Stz鈥檜minus First Nation and the Town of Ladysmith are sharing more of their plans for the future of the Ladysmith waterfront.
In March 2022, Stz鈥檜minus and the province signed a reconciliation agreement to establish commitments to collaborate on future remediation and infrastructure projects for the Ladysmith Harbour, and a few months later, the Town of Ladysmith signed an agreement to work with Stz鈥檜minus to implement the waterfront area plan.
According to a joint news release from Stz鈥檜minus鈥� development arm Coast Salish Group and the town, they鈥檙e working toward transferring town and federally owned land between Slag Point and the federal wharf 鈥� including the Ladysmith Community Marina 鈥� to the corporation on Dec. 31.
鈥淭his is a significant milestone in the long journey of reconciliation for the Stz鈥檜minus people. Our ancestors lived on this land, thus Ladysmith Harbour has great significance to our community. This sets the stage for making things right,鈥� said Stz鈥檜minus Chief John Elliott in the release. 鈥淲e embrace the economic and recreational opportunities at Ladysmith Harbour to build a sustainable future for current and future generations.鈥�
The current plan for the waterfront is to create a 鈥渕ini-Granville Island concept,鈥� according to the release.
鈥淲hen this portion of the harbour is fully developed, it is planned to accommodate approximately 1,200 boat houses, slips, moorage and commercial/retail space,鈥� the release noted. 鈥淭his development is aligned with the town鈥檚 current waterfront area plan.鈥�
Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone called the plans an exciting opportunity to advance the 鈥渦nited priorities鈥� of the town and the First Nation.
鈥淥ur shared vision for the waterfront supports a deep desire to return Stz鈥檜minus presence and culture to this area,鈥� he said in the release.
The economic development group said it鈥檚 working with the province to remediate portions of the harbour with a $10-million grant from the province for clean-up operations.
In the meantime, the Coast Salish Group will provide moorage on the existing site and boaters can contact the corporation starting Oct. 1 to make arrangements.
The Ladysmith Maritime Society, which operates the community marina, said 鈥渋t was disappointing to read these announcements without prior notice to the society,鈥� and added that it has continued to reach out to Stz鈥檜minus First Nation 鈥渨ith the hope that doors will open for productive talks.鈥�
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