Heritage infrastructure funding benefits the Sunshine Coast

Roberts Creek Community Hall and Rockwood Lodge in Sechelt are getting a facelift thanks to funding from Heritage BC and the Province of British Columbia.
The announcement on Monday was part of BC’s $10 billion COVID-19 response, which includes the StrongerBC for Everyone recovery plan and the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP). The Province allocated $16 million to the Unique Heritage Infrastructure stream of the CERIP program and appointed Heritage BC as the program delivery partner. First People’s Cultural Council was the program delivery partner for an additional $4 million in funding.
“We could not be happier to have this recognition and support from the Province,” says Paul Gravett, executive director of Heritage BC. “Through this funding program, the Province not only provided the largest one-time infusion of funds into the heritage sector, but it also recognized the importance and potential of heritage infrastructure and its place in our province’s economic picture.”
The Roberts Creek Community Hall received $133,000 from the program. According to Karen Spicer, vice president of the Roberts Creek Community Association, they plan to use the money to re-do the exterior siding and front window of the hall and paint the Community Library. Spicer said they will undertake the work this spring using local tradespeople.
Rockwood Lodge, Sechelt’s only designated heritage building, received $234,600 to replace the cedar roof, paint the exterior, refurbish the hardwood floors, install an accessible washroom, and complete the work in the kitchen to make it fully commercial.
“I am thrilled to really fix up this gem of a community building to make it more beautiful for our citizens to use and also to make the kitchen fully commercial for our local artisans,” said Lucy Clark, community services coordinator. “This is great news for Sechelt!”
Mayor Siegers stated, “Maintaining and improving our community buildings are an important part of managing our assets, and I am very pleased that we can do all this work with 100 percent grant funding. To do this work without a grant would have been a three percent tax increase. This renovation project will employ local people and provide a space for local artisans to prepare their foods. This is good for our community and for our economy.”
The Rockwood Lodge heritage home was built between 1935 and 1936. Originally a guest house, the Rockwood was for many years a popular destination for visitors travelling to the Sunshine Coast. The house was acquired by the District of Sechelt in 1987 and was re-purposed into a community hub for residents, community organizations, artists, and local businesses. It is widely used by over 51 user groups and the community, creating a safe and private space for public and private events. The Local