– Jen Dart is Executive Director of the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at 250.725.3153. www.tofinochamber.org.
TOFINO – While we don’t have any final numbers yet but this summer has likely been one of the busiest in Tofino, as it has been in other areas of BC. If lack of vacancies and crowds were any indication, it certainly was.
Amidst the busyness some exciting events took place over the summer, not the least of which is the annual Tofino Saltwater Classic – a fishing derby started by NHLer and part-time Tofino resident Brendan Morrison. This year’s derby raised some $60,000 for an array of local initiatives, including the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department, the local elementary school and the Tofino Salmon Enhancement Society.
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The Raincoast Education Society held its annual Tofino Lantern Festival in the Tofino Botanical Gardens, a magical evening of lanterns, music and fundraising for the Raincoast Field School. To learn more about this non-profit, please visit www.raincoasteducation.org.
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Congratulations to the Tofino Heritage Society on the recent opening of the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum, located on the lower level of the Royal Canadian Legion on Main St. The realization of this project that showcases Tofino’s First Nations, and maritime and town history comes after many years of volunteer work on the society’s part. Have a look when you’re next in town.
Two other NHL hockey players were recently involved in the purchase of a local resort. Willie Mitchell and Dan Hamhuis joined with developer Andrew Purdey to purchase Marina West Motel, a 63-room motel, restaurant and marina, located in downtown Tofino (previously owned by the Victoria-based LeFevre and Company).
From the new owners: “We are committed to making [the Marina West Resort] one of the best blue-collar marinas in the Pacific Northwest by adding fresh resources, energy and eyes to the property. All three of us are BC boys from small towns who have a passion for fishing, the outdoors, our oceans and that small town camaraderie.” The three owners celebrated the acquisition with a community barbecue featuring beer from Tofino Brewing Company and the music stylings of local band Little Saturday on August 14th at the resort.
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Here at the Chamber we are planning several fall member activities, the first of which will be an evening boat cruise aboard Jamie’s Whaling Station’s Lady Selkirk vessel this month. Jamie’s is generously sponsoring this opportunity for members to reconnect after a busy summer season.
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We are also looking forward to business walks with NDP MP Gord Johns during Small Business Month in October. The Chamber last participated with the District of Tofino in other business walks in 2014.
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We welcomed the following new members over the summer: Tofino Soap Company, 251 Things to do in Tofino, Boulton Spice, Bean at the Cove, Renna Financial, Tofino Skylodge and Lisa Fletcher Jewellery. We welcome these local businesses to the Chamber network and look forward to serving them.
