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LRC’s Dennis Laite says good-bye
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Tuesday, June 30, 2015
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Stz’uminus and partners plan 610 unit Holland Creek development Craig Spence the chronicle
The Stz’uminus First Nation and a group of private partners have submitted a rezoning application to the Town of Ladysmith for a 55.5 hectare, $244 million project south of Holland Creek and east of Dogwood Drive. Over the next 20 to 30 years the partners hope to build a 610 unit development in the quadrilateral Stz’uminus Chief John Elliott and Ladysmith & District Credit Union Director Brian Childs turn the first sod at a ceremony area intersected by Heart marking the LDCU’s signing on as the first tenant of the Oyster Bay mall project. Craig Spence Creek and including the Arbutus Hump – both of which will be protected – says the application, submitted by Glencar Consultants Inc on behalf of the partners. The overall intent of the plan is to create pods of since their historic signing onto the way will make it even easier for all of residential development Craig Spence First Nation’s Land Management our members to access our banking the chronicle Framework (FNLM). services,” he said. “I am just thrilled to be here,” said Elliott said the ground-breaking cerLadysmith & District Credit Union is the first tenant to sign a lease with LDCU Director, Brian Childs just be- emony showed appreciation for the Coast Salish Development at it’s Oys- fore the signing. “We have been in this “many politicians, businesses and orter Bay project on the Trans Canada community for 70 years.” Later he add- ganizations that have supported the ed, “This is not a gamble for us, this is Stz’uminus First Nation in their efforts Highway at Oyster Sto’Lo Road. “Today is an opportunity to bring part- a stake in the community, and we’re to begin development at Oyster Bay,” as well as the new relationship with ners together,” Stz’uminus Chief John going to be here for a long time.” The credit union is looking to open a Ladysmith & District Credit Union. Elliott said at an on-site ceremony He reserved his final thank you to June 24. “It just shows how much we 1,200 square foot location, which will have changed our mindset. I thank anchor the first phase of the planned the Stz’uminus people. “Most of all I you for joining us and being part of 70,000 square foot shopping centre. need to thank my community,” Elliott In a release the day before the cer- said. “I think without the community Stz’uminus.” The site, which is on Stz’uminus First emony, LDCU CEO John de Leeuw and without people giving us the direcNation lands, will be the first develop- said the location makes sense. “The tion we need to go – it’s so very imporment undertaken by the Stz’uminus access from the Trans Canada High- tant to us.”
Ladysmith Credit Union signs on as first Oyster Bay project tenant
while protecting riparian areas; steep slopes; and the top of Arbutus Hump. says the development application. Glenn Carey said final details are being worked out between the province and the Stz’uminus for the sale of the land, which is presently zoned Forestry (F-1). The Stz’uminus will contribute the land to the project; the other partners financing and project management. “It’s a means of economic development for the band,” Carey said. The project will be unique in many ways, he added, noting that the properties will be sold, not leased, as is common with First Nations developments on band lands, which cannot be sold. See Holland Creek Page 3
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