Year in Review – South Shuswap Scoop
By Jo Boxwell
The South Shuswap is a great place to live, and volunteers are behind many of the local events and resources we appreciate. Scoop highlights from the past year demonstrate how central volunteers were in making 2024 another remarkable year.
Winter
In January, the Shuswap Trail Alliance entered into an agreement with the CSRD for the construction of the Blind Bay Loftus Lake Fen trail. The White Lake Residents Association and BC Parks completed the cleanup of an abandoned, environmentally hazardous encampment on the east side of the lake.
In February, CSRD residents voted against continued taxpayer funding for the Shuswap Watershed Council (982 No to 364 Yes). Advanced voting began in August 2023, but the final results were delayed due to the Bush Creek East Wildfire.
South Shuswap Rides added a second electric vehicle. The volunteer-run organization provides transportation to access appointments and services, for seniors, people with disabilities, are unable to drive, or do not have a vehicle.
The mild weather combined with difficulty sourcing a maintenance contractor prevented the Sorrento-Blind Bay Skating Rink from opening during the winter 2023-2024 season.
Spring
In April, over 600 people attended the second annual White Lake Turtle Festival. The first Notch Hill Town Hall fundraising event of the season was the Spring Homestead Market and Petting Zoo. Moving Theatre Performing Arts and the Arts Council of the South Shuswap hosted Annie Kids, a youth theatre production, at Carlin Hall.
The Cedar Heights Community Association celebrated their 50th anniversary and the South Shuswap Library celebrated their 25th anniversary in May. Various Mother’s Day and Father’s Day events popped up in Scoop calendars during May and June.
Summer
Early summer conditions were hot and dry. Lightning sparked multiple fires in the South Shuswap, including on Bastion Mountain, in the Skimikin area and above Sorrento, but thankfully all were successfully contained. A report identified areas at increased risk of debris flow issues following the 2023 Bush Creek East Wildfire, including Little River towards Sorrento, Talana Bay to Celista and the east side of Adams Lake.
South Shuswap Canada Day took place at Centennial Field in Blind Bay. The well-attended event included a pancake breakfast, parade, entertainment, activities, food and fireworks.
Summer entertainment included the return of Blind Bay’s popular Music by the Bay series, Art on the Green at Cedar Heights and Eagle Bay Day. Farmer’s markets were hosted in Blind Bay and Sorrento.
August marked the South Shuswap Scoop’s 100th edition. The White Lake Community Hall Society held an open house to showcase the hall’s basement renovations. The long-awaited playgrounds at Eagle Bay Park had a soft opening ahead of Eagle Bay Day on August 3.
Fall / Winter
Salmon Arm hosted the 55+ BC Games in September. South Shuswap residents were among the approximately 2,700 athletes participating.
Shuswap wineries suffered the effects of a spring cold snap during harvest time. More sensitive grape varieties, particularly white grapes, were severely impacted.
Blind Bay Memorial Hall staved off possible closure in October when volunteers stepped up to take on key board positions. Cedar Heights Community Association hosted their annual apple pie fundraiser, and the coffee houses at Carlin, Sunnybrae and Eagle Bay began their winter seasons.
Conversations at the CSRD included a potential new road rescue service for the North and South Shuswap, with a public assent process planned for 2025. Water utility fee increases to manage the future maintenance of water systems created some debate, resulting in extended timeframes in some areas to lessen the burden on taxpayers.
School District No. 83 changed its name to K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw, meaning, “we are all connected (people, animals, sky, land, and water) on Secwépemc land.” In November, the board voted to adopt a two-secondary school model as part of the reconfiguration of Salmon Arm and area schools to an elementary-secondary system, eliminating middle schools.
Five candidates put their names forward for October’s provincial election. David Williams of the Conservative Party of BC was elected MLA for the Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding.
Remembrance Day was marked by a ceremony and parade at Sorrento Community Hall and the cenotaph outside St. Mary’s Church.
The Trans-Canada Highway 1 Ford Road to Tappen Valley Road Four-Laning project achieved milestones in 2024, including the construction of the new Tappen bridge and the James Road connection between Ford Road and Sunnybrae-Canoe Point Road.
The FireSmart program in the CSRD reported a record level of interest, with a particularly high uptake in the North and South Shuswap. 14 South Shuswap neighbourhoods engaged in the FireSmart program, and 1,300 yards of flammable materials were removed in 2024.
CSRD Area G Director Natalya Melnychuk became Chair of the CSRD Board for 2024/2025 in November. CSRD Area C Director Marty Gibbons hosted coffee meetings with area residents in December in Sunnybrae, White Lake and Eagle Bay.
Festive spirit arrived with fire department food drives, the CPKC Holiday train at Notch Hill, holiday markets and parties to celebrate the season. Cedar Heights Community Association achieved a fundraising record with their Kids Only Holiday Shopping event, with proceeds going to the Sorrento Food Bank.
From all of us at the South Shuswap Scoop, thank you to everyone who contributed to our communities in 2024. We wish you a very happy 2025.
