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Who We Are
|
Sunshine Coast Lifestyles
Photo Sunshine Coast Photography
Families love the Sunshine
Coast because while it is only 35 minutes from
the huge metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver (population 2.1
million) yet is
still largely rural in feel. Much of the Coast's waterfront is
relatively undeveloped
compared to Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Bellingham and points
south.
There are literally miles
of beaches to ramble along, and scores of parks
- from recreational parks with bike paths and family picnicking
areas right up to
"bush" parks most locals don't even get into.
The Sunshine Coast has a complete
school system, from pre-school straight
through to Capilano College's first and second year university
transfer programs.
There are also sports leagues for T-ball, softball, hardball,
hockey (of course!), golf,
swimming, soccer, rugby... too many to mention. Currently there
is one ice rink
on the Sunshine Coast, located in Sechelt, and two public swimming
pools, located
in Gibsons and Pender Harbour.
SENIORS
There is a high senior population
on the Coast, with an active Seniors Centre in
Central Sechelt. The Centre offers monthly get-togethers, bridge
nights, crafts and
woodworking in addition to access to the centre's recreation activities.
Sechelt Golf and Country Club also offers a lawn bowling green
that is popular.
Sechelt has a higher population of seniors
than any other area on the Coast,
mainly due to level walking throughout the village area, and easy
access to the region's
only hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, located on Highway 101 right
before entering Sechelt
from Selma Park.
The hospital has 33 acute beds, 50 extended
care beds and provides
medical, surgical, obstetrical, pediatric, extended care and emergency
care services.
There are Medical Clinics located in the three major population centres of Sechelt, Gibsons and Pender Harbour, as well as Coast Garibaldi Public Health Units. Dentistry, physiotherapy and chiropractic are also widely available on the Coast. There are also two longterm care facilities on the Coast, Totem Lodge (palliative care) next to the hospital, and Shornecliff (intermediate care).
Photo Sunshine Coast Photography
Outdoors & Recreation
If you're looking for physical activity, then the Sunshine Coast is the place for you!
Our region is world reknowned for the spectacular outdoor recreation activities to be found throughout the Coast:
- Mountain biking (parks, road, and off-road forestry trails)
- Hiking - ranging from easy flat walking through to strenuous hikes
- Kayaking - ocean kayaking both in the
protected waters of the
Sechelt Inlet, and on the "outside" in the Georgia Strait - Golf - there are three full 18 hole courses, and a par 3
- Horseback riding
- Skateboarding - park located near Chatelech High School, Sechelt
- Boating - Sailing, canoeing, powerboating, cruising
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing - saltwater for Springs and Coho, freshwater and bottomfishing
- Scuba Diving - the Skookumchuck and Tzoonie
Narrows are world class, and the
Coast has an artificial reef, the Chaudiere, located in the Sechelt Inlet - Windsurfing (and recreational "kayaksurfing" at Davis Bay)
- Swimming - saltwater and lake swimming
(there are 6 large lakes on the Coast,
as well as many small ones).
Cultural Life
Check out the culture
section of this site to see the rich variety of
cultural activity available on the Sunshine Coast.
Everyone is welcome!
The Sunshine Coast is populated with people of diverse backgrounds, ethnicity, and lifestyle.
There are pockets of common interest around the Coast, such as Roberts Creek, which has an eclectic mix of back-to-the-landers, original homesteaders, family vacation cottages and even, dare we say, hippies! (Check out the wonderful diversity evident at almost every meal in the Gumboot Cafe).
But mostly our region is just plain tolerant and welcoming to newcomers,
no matter what their stripes. We like to think the Coast is a place
where boys can
grow up to be dancers or firefighters, and girls can be the next
neurosurgeon
or stay at home and raise great kids. So come on, come to the Coast!
