Ask anyone in town this summer, whether it is choir members from International Choral Kathaumixw, riders in the BC Bike Race or backpackers hitting the Sunshine Coast Trail, and the consensus is clear: we live in one of the most attractive places in the world.
Unlike previous decades where Powell River had the beauty, but not the infrastructure to back it up, we have finally reached the point where those who do visit the area are able to have a complete experience: adventure tourism, accommodations, restaurants and pubs and that lingering desire to come back for another round.
While some Powell River residents have a fear that everything is moving too fast, too soon, there are others who believe change, or what they refer to as progress, cannot happen soon enough. Therein lies the delicate balance between a city’s past, present and future.
Where are we headed? How are we going to get there? What are the results of these actions, positive and negative?
It is entirely possible that we may look back on the summer of 2016 as the turning point of the city of Powell River.
As the recent PRISMA festival leads into Kathaumixw, and with BC Bike Race and a number of other large festivals and events, also scheduled through July and August, there is a sense that everything is happening at once; that there are too many choices.
Welcome to a city. In a city, festivals and events are constantly going on; every day there is something new to see and do.
It remains to be proven that we can sustain or even need to have as many festivals and events as other small cities, but the amount of activity this summer and the sense of creative and community energy in the air suggests Powell River has truly arrived.
For those who grew up here or have come back after a long absence, this is an exciting time for our little town. For those new to the city, it may just validate their choice in moving here.
Some locals used to think of Powell River as a place they would want to get out of as soon as they graduated high school. Now it is a place they dream to come back to.
Those of us who are already lucky enough to live here can now revel in that good fortune and diligently spread it around. The best thing we can do for Powell River is share it with others who take an interest, and this summer will have no shortage of that.
Jason Schreurs, publisher/editor
