communities in bloomjuly 2018

table of contentsIntroduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1About Sicamous .................................................................................................................................2What's New ......................................................................................................................................... 3Judges' Suggestions From 2017 ..................................................................................................5Partnerships ....................................................................................................................................... 9Tidiness .............................................................................................................................................. 10Environmental Action ....................................................................................................................12Heritage Conservation ................................................................................................................. 14Urban Forestry ................................................................................................................................ 16Landscape ..........................................................................................................................................17Floral Displays .................................................................................................................................. 19

introductionSicamous is located halfway between Calgary and Vancouver on the Trans Canada Highway, at the northern end of the Okanagan Valley and Highway 97A. The Sicamous Channel and the Eagle River flow through the community. The scenic beauty of the mountains, lakes and river attract residents and visitors to Sicamous. A recent rebranding encourages residents and visitors to “Live More”.

Sicamous is within the Splatsin Traditional Territory. We value our relationship with the Splatsinaca (people) (members of the Secwepemc Nation) and the partnerships we are developing with them. Our relationship is built on mutual understanding and appreciation for shared economic interest and stewardship for the land, environment and people that live in this beautiful and unique community.

Sicamous is at the forefront of a renaissance. The O� cial Community Plan kicked o� a renewed interest in the potential of our town. Our theme for this year is the revitalization of our main street and town

centre. A sense of the change in the air is encouraging businesses to move into the town centre and to invest in properties and make overs. We still have work to do, but we are on our way!

summer in the shuswap

Year Bloom rating Special Mention Outstanding Achievements/Awards

2005 74.3% 4 blooms Floral Display at Round About

2016 Novice Category Kayleena Taylor - planters

2017 66% 3 blooms New Roundabout

CIB Information and Participation History Population Category: 1001 to 3000

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Population 2429

Website sicamous.ca facebook.com/SicamousCommunitiesInBloom/

CIB Committee Chair Contact Deb Heap

District of Sicamous Contact Melinda Smyrl (Planner)

Area 12.71 km2

Acres of Active Recreation approx. 112 km2

Acres of Passive Recreation approx. 246 km2

Volunteer Coordinator? Yes

about sicamous

Sicamous municipal park spaces include Finlayson Park, Beach Park, Nature Park, Waterfront Walkway, 200 Main Street, Main Street Landing, Sicamous Recreation Centre (Home of The Sicamous Eagles), Curling Rink, Dog Park / Canoe Launch, Lion’s Park, Finlayson Street and Mervyn Road Public Boat Launches, Abbott Trail, and the Cenotaph.

Our waterways are extensive and play a huge role in the community’s active living space. The purchase of the Rail to Trail is complete. This amazing asset will have a huge impact on walking and cycling opportunities, once it is developed. The Rail Trail will eventually connect Sicamous to Kelowna and beyond.

Other Civic Sites: RCMP, BC Ambulance, Fire Hall, Civic Hall & District O� ces, Chamber of Commerce, Museum and Okanagan Regional Library, Post O� ce, Eagle Valley Community Resource Centre, Parksville Elementary School, Eagle River Secondary School, Water Treatment Plant, Waste Water Treatment Plant, Public Works yard.

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what's newThe first guiding principle of our O� cial Community Plan is Town Centre revitalization and that is the theme for our submission this year. The Town Centre is key to the revitalization of Sicamous as a whole and is undergoing an amazing transformation, since the adoption of the O� cial Community Plan in 2016.

BusinessesSeveral major renovations have been started, some in businesses that had been vacant for some time.• Mountain Park Motor Sports completed a major renovation of the old True Value building, resulting in a beautiful show case building at

the Eastern gateway to Main Street.• IDA Pharmacy will soon complete a major renovation resulting in a transformation of the frontage and street scape.• Parkland Dental purchased the old Maggie’s Diner and is in the midst of a major renovation to the building and site.• Eddy Johnston opened his new business “Island Time” in the old Narrow’s Village building. He is doing a great job renovating this historic

space and adding a bike rental business, which is very timely with the rail to trail purchase.• Distillery: Since opening a year ago they have continued to upgrade their property, adding vibrancy to Main Street.• Riverside Docks: the new owner is looking forward to improving the street frontage in the coming year.

Communities in Bloom has had ongoing conversations to provide input and support to the businesses doing town centre improvements. CiB has also directly sponsored the following town centre improvements:• Demonstration Garden: We identified a property that was maintained, but had no curb appeal. CiB pursued a 3 party agreement with

the landowner and the District to develop a solution. We now have a lovely demonstration garden, sponsored by a local nursery that CiB will help to maintain.

• Legion: Last year we upgraded the front of the building, this year we are completing wall repairs and a mural on the West wall. When the District completes their upgrades to the Cenotaph site later this year, we have agreed to add an attractive interface and some much needed parking lot screening.

• Children’s educational vegetable garden: CiB at the Medical Centre / after school program location. • The District of Sicamous is rewriting the unsighlty premises bylaw and has made addressing unsightly premises a strategic priority. CiB is

partnering with the District to implement creative screening and interim solutions.

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what's newCommunities in Bloom has also kicked o� the following initiatives:Harvest Registry, CiB Heritage Committee, Master Composter Program and a Waste Reduction dialogue with local food and drink service providers.

CiB is adopting the philosophy that we are a grass roots organization here for the betterment of the community and the residents. We did not charge residents for plant exchange, or rain barrel program or delivery and we facilitated free participation in the CSRD Master Composter Program. We have strong support from the District, businesses and other service organizations, so we prefer to o� er free services wherever possible.

District of Sicamous has also completed major improvement projects:New branded signage and utility wraps, feature lighting on round about and highway 97, landscaping at Old Town, sidewalk and underground utility completions in key locations, water line extensions and further upgrades to water and waste water treatment plants, completion of rail to trail purchase, award winning branded website, and there is much more to come.

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judges' suggestions from 2017

Suggestion Implemented Notes

General

Highlight what is new yes Listed at start

Highlight New bylaws and policies that apply to grid

partial Sicamous is in the midst of a major bylaw rewrite, will report more on progress in 2019

Branding Logo for CiB yes Used in Social and Print media, including Chamber brochure, also to be added to entrance signs

Recycling receptacles partial Additional recycling has been added and we continue to expand.

Utility Box Wraps yes Utility boxes in all high profile locations have been wrapped as per the new Sicamous Brand

Anti-Litter awareness yes Signage being added in conjunction with CiB. Regular mention in community updates, approaching businesses where problems noted

Bear proofing partial Added bear aware info to plant exchangeHarvest Registry will help reduce fruit on ground

Unsightly Premises partial Council has added addressing unsightly premises to strategic priorites, partnering with District and realtors to address issues, bylaw being rewritten, community education

Tidy Street Contest, adopt a street not yet Working with District on an 'Adopt a Planter' program

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Suggestion Implemented Notes

Environmental

Programs/Grants to reduce water useage

yes Water meter program continues to expand, rain barrel give away started

Storm Water Management yes Working with property owners on restoring and maintaining ditches

Energy Reduction no BC Hydro customers receive rebate o� ers, but we have done nothing to build on this yet

Reduce garbage in landfill with special events

yes CiB sponsored Master Composter program• Composters available at cost• helping to educate re compost• CiB sponsored free rain barrels for

residents from used/new antifreeze and oil drums

• district o� ered free metal and organic curbside pickup in advance of community clean up

• initiated email group with local bars/restaurants, residents and media about going straw less and other waste reduction opportunities

Salmon Awareness partial Working on strategy

Earth day celebration yes Sicamous had its first family earth day beach cleanup and yoga / gratitude event

judges' suggestions from 20176

judges' suggestions from 2017Suggestion Implemented Notes

Heritage

Policies and Bylaws planned District in midst of major bylaw rewrite

Inventory / Partnership yes • Working on joint identification Splatsin territories

• Bridge archaeology• municipal campground

/ interpretive centre

Seek out pioneers yes • initiated a CiB heritage committee (building)

• fostering stronger relationships with museum for heritage trail and commemorating heritage resources

Recreation Centre yes have included and added to judges tour

Railway Company as resource initiated have contacted CPR and charges apply, so will look for opportunities to include them as a resource in the most cost e� ective way possible.

Urban Forestry

Tree audit yes twice annual tree health inventory conducted

Identify preferred species yes District has a list of preferred species

Education programs workshops / giveaways

planned in discussion with District of coming year

Memorial Trees not yet not a priority

Donate trees partially 2 mile / roundabout / plant exchange (cedars, Japanese maples)

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judges' suggestions from 2017Suggestion Implemented Notes

Landscape

More Branded Signage yes • 3 branded entrance signs have been added• branded billboards added on highways• utility box wraps• branded way post/signs added throughout town

Turf & Integrated Pest Mgmt. yes mosquito control in place

Expand Banner Program yes expanding, exploring options for more

Street contest no focused energy on Main Street projects, supporting re-development e� orts

Introduce Pollinator Gardens in discussions local bee keeping enthusiast

Expand planters yes pursuing and exploring memorial planter program

Group planters partial DOS informed of suggestion

Floral Displays

Youth / seniors bulb planting yes school students planted da� odils along Hwy 97A

workshops planned planning for 2019

Children’s veggie gardening yes constructed a children’s vegetable garden at after school program, volunteers help with weed identification

Resident Contests expanded no focusing on featuring local gardens on facebook

Business Involvement yes planning 'Adopt a Planter' program and businesses have been great about working to improve sites

Themes / hanging baskets planned planning changes for 2019

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partnershipsCommunities in Bloom is a strong supporter and partner of the District of Sicamous, as well we have worked hard to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with the following organizations

Legion Eagle Valley Arts CouncilSplatsin Red Barn MarketHigh School Eagle Valley Resource CentreBuckerfields Revelstoke Bear Aware SocietyAce Hardware Art ShowInvasive Species District of Sicamous after School ProgramAnnual Walk Run Senior’s CentreSicamous Museum Sicamous & District Chamber of Commerce

We look forward to expanding this list in the coming years.

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tidinessMunicipal• O� cial Community Plan cites Community Beautification as a Guiding

Principal for development and District operations. District is undergoing a major associated Bylaw review and rewrite in 2018

• Gateways / entrances have been identified as key areas for the District to enhance and maintain.

• Addressing unsightly premises has been added as a strategic priority and the bylaw is being rewritten. A streamlined online complaint process has been added https://www.sicamous.ca/your-municipality/departments/bylaw-enforcement

• District is building on rebranding with entrances, utility boxes and other high profile locations

• District makes cleanliness of public spaces a priority as they are a key to the successes of events, which are critical to local business and an important source of civic pride.

• District provided free curbside pickup of yard waste and metals before community cleanup

• CSRD added free tipping fees for yard waste and metals year round.

Business & Institutions• Businesses have been actively engaged in improving the Sicamous town

centre.• Chamber of Commerce is actively involved with CIB committee.• Businesses supported cleanup e� orts on earth day and annual community

cleanup. • Legion hosted lunch for community cleanup.

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tidiness

volunteers as part of the annual volunteer celebration. The Legion provides a lunch for all the volunteers on the days of clean up.

• Communities in Bloom regularly posts updates to local chat sites with suggetions such as taking along a bag on walks to picking up any litter you see.

• Earth Day beach cleanup was initiated by a local resident and new business in town.

Residential

• Communities in Bloom sends out regular updates to residents about sprucing up their front yards and picking up litter on their walks around town.

• The residential housing market is improving, derelict homes are being sold and removed or renovated.

• Residents have commented favourably about the improvements to Main Street and are starting to take more pride in their own properties as well.

Community Involvement

• The annual spring cleanup is well supported by members of the community. There has been a significant reduction in the amount of trash collected from more than 19,000 pounds in 2015 to less than 500 pounds in 2018.

• The clean up receives support with the CSRD providing free tipping fees, the District provides supplies and equipment and recognizes

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environmental action• Enhancing the natural environment is a guiding principle of the O� cial

Community Plan • The environment is a strong focus for the community and for any development

that occurs and the district’s long term plans for best practices are documented in the OCP.

• Sicamous has an application for a municipal campground that includes enhancement of the existing wildlife sanctuary / nature park and small scale commercial agricultural operation.

• Sicamous is part of a partnership that has purchased the “rail to trail” to convert the old rail line to an amazing natural recreation corridor.

• Sicamous is lobbying to have CPR install a spray station to reduce coal dust in our community.

• Upgrades to the water and waste water systems continue. Sicamous has state of the art systems which protect residents and the environment and noncompliance programs have been successful.

• Sicamous is supported by CSRD composting program. The District plans to review a curbside collection program through the CSRD.

• District is undertaking a comprehensive study of the Sicamous Channel to ensure environmental stewardship, flood mitigation and economic enhancement of the area and a channel walk way

• Sicamous has two conveniently located recycling facilities that accept most packaging and has recently expanded acceptable materials.

• Sicamous has annual electronics and hazardous waste collection. • Sicamous supports flood mitigation by setting up sand bagging station

collection and drop o� and provides lake debris collection containers after flood events.

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environmental action

in general with local food and drink establishments.

• Inaugural Earth day Family Beach Cleanup was a success

• CiB / District hosted Community Cleanup showed significant drop in garbage collected, due to increase public environmental awareness.

• CiB initiated a Harvest Registry. 1/3 to go to property owner, 1/3 to picker and 1/3 to Food Bank.

• CiB facilitated a very successful free rain barrel give away to recycle anti-freeze and oil barrels

Business & Institutions

• Email group started by CiB identified amazing ways local restaurants / bars are reducing waste.

• Resource Centre / Food bank has added additional cold food storage to be able to handle increased donations of fresh produce.

• Businesses participated in new Earth Day event.

• Local boat rental company donated barrels from boating operations for rain barrel program.

Residential

• Although curbside garbage collection is not available, the community has embraced recycling and the private garbage collection services seem to work well, as illustrated by the significant reduction in dumping and littering in the community witnessed at the community cleanup.

Community Involvement

• CiB hosted a very well attended Master Composter program workshop.

• CiB has initiated an email group conversation about going strawless, strategies to address new rules for organic waste and waste reduction

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heritage conservationHeritage Conservation in Sicamous is challenging. Many early structures in the community were located along the water and did not survive floods over the years, with the Town Site being relocated several times. We love to celebrate our amazing history in our special places, even if the buildings are gone.

Municipal• Sicamous is evaluating heritage policy options to address heritage resources.

Discussions with Council regarding establishment of a community heritage register are planned for Summer 2018.

• The District purchased the Cenotaph from the legion in 2018 to facilitate its improvement as a public monument and dedicated park.

• The local museum is housed in the District O� ce and the curator is a long-time resident and former mayor. He has also produced a series of before and after photo books of the community

• CiB discovered a building from a Ukrainian Internment Camp, at a development site. The District moved it to the public works yard to restore and it will be moved to a suitable location.

• The bell at the fire hall has been restored and is located in a floral display.• The Roundabout celebrates the Sicamous, Splatsin and CSRD partnership

with traditional artwork.• Main Street landing and bridge abutment viewing area highlight old Trans

Canada Highway.• First nations have a long rich history in the area and partner with the District

to celebrate this, including Sicamous hosting Aboriginal Day and Pow Wow in 2017.

• Caboose at the entrance to Finlayson Park, celebrates the history the railway has played in the community. Craigellachie: the location of the CPR last spike is East of Sicamous.

• Sicamous has a long history of being a gathering place for campers. Much of that was lost in the condo boom. An application is in place to remove land from the ALR for a municipal campground. It would include a partnership with the Splatsin for a Secwepemc interpretative centre.

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heritage conservationBusiness & Institutions • The Red Barn is a historical building that has been painstakingly repaired

and maintained and is the home of the Eagle Valley Arts Council. It required significant repairs in 2012.

• The Legion has been undergoing renovations to extend the life of the building. The pictures on the front and the mural on the west wall celebrate our veterans.

• The Chamber of Commerce has taken a lead, partnering with CiB to create a heritage trail to identify and celebrate special places. CiB funded the design work and will support installation of the heritage trail signs.

• The Burner Restaurant East of Sicamous was made from a decommissioned beehive burner (wood waste burner from sawmills), that recognizes the logging / mill history of the area.

• DOS hosts an annual road hockey tournament on Canada Day that celebrates the prominent place our small town has played producing hockey stars. Many stars participate to the delight of the kids.

• The Recreation Centre has also had an important role in continuing our hockey legacy in Sicamous (see: www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/videos/5031276117001/hockey-has-a-home-in-sicamous).

• Road names celebrate many of the founders of Sicamous and hockey celebrities over the years.

• Eagle Valley Resource Centre has a commemorative wall illustrating their history• The Sicamous Museum is a crucial link to the heritage of our area.• The Phoebe Ann Paddlewheeler has recently been acquired by a local business

owner with the intent of restoring it and o� ering tours.

Residential• The Bruhn House has been lovingly maintained as a Bed and Breakfast which

celebrates the home and its place in the history of the community

Community Involvement• CiB has supported the heritage trail initiative, as well as initiating a heritage

committee with local historians and First Nations.• Community embraces events that celebrate our traditions and heritage. Hockey

tournaments, car show, movies in the park, Christmas Train and Tree light up, stomp, parade and Fungi Fest

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urban forestryMunicipal • The District continues to develop their Partnership with the City of Enderby and

Splatsin to form a Community Forest.• The Distrcit works with arborists and professional landscapers to monitor tree

health.• Bird nesting trees are not allowed to be removed during nesting season.• Retaining healthy trees in public places is a priority.• Trees that had to be removed with the construction of the new round about were

relocated to the green space at 200 Main Street location.• Trees that had to be removed from new development at 2 mile were identified by

CiB and moved• The District accepts tree donations from individuals and organizations.• The District has initiated a community wildfire protection plan to assess the vast

crown, municipal and private lands that make up the wildfire interface.Business & Institutions • Most businesses take pride in their frontage and include a variety of shrubs and

trees.• Redevelopment of properties includes planting requirements for development

permitResidential • Driving through Sicamous, the care and consideration that has been given to the

Design and diversity of trees in landscapes is obvious.Community Involvement • CiB will look for opportunities to add arbour care workshops to other events in

the coming year• CIB advocated for retention of the trees removed from the roundabout and 2

mile for the addition of screening trees at 200 main. The district has been a great partner in this e� ort.

• CiB secured donations of trees for behind the demonstration garden on main street to further improve the street scape and urban forest

• Tree planting programs have not been as much of a priority for Sicamous as in other communities. Residents and Businesses have created a beautiful urban forest that has not required much help from Community Groups, but CiB will continue to pursue opportunities to build our urban forest.

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landscapeMunicipal• Encouraging and enhancing community beautification is a guiding principle of

the OCP.• Landscape features are located at entrances to the community with new

branded signage.• Utility boxes in high profile locations have all had wraps added with the new

community brand.• The new roundabout is a great example of award winning transportation design

combined with an amazing public art feature. An amazing lighting feature has been added for evening beautification.

• Public wayfinding sign posts have been installed throughout the community. Trail signs installed by the District and Shuswap Trail Alliance mark walking and hiking trails throughout town.

• Key sidewalk completions on Main Street and to Senior’s Centre have been completed.

• District has made it a priority to have major events hosted in public green treed areas to improve the experience (especially during hot months). The public dog park and 200 Main Street are examples of areas that serve a dual purpose and provide needed event locations for the community.

• The District has public landscaping and design around the Roundabout, Water Treatment Plant, City Hall, Dog Park and utility area and landscaping has been added at Old Town.

• Locations of note: Youth memorial garden at High School (includes student bench from 2017 project), Main Street Landing, Beach Park underpass entrance.

• District adopted Universal Design Principles with OCP in 2016. District continues to look for opportunities to accommodate seniors and make Sicamous Seniors and dementia friendly.

• District recognition of volunteers in the community with BC day parade and BBQ.

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landscape

Residential• Sicamous residents continue to create diverse and interesting plantings. Improvements are noticeable.• CIB invited Shuswap Invasive Species Group to come out and talk to residents at Spring Plan exchange and looks for opportunities to

educate residents regarding invasive species.

Community Involvement • Harvest program is being advertised. It would reduce spoiled fruit that attracts bears and would provide home owners, pickers and the

food bank with equal shares of fresh fruit. • Demonstration garden on Main Street and Children’s vegetable garden are both 2018 projects.• Mural painting of the legion wall is progressing with the help of volunteers from the art’s council.• Gardens at the senior’s Centre are all planted and maintained by volunteers. Produce is used to support meals on wheels and seniors

lunch programs in Sicamous.• Resource centre garden and community kitchen to assist young families in the community.• Volunteer weeding continues.

Business & Institutions • CiB has initiated an email group with the Town Centre Businesses to discuss

and update the group on developments and plans for the area. It is a good opportunity to share progress and ideas to further encourage beautification of the Town Centre. Signage, plantings, screening and renovations are all part of the conversation. Several businesses have initiated major renovations in the town centre which will have a huge impact on the streetscape.

• Discussion regarding opportunities for seasonally adjusted plantings and decorations continue.

• Many businesses around town use interesting e� cient planting schemes with xeriscaping to minimize water use to ensure plantings are attractive and sustainable.

• Legion membership very excited about assistance from CIB and provided volunteers to assist with improvements to the West wall to prepare for mural painting.

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floral displaysMunicipal

• The guiding principle of Encouraging and enhancing community beautification is also reflected in our floral displays.

• Our head gardener creates amazing planters and plantings that are visually striking and creative.

• Public Works program includes edible gardening and integration of food into public landscaping and can be seen throughout the town centre and Beach Park entrance.

• Municipal Hall, Roundabouts (Highway 97A & Main Street) are maintained and landscaped to be visible as year around display areas.

• District Public Works Department have a year round greenhouse program

• Of note: boat planters at civic hall, waterfall planter in front of Main Street Landing, Fire Hall, planters throughout the town centre, round abouts.

Business & Institutions

• Many of the businesses take great pride in their planters and plantings. Ace Hardware has a lovely flower garden at the front of their business and has made other improvements to their frontage. As well they have been an amazing partner and supporter of Communities in Bloom projects.

• Parkland Mall was quick to follow our advice about planter improvements for 2018.

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Residential

• Feedback we have received from residents is they love what they see being done on Main Street and it shows in increased pride flowing through in to the residential areas.

• With the focus on Town Centre and limited volunteers, residential displays has not been as much of a focus for CiB in 2018, but residents have been making strides with their own e� orts.

• CiB plans to showcase some of our amazing residential gardens in regular community updates.

Community Involvement

• Students assisted with bulb planting along Hwy 97A in the fall of 2017.

• Children’s educational vegetable garden was constructed for after school and summer program.

• Plant exchange sponsored by CIB as a community service. Donations were given to the Red Barn Market for their support of CiB.

• Annual walk run event proceeds will be donated to Communities in Bloom for construction of a Beach Park Garden in conjunction with building addition at the park later this year.

• Children's flower show has been initiated in partnership with the annual Art Show to encourage floral plantings and displays and to boost interest in CiB participation and programs.

• Volunteer weeding continues.

• Volunteer hours spent on community projects have been significant.

floral displays20