The Sechelt Downtown Business Association (SDBA) is hoping to take advantage of special funding from the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) to get its proposed street patios built.
ICET recently announced grants of up to $15,000 for “low barrier, rapid access to capital funding to support restart and increased sustainability for business and industry facing closures and operational restrictions” because of the COVID pandemic.
The SDBA has applied for $6,000 from the ICET program for two patios that would take up one parking stall each.
“COVID-19 has created challenges for our cafes and restaurants that now have limited seating for their patrons,” the SDBA application says. “The on-street patios will be a public space for both restaurant goers and shoppers so that they can feel safe as they patronize our local businesses.”
The SDBA also says, “On-street patios will bring more vibrancy to our downtown
offering a much-needed gathering space, which Downtown Sechelt lacks. The on-street patios can serve as a hangout spot, with an ‘Outside Food Welcomed’ sign, or as a place to host special events.”
Sechelt council has already given the go-ahead for a street patio pilot project, and the SDBA proposal is the first that’s come forward.
The organization has asked the District of Sechelt to contribute $4,000 and it will add $2,000 to meet the ICET requirement for matching funds.
The SDBA is also asking for the district’s help with a place to store the patios during the off-season.
“I support the concept of this project, I think it’s a good idea,” said Coun. Alton Toth, when the SDBA request first went to council June 17, but he also said council should get more information before committing any money. “Our street patios project is a pilot, it’s intended to end – they’re talking multi-year. What does this look like next year? What does this look like going forward?”
That additional information is in a staff report on the agenda for a special council meeting June 24, after Coast Reporter’s print deadline.
The report says the patios will be built in sections for easy transport and storage and that the SDBA’s budget for the project includes the cost of maintenance and transportation to and from the storage area, which will most likely be the district’s public works yard.
The staff report recommends council support for the SDBA application and that Sechelt’s $4,000 contribution come from the council contingency fund, which currently sits at $10,000.
Vancouver Coastal Health is also supporting the application.
Medical Health Officer Dr. Geoff McKee said in a letter that the street patio idea enables physical distancing safely and points out that the provincial health officer has “highlighted that partial street closures and one way travel promotes physical activity for pedestrians and provides safe access to businesses and employment.”
As well as endorsing the funding application, council will also have to approve a licence to occupy a district right of way once the locations are chosen, which would be brought forward at “the next possible Council meeting after the grant is approved.”
