An Afternoon in Sechelt

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt Monday, September 12th, 2011 — 11:15am PDT

Disclosure: Review — Journalists were not paid to participate in this trip however airfare was covered by The Watermark. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

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Earlier this summer I was invited to Sechelt along with other media to check out the site of the new Watermark development. After working with residents to plan these new seaside condos, developers were ready to show off the buildings’ designs and locations.

We flew out of the sea plane terminal in Coal Harbour and landed on the Sunshine Coast a quick 20 minutes later. The alternative is to pay the one-way fare from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale by ferry however flying gets you there in about half the time. Located about 30 minutes from the ferry terminal in Gibsons, it’s close enough to the city yet far enough away to enjoy the beaches, forest trails, coves, rapids, artisan offerings and more that are all abundant in the region.

I’ve been visiting Sechelt for the last 20 years and there hasn’t been any major changes to the town’s core during that time (although now they have a stoplight) which is part of its charm. There are more neighbourhoods and bigger shops however nestled between the Pacific and the Sechelt inlet, the community is still very close-knit. The Watermark will have two buildings (phase one and phase two) each sitting at six storeys with terraced levels. It’s located near the Sechelt Library, the Aquatic & Fitness Centre, retail, and an oceanfront pathway.

After a quick bite at the Lighthouse Pub (right in the terminal) we hopped back into our sea plane and took off again for Vancouver in the same afternoon.

Returning home, I handed my camera over to John Biehler who rode in the co-pilot seat. Ships criss-crossing the inlet, a BC Ferry on its way to Horseshoe Bay, the green tuft of the Stanley Park peninsula, and the ever-growing skyline of the downtown core.

Sechelt from the air

The Sunshine Coast will always have a special place in my heart (and it’s still a part of the “604” as well). It was nice to hop over for an afternoon and see how it’s growing. The Watermark development (with its impressive floor plans and affordable pricetags) seems to be just the beginning of new chapter for Sechelt. Soon enough, this alluring hidden gem won’t be so hidden.