During the process of compiling this year’s highlights, a staggering fact became apparent: 2015 was a momentous year for Powell River.
The city has been experiencing a forward trajectory for a number of years, but this one was particularly inspiring for many reasons.
First, our community has seen an influx of new residents, thanks in part to a successful resident-attraction campaign undertaken by City of Powell River and Tourism Powell River, but also because an impressive amount of visitors to our area either consider moving or actually do move here.
Speaking to local residents, visitors were often able to sense something very special about our community and, month after month this year, local real estate agents marvelled at the number of out-of-town homebuyers.
The beauty, affordability and quality of living in our area has been well-known for decades, but it was in 2015 that our community truly blossomed with recent arrivals who brought with them new perspectives and cultural richness.
Besides a revitalization in population, Powell River also saw results of hard work from city council, including forward-thinking decisions that will benefit residents for years to come.
In 2015, council motioned to pursue the construction of a liquid-waste treatment plant, purchased trees to protect Millennium Park from being logged, created a Community Sustainability Plan, secured a new site for Powell River Public Library and, most recently, opposed the application for a hydroelectric power plant on Goat Island.
Here’s hoping for more decisions like those from city hall in 2016.
This was also a year of landmark occasions. Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation elder Elsie Paul received a lifetime achievement award from Canadian Historical Association; the new bike and skateboard park, one of the largest in North America, held its grand opening; Powell River Recreation Complex celebrated its 40th anniversary; and Powell River Community Foundation released its second Vital Signs report after its first in 2011, indicating where we need to concentrate efforts to further improve the community.
And that’s just a few of the many highlights of 2015.
It could be argued that every year is a good one when you live in Powell River, but there was an instinctual feeling that 2015 was the cusp of something truly special.
Something is in the air in Powell River, and it’s not just steam. It’s change; welcome change.
