The Town of Qualicum Beach undertook planning and visioning for a new waterfront park at the former St. Andrews Lodge site (3319 Island Highway West)! Some elements of the plan considered:

• A park vision and guiding principles
• Short-term and long-term options for activities that could occur in the park
• Ideas for new park facilities
• Key challenges and opportunities that exist on the site today, and that may arise in the future
• Priorities to sustainably balance park recreation with respect for the waterfront’s environmentally sensitive areas

The Project Timeline

• June 2019 - Planning & visioning event held for public input.
• June - July 2019 - Online survey completed for public input on Phase 1.
• July 2019 - Information Table at Beach Day Event
• September, 2019 - Public Outreach. See results here
• October, 2019 - Online survey. See results here
• January, 2020 - COW Meeting presenting Preferred Concept Plan.
• February, 2020 - Concept Plan adopted. See the plan here
• February, 2020 - Council approves next steps. here
• March 2020 - Naming Feedback Invited.
• June 2020 - Feasibility Report presented to Council, Council approved follow up actions. Memo here
• July 2020 - RFP seeking proposals for former St. Andrews Lodge Building- here
• November 2020 - Decision to rescind motion to demolish St Andrews here
• November 2020 - tree remediation complete
• Spring 2021 - Park Opens
• A ballot question is added in the 2022 Election asking "Should the Town spend the necessary funds, up to a maximum of $700,000, to refurbish the St. Andrew’s Lodge building?". Read more information here
• The park is gifted with the name Saahtlam Park from Qualicum First Nation. Read more here.
• June 2023 - official naming and interpretive signage unveiling by Chief Michael Recalma - see the sign here.

Further Reading

• St Andrews Concept Plan - Final
• Workshop Intro Concept Boards
• Feedback Summary Phase 1
• Feedback Summary Phase 2
• Memo to Council Feb 5, 2020
• Memo to Council June 24, 2020 (with Feasibility Report)
• Request for Proposal - St Andrew's Lodge
• Tree Inventory and Management Plan
• Canopy Inspection Report
• Open Letter to Council - November 4, 2020 - St. Andrews Lodge Building
• Memo to Council - October 7, 2020
• Media Release - Lodge Decision Rescinded