New Alberni Valley project to increase opportunities for regular gatherings
COURTENAY, 30 NOV 2023 – The Beaver Creek Community Club is building a community pavilion at their local playground to offer more community events and visitor attractions through a new project investment with Island Coastal Economic Trust.
The much-needed pavilion comes as a response to the Community Club’s commitment to creating a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike. The covered area will serve as a hub for a myriad of events – from school group nature camps, festivals, and family gatherings – to help foster a stronger sense of community and provide a sheltered space for year-round activities.
“We offer some neat events annually that bring in large gatherings, but all of these events are directly impacted by unpredictable weather,” says Jordan Oosterom, Director of Beaver Creek Community Club. “Having access to a large, covered area would be a huge asset because it would give us increased opportunities to host yearly events by providing the sheltered space we need.”
Local organizations, businesses, and residents are expressing keen interest in the project, recognizing the opportunities that the pavilion will bring. The project has generated conversations about the pavilion’s design and other collaborative ventures and partnerships that could enrich the local economy.
“Everybody has been so supportive of this idea, and we are excited at how it will further engage folks from the City of Port Alberni and the regional district of the Beaufort area who will come over and be a part of the community club,” says Jordan.
The Beaver Creek Community Club hosts several free and often large family events throughout the year, from the Halloween Howl and Spring Fling to the Mother’s Day Homestead Market, regular community BBQs, and more.
“This project goes straight to the heart of the Community Placemaking Program’s mission of collaboratively creating and transforming public spaces into vibrant, inclusive, and thriving places,” says Brodie Guy, CEO, Island Coastal Economic Trust. “We’re proud to partner with the Community Club on this idea and to witness the various ways it brings the community together in the months and years to come.”
“The reality of our stunning West Coast is that the elements persist during the winter months and a shelter space provides us with the ability to continue to gather year-round,” says Brian Cant, VP, Business Impact & Engagement, 4VI. “The community will be well-served with this new pavilion.”
“The Beaver Creek Community Club continues to work hard to support people with improvements to their Community Hall and the surrounding grounds, and this new pavilion expansion project will help create an even better place where people can gather year-round for community events,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “I’m thrilled to see this funding from ICET’s Community Placemaking Program, and I know the expanded pavilion will be well-used and much appreciated by local people and families.”
Island Coastal Economic Trust is investing with the Beaver Creek Community Club in the Community Pavilion project through the Community Placemaking program. he Trust will contribute $50,000 which includes $25,000 from 4VI who have partnered with the Trust to fund projects through the Community Placemaking program. The program provides one-stop funding up to $50,000 for as much as 100% of project costs for communities to collaboratively reimagine and revitalize public spaces across the coast.
The project is set to get underway shortly.
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About Island Coastal Economic Trust
Founded by the Province of British Columbia in 2006, the Island Coastal Economic Trust works to build a sustainable and resilient coastal economy in reciprocal relationships with First Nations, municipalities, and regional districts across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution. Serving over half a million residents, we partner with communities in the development and financing of their economic infrastructure and diversification efforts through our unique structure that is led by, and accountable to, communities.
Since our inception, Island Coastal Economic Trust has approved more than $59 million to economic development initiatives that have attracted over $323 million in new investment to our region. These investments have created over 2, 910 permanent jobs, and countless positive impacts, across the coast.
Island Coastal Economic Trust acknowledges that we work for communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda’xw, Pəntl’áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
Media Contacts
Brodie Guy
CEO
Island Coastal Economic Trust
brodie@islandcoastaltrust.ca
250-871-7797
Jordan Oosterom
Director
Beaver Creek Community Club
jordanadrienne@hotmail.com
250-730-0294
