Мэры Парксвилля и Кваликума представили планы развития городов к 2030 году

PROGRESS: Mayors look ahead at future for Parksville and Qualicum Beach Published 5:35 am Thursday, July 16, 2026 View our special Progress section in the July 15 print issue of the PQB News Both Parksville and Qualicum Beach have seen some significant changes in the last century. The PQB News asked current mayors Teunis Westbroek and Doug O’Brien several key questions about the future of their communities. Teunis Westbroek 1. When you picture Qualicum Beach in 2030, what do you hope has changed for the better, and what do you hope has stayed exactly the same? By 2030, I hope Qualicum Beach has made thoughtful progress on housing choices, infrastructure replacement, and improved access to medical care while respecting the Official Community Plan (OCP) and the wishes of residents. What I hope stays exactly the same is our identity as a town; beautiful, walkable, safe, vibrant, connected to nature and our trusted relationship with our Qualicum First Nation neighbours, rooted in the village character and values that set our community apart. 2. As the town plans for future growth, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges between now and 2030, particularly around housing, downtown vitality and environmental stewardship? Our biggest opportunity is to manage growth in a way that supports our environment, businesses and residents, with a special focus on our “Priority Housing Groups”; older seniors, workers, young adults and families. To ensure that residents have access to housing alternatives that meet a diversity of needs, accessibility, lifestyles and income levels. To continue building on what already is working well at the governance and operational levels, and seeing that reflected in the built environment of our community and the lived experience of our residents. Our biggest challenge is making sure infrastructure replacement, attainability of housing and environmental stewardship keeps pace with growth, especially when it comes to protecting our waterfront, aquifer, trees, trails, and green spaces; preserving our amazing quality of life; supporting our business community; and balancing fiscal responsibilities. 3. If a family were considering moving to Qualicum Beach in 2030, what would you want them to see as the city’s greatest strengths in terms of jobs, recreation, services and quality of life? For a family considering a move to Qualicum Beach in 2030, I want them to see our greatest strengths as being a safe, beautiful and welcoming town, with a good quality of life. A place with outstanding recreational and educational opportunities, dynamic arts and culture, a thriving business environment, a town-owned airport, vibrant community events, and access to health care. Most of all, I would want them to see a community where people of all ages belong, contribute and build a future while preserving the sense of community that makes Qualicum Beach the jewel in the crown of Vancouver Island. Doug O’Brien 1. By 2030, what do you hope residents will point to as Parksville’s biggest achievement over the next four years, and what decisions need to be made today to make that happen? I would hope that by 2030 there will be a comprehensive sustainable stored water plan that provides additional capacity by capturing the abundant fall/winter precipitation in reservoir(s) in the vicinity of our public works/ERWS plant to enhance our supply source and eliminating the need for water restrictions. Direction and policies that are being created in the next two months will provide proactive planning and identified funding sources to allow our dedicated staff the ability and tools to fulfil this vision. 2. Parksville continues to grow while trying to maintain its small-city character. By 2030, how do you see the city balancing housing, infrastructure and economic development with the qualities that have long attracted people here? My vision has always been defined as a balanced mix of housing options fulfilled by focusing on social, rental (affordable and market rate), strata plexes and townhomes (the missing middle), condos and SFDs. Currently our gap is the missing middle which we are addressing currently with development companies to fill this niche. City of Parksville asset infrastructure is sound and well managed, with reserves in place and growing to provide upgraded services as needed. Economic development is ongoing by attracting successful companies and businesses to locate in our area while creating well paid jobs (example-Ascent Helicopters) which the City of Parksville assists by creating a variety of Housing options to provide family or professionals opportunity to live, work and play in Parksville. 3. If a family were considering moving to Parksville in 2030, what would you want them to see as the city’s greatest strengths in terms of jobs, recreation, services and quality of life? The strengths have been identified in previous question, however, we must continue to grow and enhance our natural resources and increase livability assets such as expanded recreation, traffic calming, accessibility and a safe, secure diverse community focusing on Island life. Respect and kindness, because all people matter.