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Celebrating Groundbreaking at Oyster Bay

The Stz’uminus First Nation, along with representatives of the Ladysmith and District Credit Union, held a formal groundbreaking at Oyster Bay Development.

“I do appreciate everybody who has put the effort in to make sure that why we’re here today is why we’re celebrating. Our partnership with the Ladysmith Credit Union, joining us and being part of Stz’uminus as we’re starting to create opportunities and creating business on Stz’uminus lands that weren’t even though of 10 years ago,” explained Stz’uminus First Nation Chief John Elliott prior to the actual groundbreaking ceremony.

“Breaking ground here today is a celebration for everyone because I think creating those partnerships and those relationships is so important. I’m overwhelmed. It’s seemed like a long time to get here, but we’ve got here now,” he said. “This project will create an economy for our people, to create an economy for all people. That’s what it’s about. It’s about relationships. It’s about why we’re here today to celebrate a partnership that we want to see last. We want everybody to share that with us as a nation.”

Elliott’s support of the project was echoed by Brian Childs, President of the Board of Directors of the Ladysmith and District Credit Union, who was a participant in the sod-turning ceremony. “The hard work that has gone into bringing this to fruition is incredible,” he said. “We are a small Credit Union that this band Council decided to accept, to come into this position because we are so well rooted in the community.”

With a native prayer at the start of the ceremony, and the singing of a traditional Stz’uminus First Nation song at its conclusion, the event was highlighted by emotion and an outpouring of pride. The Oyster Bay Development encompasses some 65 acres alongside of the Island Highway and will include, once completed, a range of developments including a hotel, a residential neighborhood and various business opportunities. The Credit Union formally signed a lease before the groundbreaking, making it the first official tenant for the development.

“We love to be here and to have a little branch here that we can actually have the people who live here actually bank on their own lands, we’ll have lots of advice, lots of expertise coming from the head building in Ladysmith – we’re just open for everything here,” Childs said.

“We want these people to join the credit union, it’s a cooperative and it has been here for a long time and it wants to share in this wonderful success that these people are going to face over the next few years.”

Masterplanning Completed for Oyster Bay

Commercial, residential, assisted living and hotel development are viable opportunities at Oyster Bay.

This project provides the perfect opportunity on having most of life's essential needs – homes, jobs, shopping and entertainment – all in one place. It’s a new village that brings together places to live as well as opportunities to work and play.

With the Oyster Bay Development project Coast Salish Development Corporation is meeting the evolving needs of a growing demographic and is responding directly to the growing demand for more housing and infrastructure on Vancouver Island.

The water and wastewater system for the 65 acres of land - designated to the Oyster Bay Development - has been completed and the land is now ready for economic development. Key to installing the water and sewer system was AANDC’s generous contribution of more than 50% funding and a successful collaboration with the Town of Ladysmith.
Oyster Bay Development is a prosperous area for business. We are seeking partnerships with developers, local builders, future residents, that can point the way to a desirable future. We also offer opportunities for advertising and signage in the area.

This new development creates many job opportunities. You may even work on the construction of the development. Once the community is built, you’ll be able to shop or dine with your friends and family or simply stroll along the beautiful waterfront. There are many benefits to the Oyster Bay Development. [May15, 2014]

Water & Sewer Completed at Oyster Bay

LADYSMITH, COAST SALISH TERRITORY, October 9, 2013 – Coast Salish Development Corporation, the economic development agency of the Stz'uminus First Nation, held a celebratory ceremony to commemorate the completion of water and wastewater infrastructure at Stz'uminus' Oyster Bay Reserve. Chief John Elliott and Mayor Rob Hutchins were joined by the Honourable John Duncan to say a few words in celebration of this momentous occasion. Chief John Elliott expressed that the completion of water and sewer "is a success for Stz'uminus and will help make an economy and build the local area". This is the "start of where we are going for our future".
Water and sewer connection has been one of the top priorities for Coast Salish Development Corporation, and after years of hard work the infrastructure is finally in place – development of Oyster Bay can begin.
The Honourable John Duncan was elated to come to this celebration, stating that "one year ago I made the funding announcement for this project – and now Phase One of the water and sewer project is complete". "Your communities have much to be proud of" said Minister Duncan, a testament to the hard work that has been put into completing this project.
Minister Duncan was serving as the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) during the construction of the water and wastewater infrastructure at Oyster Bay. He was a huge support for this project in securing a significant funding deal from AANDC – which provided Stz'uminus First Nation with nearly $1.5 million in August 2012. The Stz'uminus First Nation is working towards a future of self-sufficiency. With the support from AANDC, Stz'uminus First Nation has made great strides in moving towards this goal. ct.
With this integral infrastructure complete, water will soon flow from the Town of Ladysmith to Oyster Bay. Development will be underway within the next 12 months.