation now complete and mechanical and plumbing work progressing. Landscape design also advanced. The project remains on track for completion in summer 2026, delivering a much-anticipated gathering and recreation space. Follow along with the progress of the hall at letstalk.scrd.ca/community-hall.

Sechelt Landfill Vertical Expansion & Waste Export Feasibility

Feasibility studies on vertical expansion and off Coast waste export were completed. The Board has directed staff to include vertical expansion in the draft Solid Waste Management Plan for further engagement and analysis.

Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal

Foundational work on the multiyear OCP renewal continued through late 2025, preparing for broad public engagement in early 2026. The renewed plan will guide growth, housing, climate resilience, and land use priorities across the region.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Coopers Green Park Enhancements

Archaeological and geotechnical assessments were carried out to confirm the feasibility of the new washroom location. These findings will guide the next phase of park upgrades.

Rosemary Lane (Keats Island) Erosion Mitigation

A shoreline protection contract was awarded, and construction is underway to stabilize the Rosemary Lane foreshore. Completion is expected in early 2026.

Transit Service Expansion

Planning wrapped up for expanded transit services launching January 2026, including more frequent weekday service on Route 90 and enhanced handyDART operations. New handyDART fleet vehicles have arrived, improving accessibility and reliability for riders.

Sports Field Strategy

The regional Sports Field Strategy continued to move forward, with final recommendations expected in early 2026. The strategy will help guide long-term investment, maintenance standards, and coordinated recreation planning across local governments and the School District on the Sunshine Coast.

Parks Service Review

A Parks Service Review is taking place to define and document amenity classifications, recommend service levels, establish annual maintenance schedules and tasks, and identify the resources required to support service delivery.

CORPORATE & ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

SharePoint Records Migration

More than 926,000 electronic documents were successfully migrated to Microsoft 365 SharePoint Online, marking a major step in modernizing digital records, increasing collaboration, and improving long-term information management.

Hybrid Meeting Technology & Boardroom A/V Upgrades

A newly upgraded audiovisual system launched in fall 2025, streamlining hybrid public meetings with automated cameras, improved microphones, and enhanced streaming tools.

Langdale Wellfield – Elector Approval

The Alternative Approval Process concluded with elector responses below the required threshold, enabling borrowing for the Langdale Wellfield Construction Project.

Volumetric Water Billing Implementation

Work continued on the transition to a volumetric model. The first quarterly bill will be distributed for residents in the North and South Pender Water Service areas in April. Mock billing is anticipated to begin for the Regional Water Service later this year.

New Property Viewer

Development progressed on a modern, user-friendly Property Viewer powered by ESRI tools. Featuring new mapping layers, updated reporting, and improved print options, the application entered testing and will offer enhanced access to public property information.

EMERGENCY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES

911 Radio System Upgrades & Chapman Tower Study

Work continued on regional communications improvements, including acquiring new radio frequencies and assessing alternatives to a full tower replacement at Chapman Creek.

FireSmart Fuel Mitigation & Public Outreach

The FireSmart team completed extensive wildfire risk reduction work and have removed more than 250,000 lbs of material to date. Community outreach and neighbourhood engagement continued through this quarter.

Volunteer Fire Department Readiness

SCRD volunteer fire departments strengthened their training programs, and updated equipment. New recruits, improved prevention programs, and modernized gear helped bolster overall readiness.

Emergency Support Services Expansion

Emergency Support Services continued monthly training, supported standby responses, and enhanced preparations for the 2026 exercise schedule. Fourteen active members contributed to growing regional emergency readiness.

INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES

Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant UV Upgrade

A new UV system is under construction, improving reliability and ensuring safer drinking water even during equipment shutdowns. Completion remains on schedule for early 2026.

Pender Harbour Transfer Station Upgrades

Design work for Phase 2 upgrades is complete, with construction planned pending 2026 budget approvals. Improvements will enhance traffic flow, safety, and overall user experience at the transfer station.

Chapman, Edwards & McNeill Lake Dam Safety Upgrades

Upgrades to three major drinking water reservoirs reached completion in 2025. Final closeout scheduled for early 2026 will mark a major increase in long term system safety.

Sechelt Landfill Biocover Pilot

SCRD tested a biocover at the Sechelt Landfill to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Phase 1 showed economic and environmental benefits; Phase 2 piloted three test cells in 2023–2024. Results, summarized in a report, will be presented to the Board in early 2026.

 Langdale Wellfield Development

The Langdale Wellfield project continues toward detailed design in 2026. Once complete, it will strengthen regional water security and support the region during peak demand and drought conditions. The new source is expected to be online in 2028.

Ongoing Feasibility of the Sechelt / shíshálh Hospital Wellfield
Following successful test well results, the feasibility of advancing as a new water source continue. 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.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

Land Use Inventory

The Regional Housing Coordinator continued building a detailed inventory of underutilized public, nonprofit, and community lands. Engagement with partners is underway to explore opportunities for this land.

Small Scale Cluster Housing & Home Conversion Project

A major feasibility study launching in early 2026 will explore small scale cluster housing and home conversions. The resulting Resident Developer’s Playbook will help homeowners and builders create gentle density housing solutions. This study is being conducted by the Regional Housing Coordinator.

Coastal Flood Risk Mapping

A detailed coastal flood risk mapping project was completed, providing updated insights into sea level rise, storm surge, and flood hazards. These findings will guide climate resilient planning and emergency response across the Coast.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is pleased to announce that the Keats Landing Dock has fully reopened and is once again available for vehicle use.

Construction began in early December and included essential repairs to restore the dock and ensure it is safe for vehicle traffic. All work has now been completed, allowing full access to resume.

Drivers are reminded that the dock has a maximum load limit of 7,500 kilograms and a speed limit of 10 km/h. Updated signage reflecting these requirements will be installed over the coming weeks.

The SCRD thanks residents, businesses, and visitors for their patience and cooperation throughout the closure and construction period.

Great news! Construction on the Keats Landing Dock project was completed yesterday, and the construction barge has now been removed from the site.  In the coming weeks, staff will be working with a professional engineer to complete the required sign-off so that vehicle traffic can be restored on the dock. 

The Stormaway Ferry Service will resume its regular schedule. 

The SCRD would like to thank the community for their patience and cooperation throughout the dock renovation process.  A further update will be provided once the dock is fully reopened to vehicle traffic. 

Work on the Keats Landing Dock project will resume on Sunday, January 4 with crews arriving on site with a construction barge.  

The project is expected to be completed by Thursday, January 8. During this time, ferry service at Keats Landing Dock will be affected due to major structural work on the dock. 

Ferry Service Impacts for the Week of January 5: 

• Monday, January 5: No ferry service 

• Tuesday, January 6: No ferry service 

• Wednesday, January 7: No morning ferry service 

• Thursday, January 8: No morning ferry service 

Further updates will be provided if there are any changes to the schedule. 

The SCRD thanks the community for their patience and understanding while this essential work at Keats Landing Dock is completed. 

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Parks Services Division is moving forward with a second year of proactive fire mitigation efforts within SCRD park properties. This work is part of ongoing initiatives to reduce wildfire risk and enhance public safety across the region.

The 2026 fire mitigation projects will be carried out by the SCRD FireSmart team, with work scheduled for January and February 2026, weather permitting.

The following SCRD parks have been identified for remedial fire mitigation work:

• Cedar Meadows Park
  Week of January 7, 2026 (approximately 2 days onsite)
• Grandview Heights Park
  Week of January 12, 2026 (approximately 1 day onsite)
• Seaview Cemetery
  Weeks of January 22 and January 29, 2026 (approximately 6 days onsite)
• Maple Park
  Early February 2026 (approximately 6 days onsite) 

The FireSmart team will be doing the following work:

• Removal of forest floor debris
• Pruning of tree branches up to 6 feet from ground level on flat terrain
• Pruning of tree branches up to 9 feet from ground level on hillsides
• Chipping and removal of woody debris

The SCRD appreciates the community’s understanding while this vital preventative work is completed. Every effort will be made to minimize disruption to park users and nearby residents.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) extends a huge thank-you to everyone who stopped by our community booths this holiday season to learn about holiday recycling and share thoughts on the region’s Solid Waste Management Plan.  

The SCRD has initiated the process to update the region’s Solid Waste Management Plan — a ten-year roadmap that will guide solid waste management services, including programs, infrastructure and policies for managing waste and recycling into the future. 

Residents shared valuable input on what matters most when it comes to garbage, recycling, green waste and food waste services on the Sunshine Coast. 

The SCRD will be engaging on the Plan again in the new year. Visit our dedicated engagement webpage at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/trash/ to: 

• Share your feedback 

• Learn more about the Solid Waste Management Plan process 

• Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to connect in early 2026.  

Tips to sleigh your holiday recycling can be found at www.scrd.ca/holidayrecycling. 

The first round of financial planning discussions wrapped up at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) earlier this month.  

The next round of discussions will take place on February 2 and 3, 2026. Projects moving forward include: 

• Several projects to maintain vital water infrastructure including reservoir maintenance and the replacement of the pump station at the Selma Park reservoir. 

• Continued exploratory work on feasibility for additional water at the shíshálh Hospital well. 

• Solid waste projects including ongoing funding for the Oceans Plastic Depot and new initiatives including a furniture recycling diversion program and a community reuse event called ‘Trash to Treasure.’ 

• Other solid waste projects are focused on maintenance and the future of garbage disposal in the region. This includes upgrades to the Pender Harbour Transfer station, including a replacement scale. Work will progress on the Solid Waste Management Plan and the development of a long-term solid waste disposal option for the region.  

• Projects to replace the basin tile at the Pender Pool and a major refurbishment project for the big red slide at the Sechelt Pool have moved forward.  

• In emergency planning, a project to help neighbourhoods get prepared for emergencies, along with two grant funded projects for emergency support services and emergency operations centre equipment and training.  

• A proposal to allow for the continuation of paid on call for SCRD volunteer firefighters was incorporated into this year’s financial plan.  Staff will present the findings from a community questionnaire on this subject at the next round of financial planning discussions in February.  

• Continued funding support of over $1.6 million for community partners delivering services such as 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.  

Outside of this year’s financial planning process, numerous projects that were budgeted in previous years will progress in 2026. These include several wastewater projects across the region, dock renovations, planning for enhancements at Coopers Green Park and bridge replacements at Cliff Gilker Park. The SCRD will also conduct engagement on a recreation needs assessment and a parks services review.  

Roundtable Discussion 

On Thursday January 29, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., local governments on the Sunshine Coast will take part in a financial planning roundtable. Each local government will give an overview of their respective financial plans for 2026, with time for discussion in between each presentation. The public is invited to attend. 

• In person: SCRD Boardroom, 1975 Field Road, Sechelt.  

• Online: Watch via the SCRD’s YouTube channel.  

Stay informed as the SCRD’s financial planning process continues at letstalk.scrd.ca/budget.  

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is inviting residents to apply for volunteer positions on its Advisory Planning Commissions (APCs).

APCs play an important role in local governance by providing recommendations to the SCRD Board and staff on land use applications, official community plans, policy development, and other community planning initiatives. Members bring local knowledge and community perspectives to help guide planning decisions across the region.

Individuals with an interest in community development, land use, or local planning are encouraged to apply. Previous planning experience is not required, just a willingness to learn and contribute.

Applications must be submitted using the fillable application form available on the SCRD website at www.scrd.ca/APC

The application deadline is January 9, 2026.

About Advisory Planning Commissions
Each APC represents a specific electoral area and serves in an advisory capacity only. Members review applications and provide non-binding recommendations to the SCRD Board. APCs help ensure that community perspectives are considered as part of the planning process.

For More Information, please contact Kristi Evans, Deputy Corporate Officer at 604-885-6813 or by email at legislative@scrd.ca.

Work on the Keats Landing Dock project will pause for the holiday period beginning this weekend and will resume on Tuesday, January 6. 

The construction barge is expected to be relocated by the morning of Saturday, December 20. As a result, regular ferry service aboard the Stormaway passenger vessel will be available at Keats Landing Dock from December 20 through January 5. 

When construction resumes on January 6, the 8:55 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. sailings will operate for that week. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, dock work is anticipated to be completed by January 9. 

The SCRD appreciates the community’s patience and understanding while this important work at Keats Landing Dock is completed.