Sechelt, British Columbia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Sechelt, British Columbia
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settlement_type = district municipality
motto = Blessed by Sun and Seas


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = BC
subdivision_type2 = District
subdivision_name2 = Sunshine Coast District
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leader_title =Mayor
leader_name =Cameron Reed
leader_title1 = Governing body
leader_name1 =Sechelt Municipal Council
leader_title2 =MP
leader_name2 =Blair Wilson, Green Party of Canada
leader_title3 =MLAs
leader_name3 =Nicholas Simons, British Columbia New Democratic Party
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established_title = Founded
established_date =1862 (Roman Catholic mission)
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = 1986
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area_total_km2 = 39.71
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population_as_of = 2006
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population_total = 8,454
population_density_km2 = 212.9
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population_metro = 27,759 (regional district)
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
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latd= 50|latm= 40|lats= 33.8|latNS=N
longd= 120|longm= 20|longs= 26.6|longEW=W
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elevation_m = 8
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postal_code_type = Postal code span
postal_code = V0N
area_code = +1-604
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website = [http://www.district.sechelt.bc.ca/ district.sechelt.bc.ca]
footnotes = The District Municipality of Sechelt (pronEng|'siːʃɛlt) is a community on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Located approximately 50 km northwest of Vancouver, Sechelt is accessible to mainland British Columbia via a 40 minute ferry trip between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale, and a 25 minute drive from Langdale along Highway 101. The municipality takes its name from the Coast Salish Shishalh people, who first settled the area thousands of years ago.

Sechelt encompasses 39.71 km² (15.33 sq mi), generally located at the isthmus of the Sechelt Peninsula, between the southern tip of Sechelt Inlet (Porpoise Bay) and the Strait of Georgia (dividing the mainland from Vancouver Island). It is bounded to the west and east by the unincorporated communities of Halfmoon Bay and Roberts Creek, respectively. As of the 2006 Canadian census its population was 8,455. Sechelt is located within the Sunshine Coast Regional District of British Columbia.

Although its population is small, the municipality sprawls along Highway 101, tracing the coast of Georgia Strait. There are several distinct neighbourhoods. From east to west, these are: Wilson Creek, Davis Bay, Selma Park, Sechelt Village, and West Sechelt. There are also several neighbourhoods around Sechelt Inlet, some of which are outside the boundaries of the municipality: West Porpoise Bay, East Porpoise Bay, Sandy Hook, and Tuwanek). The municipality surrounds a reserve of the Shishalh First Nation, which contains a substantial commercial district located just east of the village.

History

The Shishalh settled the area many thousands of years ago, taking advantage of its ideal location between Sechelt Inlet (providing access to Jervis Inlet) to the north, and Georgia Strait to the south. Europeans moved into present-day Sechelt in the 1860s. By the 1880s, Sechelt was becoming an active centre for the logging and fishing industries, with the construction of sawmills and wharves. The natural beauty of the Sunshine Coast soon began to attract tourists, who arrived at the wharves at Trail Bay via steamship. The construction of Highway 101 in 1952, and the concomitant commencement of ferry service to Horseshoe Bay (near Vancouver) and Powell River (hence to Vancouver Island) accelerated tourism and residential growth, which continues today.

The municipality was incorporated in 1986.

Demographics and character

According to Statistics Canada, most residents of the municipality are over 45; and, indeed, Sechelt has become increasingly attractive to retirees from elsewhere in Canada. Perhaps as a result, new, upscale subdivisions have grown in recent years.

The village itself, the original locus of Sechelt, is a mixture of shops catering to local residents, and those aimed at tourists and travellers. A new public library, combined courthouse and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) building, and public recreation centre and pool have been constructed in recent years. Immediately to the east of the village is the Shishalh First Nation land, containing a shopping centre, movie theatre, and an extensive gravel quarry. The community is home to the region's hospital (St. Mary's), a campus of Capilano College, the regional district offices, and a small, regional airport.

Recreation and tourism

The Sechelt area is known for its natural beauty, being a popular destination for those interested in kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and skiing, hiking and backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. The municipality contains a golf course, parks, and marinas; and larger provincial parks are nearby.

ee also

*Sechelt Peninsula
*Sechelt Inlet

Gallery

References

* [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5929011&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Sechelt&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=59&B1=All&Custom= Community Profile: Sechelt District Municipality, Sunshine Coast Regional District, British Columbia; Statistics Canada]
* [http://www.bigpacific.com/sechelt/history.html A brief history of Sechelt]
* [http://www.district.sechelt.bc.ca/ The District of Sechelt]

External links

* [http://www.communityresourcecentre.info/ Community Resource Centre non-profit, free Internet access]
* [http://www.district.sechelt.bc.ca/ District of Sechelt website]
* [http://www.secpl.scrd.bc.ca/ Sechelt Public Library website]
* [http://www.secheltseniors.com/ Sechelt Senior Activity Centre website]
* [http://www.sunshinecoast-bc.com/sechelt.html Sechelt Tourism & Business Directory]