via Lynne Unger;
I would like to thank the members of my Economic Development Committee for their work on behalf of our Community.
Thank you Kent O’Neil, Kate Ney, Louise Karlson, Sharon Braun, Kathy Kennedy, Alan Gregory and Councillor Larry Fehr. Each of you took time from your busy lives to contribute to this initiative of developing a strategic plan for the development of Gold River into the future.
Due to a change in personal circumstance and work commitments I have resigned as the Chair of this Committee and trust that Mayor Anderson will appoint a new chair and that each of these initiatives will have it’s own opportunity to move forward.
I give you my words in this “Vision of Gold River”, but be assured they are not my ideas, these thoughts came from months of each of you coming forward with your ideas and those of your contacts out there in the community and contributing to what we saw as the future.
Thank you once again – Lynne Unger
My Vision of Gold River
I have had the great fortune to live in Gold River for more than 25 years and can’t help but wake up everyday and think there is nowhere I’d rather be. When I was elected as a Councilor for the community 5½ years ago I really felt I wanted an opportunity to develop a concept of Economic Development for our lovely town. I have no experience in this area but as you can see I have developed a clear vision of where I’d like to see our community go.
In my vision people arrive here to see a thriving, going concern of a town……..
There is a recently opened twenty four bed assisted living facility for elderly and disabled citizens for folks who need a little help each day and some company. These folks really don’t want to leave Gold River and because of this facility they don’t have to.
We have entered a fantastic development agreement with Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation that includes a complete redevelopment of the IR12 and Block C (municipal dock and surrounding area) that includes a brand new marina and restaurant and a very pleasant walk to the Uchuck and Air Nootka facilities for our tourists and locals to enjoy together. We have several other partnership agreements in the works because we can all see the benefits of our communities working together.
There are at least four new light industrial businesses possibly kayak production, production of canoe and kayak paddles, guitar skins or water bottling each providing employment for six to a dozen people. These products could be built or produced anywhere but because they are from Gold River everyone wants one.
People have embraced the concept of shopping local because they realize that only then can they help drive the economy of this community to a new level. They see the advantage in the local shops as prices come down because volume buying is now a reality. Besides their weekends are far to full of activities like golfing, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting and camping to waste their precious weekend days driving to Campbell River.
The fully developed Nootka Sound Outdoor Education Program is running a full fledged high school, university, weekend, summer and family programs. The whole community is involved and is reaping the benefits of this fantastic program with certified guides and trainers in all outdoor fields.
The School District has seen major increases in enrollment because people are moving to town for all the best reasons, to enjoy the real benefits of living where the outdoors is a way of life everyday not just a dream you get to visit every now and then. These folks have taken jobs at the state of the art Waste to Energy facility at the end of the road or they have internet business that allows them to be anywhere and they chose to be here. They are also lucky enough to have purchased a home at a really reasonable price or they could choose to buy a larger piece of property build their dream home and have a wee bit of land to putter around on.
More kids and families have created some terrific growth in hockey; figure skating, brownies, girl guides and scouting, etc. Each of these groups is fostering new energy for volunteers and community groups are sprouting up all over the place.
There’s something fishy going on as Gold River has partnered with Grieg Seafood and the Federal/Provincial Government to develop a new, pilot program of growing fish in a new sustainable way. If the pilot program is successful it will revolutionize fish farming in Canada, oh what the heck, the world!
We have new full service camping facilities available, some by the river and some by the Golf Course so that when people arrive they can choose how and how long they will stay based on the various offerings we have available. It’s created a mini transient community that comes as often as they can and who wish they could live here year round.
There are some new businesses putting out their shingles because it has become necessary to have growth. We have a new shop that features mountain bikes, kayaks and canoes (locally built), helmets and lights for rent or purchase, guided or unguided tours so everyone who arrives here ready or not can experience what we have to offer.
A new hotel has been built to house all the weekend warriors. New restaurants are coming to life to cater to the new need. There is a dentist and a chiropractor to add to our already fantastic medical service – they are semi retired and only want to work a few days a week so they can fill their days with other exciting local activities.
I know these are crazy fantastic dreams. I know they are for most part, unachievable in the short term. But I swear to you every time I hear someone say “that’s not possible”, “that will never happen” or some well meaning long time resident says “Council’s only responsibility is water, sewers and roads” I want to dig a little deeper and try a little harder.
What do you think? Want to dream a bit with me? What does your vision look like?
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