Sunshine Coast News & Events

The Gibsons & District Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for persons interested in free training to become Tourism BC SuperHost ® trainer/coordinators. This is commission-based position (not a salaried position). Education experience is preferred.

The Chamber will pay training costs in exchange for a commitment to provide local workshops on our behalf. Travel, accommodation and meal costs will be reimbursed.

The training session takes place in Vancouver from Sept. 28-30. Contact Cheryl at the Gibsons Chamber office at 886-2325 for more information.

Applications should be submitted to the Gibsons & District Chamber of Commerce at Box 1190 - Gibsons, BC VON 1V0 or email info@gibsonsbc.ca no later than September 12.

Hundreds of people joined together in Gibsons, BC, on the Sunshine Coast on September 8 and 9, 2007 to mark the 35th anniversary of one of Canada's most famous and popular TV shows.

"The Beachcombers" aired from 1972 to 1990 across Canada and, eventually, in more than 60 countries around the world. The series is still in reruns.

Jackson Davies, who played Constable Constable and produced later spin-offs, says involving locals was a key to "The Beachcombers" success. Davies notes that residents of the small community of Gibsons claimed ownership of the series because producers were so committed to hiring locals as actors, extras and set workers.

"The Beachcombers" is also credited with giving many in Vancouver's robust film and TV industry their start.

Here is some video taken on the 35th anniversary of TV series' Persephone boat...

The Town of Gibsons' Council met on August 7, 2007 to consider zoning amendments and a development permit application for Target Development's (Grant Gillies) condominium project on Gower Point Road (Shoal Bay).

Gibsons waterfront project model

The Target Development is one of three projects being developed for the Gibsons waterfront. Other waterfront projects include harbour expansion proposed by the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority, and the Gibsons Tugboat Landing Boutique Hotel and Conference Centre proposal which will soon come forward from Klaus Fuerniss Enterprises.

The full report to the Planning Committee from the Director of Planning, Chris Marshall, is available online in PDF format. See details on pages 31 - 154.

Pages 47 and 48 contain staff's opinion of the project which state: "the proposed development meets the majority of the OCP's objectives and policies for the Gibsons Landing area... There are many questions to be answered and legal agreements to be drafted prior to this project going forward to First Reading but, to date, Staff are impressed with what the applicant is proposing."

The proposal will be reviewed by Planning Committee on September 11. The applications will then come back to Council for First Reading of the required zoning by-law amendment when the conditions specified in the Planner's report have been met. Council will then set the date for the Public Hearing.

Gibson's Mayor Janyk has stated at the Planning Committee meetings that Gibsons community input will be critical to any decisions made regarding this project. As noted by Mayor Janyk, "it is not the Planning Committee, nor indeed, Council that will decide the fate of this project. Council will be entertaining input from the community at the Public Hearing." At that time, public input will be critical to any decisions may by Mayor and Council.

The project model presented at the open house is on display in the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority office on the Gibsons Landing wharf. Contact Harbour Manager Bill Oakford (604 886-8017) for more information about access to the project model.