The guiding principles here at the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives are to inspire curiosity, involve our community, and share our story. Our latest exhibit, ‘Fixed’, demonstrates all three by exploring the community conversation about creating a fixed link to the Sunshine Coast.
The discussion of a permanent, drivable connection to the Sunshine Coast began in the 1950s, with the introduction of car ferries. While residents would have to wait for up to three days for travel by steamships, the new ferries allowed for quick transportation to and from the Lower Mainland. The influx of visitors began, and this ease of transportation changed life on the coast dramatically.
The discussion of a permanent, drivable connection to the Sunshine Coast began in the 1950s, with the introduction of car ferries. While residents would have to wait for up to three days for travel by steamships, the new ferries allowed for quick transportation to and from the Lower Mainland. The influx of visitors began, and this ease of transportation changed life on the coast dramatically.
To see how the fixed link story has evolved, we included local news articles dating back to the 1950s. Since then, the community dialogue has continued- often when difficulties in ferry service arise. How would the fixed link to the Sunshine Coast affect your life? How do you think it would impact the communities of the Sunshine Coast? The province is in the process of completing a feasibility report that highlights two possible links: a bridge to Anvil Island and a road connecting Langdale to Squamish.
The importance of community involvement is highlighted in our exhibit through a video created in collaboration with students from Elphinstone Secondary, Coast TV, and the Elphinstone TV Club. Students Mary Thompson and Sarah Macey conducted Interviews of fellow students, discussing BC ferries and the possibility of a fixed link. There is also a whiteboard mounted among the exhibit, encouraging visitors to share their thoughts on a permanent connection to the mainland. We take pictures weekly and have included a selection of photos from the board below.
The importance of community involvement is highlighted in our exhibit through a video created in collaboration with students from Elphinstone Secondary, Coast TV, and the Elphinstone TV Club. Students Mary Thompson and Sarah Macey conducted Interviews of fellow students, discussing BC ferries and the possibility of a fixed link. There is also a whiteboard mounted among the exhibit, encouraging visitors to share their thoughts on a permanent connection to the mainland. We take pictures weekly and have included a selection of photos from the board below.
The Sunshine Coast is a unique community, and our location is a big part of our story: not the island and not quite the mainland- our own peninsula. The community conversation surrounding a fixed link has been around for decades, with no end in sight. Will it ever be built?
Drop by the museum Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30-4:30 and join the conversation!
Drop by the museum Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30-4:30 and join the conversation!
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