Two historic Skwxwú7mesh reserves called Chekwelp No. 26 and No. 26A should be developed, according to a Skwxwú7mesh councillor.
“My goal is to develop the land between Langdale and Gibsons,” said Coun. Deborah Baker during her remarks at the opening of the Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre in Gibsons on Saturday.
Afterwards she told Coast Reporter, “We’ve got a lot of priority items right now, but I’m saying by the end of this term, which is December 2021, if we haven’t already made a decision about how it’s going to be developed, the feasibility of developing it will be in place.”
She would like to see 75 homes built on the west side of Marine Drive between Gibsons and Granthams Landing, “and perhaps townhouse units on the waterfront.”
Originally the waterfront was going to be developed for market housing but she said that might change with the new council, which was voted in last December.
Attempts to develop the land have been made before. Between 2006 and 2007, Skwxwú7mesh Nation had discussed developing the waterfront as well as building a housing subdivision for members on land away from the waterfront and across Marine Drive. Between 2010 and 2012, 27 leased houses were removed from the area, but the land has stood vacant ever since.
One roadblock for councillors, Baker said, was skepticism about whether there would be enough job opportunities in Gibsons and surrounding areas, but she is hoping to change that mindset. “I really believe those who are interested will make it work – whether it’s livelihood on the Coast or commuting back and forth or creating their own entrepreneur business.”
Another motivation for renewing development efforts, Baker said, is land scarcity. “We’re running out of land on the North Shore for residential development,” she said, adding: “I think it would be one of the best parts of the world to live and bring up a family or for our elders to come and live, and even single people. We need to take a look at housing categories… I’m excited and I think our members will be, too.”
