Although I am a resident of Parksville, I make my living working at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach and my daughter goes to school at Kwalikum Secondary.
I went to the Qualicum Town Council meeting on Nov. 18 and listened to discussion around schools, school buses and development. It was quite apparent to me that these three things are connected.
First, it was noted that the school board is losing money running school buses. Second, was the fact that there are about 2,000 fewer students than capacity. Don’t you think that if we had more students more of them would ride the buses?
So where do we get these students? I don’t think they will be moving into town with the retirees? The only way we will get more students is to create more jobs for mom and dad.
This is where the development topic comes in. Qualicum Beach currently has an application on the table from Pheasant Glen Golf Resort for a mixed residential and rental cottage community. This project will create jobs now and for many years to come through tourism, hospitality, food and beverage, recreation, home maintenance, etc.
Where do you think retirees want to live? Somewhere where they can walk, exercise and somewhere secure if they choose to close their doors and head South of the border four to six months of the year. If retirees move to this type of development, then other residential areas will become available for families to move into, areas where children can play on the streets like they should.
Maybe the planning department of Qualicum Beach should look at creating a community from the youth up? Seems like a logical solution for a community that is slowly dying at all ages. Create jobs, life for schools and a place where our retirees can thrive in a secure environment to live and be entertained.
Gord Melissa Manager-
Pheasant Glen Golf Resort
Qualicum Beach