Saltair Community Society News September 2017

Saltair Community Society continues to successfully operate the community centre.  Income is generated from monthly rental fees received from anchor tenant Inquiring Little Minds Daycare.  The Daycare also covers a good portion of  utility expenses such as electricity and heating. ILM daycare was already in operation prior to the purchase of the property by the CVRD and have single handedly kept the interior of the classrooms and common areas in good repair. Economically, they employ up to nine staff and provide sought after daycare space for up to 60 children.  Daycare is an important service to our Community.

The Society is in the process of  securing other community service oriented renters to further bolster anchor tenant income funds.  This rental income is being accrued with the intention to contribute financially to the upgrades to the building.  Various rooms are still available for social events, public meetings, educational training, Parks Commission, Advisory Planning Commission, SDRA, Elections, garden clubs,  arts and crafts groups, and photography studio use.
The much awaited Saltair Community Building Condition Assessment Report  (click on highlighted text to access reports)   Facility Assessment Condition Report Saltair Community Centre  Building Envelope Condition Assessment of Gymnasium Saltair Community Centre  ,  will be utilized  to apply for applicable grant funding. CVRD staff and Area Director Mel Dorey are currently working on a viable financial plan moving forward that will be amenable to the citizens of Saltair.  Social fund raising and donation events are also being planned by the Society to assist with future upgrade costs.
The Society expresses many thanks to the Saltair folks who took the time to send in “Letters of Support” to the Electoral Area Directors.  Over 26 pro-community centre  letters were received!  Well Done!
 Further support in the form of positive media is still needed, Generate the importance of community spirit and that it can thrive in a good community building, cite examples: Cowichan Hub, Ashcroft Hub, North Oyster Hall, Thetis Island. walkability, a little TLC goes a long way, etc.  Reach out and send letters of support to media outlets such as Take 5 Magazine, Chemainus Valley Courier, Ladysmith Chronicle, Cowichan Citizen, talk to your neighbours and local area residents.
For further updates, news, directorship elections, and for ways you can volunteer or make a difference to further the success of the facility,  please email Bill Cleary – bcleary [at] shaw [dot] ca
Thank you
News provided by
Director, Jackie Rieck,  Saltair Community Society

Saltair Gathers to View Sesquicentennial Quilt

Saltair is such a small hamlet that it isn’t on most maps, but there are many significant places with a rich history in this little unincorporated town. We marvel at our surroundings. The beauty of the ever-changing water, meadows and mountains is breath taking.

Boulder Point/Big Rock Beach at low Tide

In the fall of 2016 some members of the Saltair Community Society suggested that it would be nice to do something special for Canada’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. Among other ideas, someone asked me if I would head such a project and create a quilt that would portray the area and celebrate this special occasion.

Canada Day 150th

It had been a dream of mine for several years to create a quilt that would help represent this small community in a worthy manner and let people know about a unique way of life by those of us who have come from far and wide to live in this pristine setting. I have been a part of this community since 1975 and love how people interact and celebrate each significant holiday with each other.

Our newly created Community Centre became the perfect place for a small group of quilters to meet every week. They agreed to contribute their talents to this massive project. We called ourselves “The Saltair Quilters”. The work began in November 2016 and that is how my dream became a reality.

Winter time planning stages of the 150 Quilt.

After putting this wonderful art project together I spent a total of 64 hours quilting it. I want to make special mention of Mary Chudy from the Crofton Quilters who created and contributed the organza leaves. Then my friend Bronwen Cossey serged the quilt panels and the borders. The Saltair Quilters spent a happy day attaching the leaves in a way that represents the falling leaves of autumn and the passing of time.

Saltair Quilters

Did you find the Big Rock and Stocking Creek Falls? Look for the Old Plantation and the Station House. What about the Saltair Pub and Porter’s Dairy? There is the entrance to Diana Park and not to forget the Coastal Messenger, the ship that has been sailing these seas for many years, bringing the Good News wherever it docked. Then there is the Davis Lagoon Bridge, without which it would be impossible to access Saltair from the north end.

Ta Dahhh Here it is the Saltair 150 Quilt

 

To those of you who have lived in this unique community for many years and also to those of you who have found this hamlet more recently and decided to call it “home”, we are thrilled to present this quilt.

Christa Stegemann

Saltair Centre – Impromptu Gathering a Success!

SALTAIR CENTRE NEWS:

Tim’s Impromptu Social Gathering was a Success!

23 folks attended a coffee & donut social gathering last Sunday, between 1:00 and 3:00 pm , April 23rd,2017 at the Saltair Community Centre.   Social gathering information was posted on  Facebook’s “Saltair Community Page (All Things Saltair)

It was a great way to mingle with friends, new neighbours and build excitement for future get together’s at the centre.

Tim Godau kindly hosted the “social” to help bring attention to the importance of building community spirit, having a designated place to do it in and getting to know your neighbours in Saltair.

Bocce game with Tim Godau and Jane Hope

Lets keep the momentum going, Anyone can host and organize a social. Classroom rates are $15.00 for two hours.

Contact: Saltair Community Society: bcleary [at] shaw [dot] ca

Photo credits: Ed Nicholson

The Saltair Song by Terry Boyle

 

THE SALTAIR SONG                                                            Terry Boyle              03/11/15

 

Well look what they miss on the highway

When they’re hurrying from here to there

They may get where they’re going without ever knowing

The beautiful place called Saltair.

 

Well it’s neither a town nor a city

But it’s rather a home that we share

With its forest and trails as we walk by the rails

Beside Stocking Creek Park in Saltair.

 

When the warm summer breezes are blowing

And the sunshine has banished all care

To the sand at the big rock the happy kids flock

To Boulder Point here in Saltair

 

Our water is some of the purest

That’s something incredibly rare

All credit we’ll take for our fine Stocking Lake

As its nectar flows down to Saltair.

 

The people of Saltair are friendly

With a helping hand always to spare

The community centre’s a brand new adventure

For the volunteers here in Saltair.

 

We have a safe, tropical climate

The palm trees grow tall in the parks

Owls, eagles and deer can have grub through the year

And we can stroll in Saltair after dark.

 

The Lagoon is a wonderful feature

With flora and fauna so rare

Keep your eyes on the road as the log barge unloads

Or you’ll end up in the drink in Saltair.

 

We may wander the world in our travels

To Istanbul, Duncan or Rome

We may not be as famous as downtown Chemainus

But it’s Saltair we love to call home.

 

www.terryboylemusic.com                Facebook: Terry Boyle Music     terryboyle9294 [at] gmail [dot] com

Available for house concerts, festivals and special occasions

TERRY WILL BE PERFORMING HIS SONG AT THIS SATURDAY, FEB 06TH, 2016, AT THE SALTAIR COMMUNITY CENTRE

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