More than five years of beautification work by the people of Pender Harbour earned an award proclaiming it the best community economic development project in British Columbia.
Al Mulholland of Sunshine Coast Community Futures presented the award in Madeira Park Oct. 20. The Pender project was pitted against dozens of other economic development initiatives across B.C.
Pender also received a "four-bloom standing" in the national Communities in Bloom competition in commendation of the work in downtown Madeira Park.
Nearly every corner of Madeira Park has been beautified in some way over the past five years through landscaping, painting, artwork, new signs, pathways or rest areas.
"It all started with the Millennium Park, really. The community saw the beautiful work done there by the Harbour Authority and we decided to get together and beautify the rest of the area," said Larry Curtiss of the Pender Harbour Growth and Development Partnership.
He said the partnership may have helped start the movement, but it has since taken on a life of its own.
"There are all sorts of groups that formed once the work started," said Curtiss.
He said even tourists have helped build walls and plant flowers in Pender Harbour, commenting on the change in scenery."Since we've cleaned up this place, we've been attracting new business. There are quite a few new businesses that have opened here. It's the first new money our economy's seen in many years," said Curtiss.
Pender Harbour was once a thriving community with most of its workers employed in fishing or forestry. Since the huge downturns in those industries, many workers took early retirement, moved away or tried to find a new career. Pender Harbour suffered from the loss of income. Like many small towns, it needed to find a way to attract investors, business and tourism to boost its economy.
The grassroots drive to make the town more beautiful has helped the economy in Pender and has also changed the entire feeling in the community.
"I'd say we are all very proud. You know this entire effort was really not orchestrated, it was almost spontaneous. People would just come up and start helping out. That's a tremendous thing in itself. It's brought us closer as a community," said John Rees, SCRD area director for Pender Harbour.
He estimates well over 100 locals volunteered their time with various beautification projects around Pender in the past five years.
Local contractors donated equipment, time and expertise, as did gardeners and landscapers.
"I think you do things like this in energy waves and now we're a little flat," said Rees. He added, "We are looking for more people to take up the gauntlet now and carry on."
