8 minute read
Directors' Notes
Jessica Stanley RDN Director Area A
As the completion of the project to recommission the South Wellington Elementary School into a community centre comes into sight, I thought it would be useful to provide a brief review of the project and then, looking forward, dis-
cuss what this project will bring to the community.
In 2022, following an assessment of community approval and a 25-year lease with the school district, the process of
repurposing the school began. Since then, understanding and fulfilling all the required upgrades, including seismic compliance and accessibility upgrades, to get the 1973 building ready for occupancy has occurred with most of the construction happening this year. Unfortunately, all projects during this time frame experienced significant inflation in costs and supply chain challenges.
Thankfully, grants and reserve funds were available to cover these costs. With the construction work in full swing, it appears that one last supply chain delay for electrical equipment will push back opening until approximately December 2025/January 2026. I am almost afraid to put a date in this article for fear of another delay. Fingers crossed; I think we will begin to enjoy our new community space early next year.
Last week, I toured the building and am excited by the progress. The building has 9,108 square feet of indoor space that is separated into five activity rooms, one larger room, office space, bathrooms, storage, and a basic kitchen. Although the space is basic, the wood beams and windows make the space inviting. The real magic will come through the programming and community participation. The work on the outdoor space will follow the opening of the building with the relocation and the rebuilding of the playground equipment occurring first. Other features of the outdoor space (e.g., sport court) will occur when funds are raised either through grant money or community fundraising. The community centre is intended to be a community-run facility. The RDN is currently working with the South Wellington and Area Community Association (SWACA) to develop an operating plan. SWACA’s mission for the community centre is “To support and enhance a sense of community and well-being among all community members by creating a public place to participate in recreational, social and cultural programs and services.” Of course, the focus is on meeting the needs of all residents of Area A, with residents of outlying areas welcome to participate in the services. The operating plan will determine how the facility will be managed and funded. SWACA will not directly provide programing but will work with the RDN recreation coordinator and the community to determine programing and community centre services.
Once open, the vibrancy of this space will be determined by community involvement. The active members of SWACA cannot do it all. The extent to which the community participates and contributes to this community space will be directly related to its success.
We built it. We hope you will come.
Altogether, the South Wellington community centre, the Cedar Community Hall and the Cedar Heritage Centre provide the community with a variety of different types of spaces for community events, community meetings and recreational and cultural activities. I encourage you to look into the RDN Electoral Area A recreation offerings and find something that will bring you some enjoyment, get your body moving and provide the opportunity to meet your Area A neighbours.
You can reach me at 250-268-7359 or jessica.stanley@rdn. bc.ca to provide suggestions or discuss all things Area A.
Ben Maartman CVRD Director Area H
CVRD Area H North Oyster/Diamond
The Diamond in Area H’s Crown: A Community at the Crossroads of Past and Future
Just north of Ladysmith, nestled between rolling hills and the sea, sits The Diamond—a quiet, close-knit neighbourhood that holds a unique place in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD). Though modest in size, The Diamond plays a big role in the future of Electoral Area H (North Oyster/Diamond), and residents now have an important opportunity to help shape what comes next.
As the CVRD moves to modernize its draft Official Community Plan (OCP) and finalize the Local Area Plan (LAP) for The Diamond, this rural neighbourhood, steeped in history, rich in character, and the only designated Growth Containment Area in Area H, is at a pivotal moment. A pop-up event hosted by the Area H Director is coming soon, and local voices are more important than ever.
A Community with Deep Roots
The Diamond’s story stretches back more than a century, to the days when coal mining was the economic engine of this part of Vancouver Island. Established as a residential settlement for miners working in the Nanaimo and Extension coalfields, The Diamond grew into a small community of families, homes, and hard-earned stability. The name “The Diamond” formed where the Wellington Colliery and the E&N railway lines crossed. Over the decades, as mining receded and Ladysmith expanded, The Diamond remained. Its large lots, modest homes, and forested edges offer a balance between rural quiet and urban proximity that continues to draw residents seeking a slower pace of life just outside town.
Rural Neighbourhood, Urban Proximity
Despite being just minutes from downtown Ladysmith, The Diamond is not part of the town. It lies firmly within the CVRD’s Electoral Area H and is represented by an elected regional director rather than a town council. That means residents pay rural property taxes, rely on regional services, and participate in land use planning at the electoral area level. This proximity offers a unique lifestyle, residents enjoy access to schools, recreation, and healthcare in Ladysmith, while living in a community with a distinctly rural feel. There are no commercial centres in The Diamond, just quiet roads, gardens, and the sounds of nature. For many, it’s the best of both worlds.
Local Water, Local Control
Water in The Diamond is managed by the Diamond Improvement District (DID), a local utility governed by an elected board of trustees. Improvement districts are independent of the CVRD and have been a key part of rural B.C. infrastructure since the early 1900s. The DID oversees the water system that has served the community well, but like many rural systems, it faces growing challenges from aging infrastructure to provincial regulations and increased development pressure.
As the community plans for the future, the capacity and condition of the water system will be a key factor in determining what kind of growth can occur, and where.
A Neighbour to Oyster Bay
To the southeast lies Oyster Bay, home to members of the Stz’uminus First Nation. This is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas on Vancouver Island, with deep Coast Salish roots going back thousands of years. The Diamond and Oyster Bay may fall under different jurisdictions—CVRD and First Nation, respectively—but they share a landscape, a watershed, and increasingly, a shared future.
Strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities is a core part of reconciliation, and land use decisions, like those in the Local Area Plan, offer a real opportunity to listen, learn, and build respectful connections.
The Future of The Diamond
Under the CVRD’s draft OCP, The Diamond is the only Growth Containment Area in Area H. This designation means that any future residential growth in the area is intended to happen here, where some infrastructure already exists, and where services like water can be realistically managed.
The Local Area Plan (LAP) now is at the draft stage. It provides more detailed direction for how that growth might look. Importantly, the Growth Containment Area status also means The Diamond will not become a sprawling suburb. The goal is to accommodate modest, thoughtful growth while preserving nature, forests, and the unique rural quality that defines the area.
Time to Get Involved
This fall, a pop-up engagement event hosted by the Area H Director will give residents a chance to review the draft Local Area Plan, ask questions, and offer input. These conversations matter. Your feedback is essential to getting the plan right.
Whether you’ve lived in The Diamond for decades or just moved in, your voice matters. The future of the community is being shaped now, and the choices made today will affect not just infrastructure and housing, but quality of life for years to come.
Final Thoughts
The Diamond is more than a name on a map—it’s a living, evolving community with roots in coal, relationships with neighbours in Oyster Bay, and a future guided by thoughtful planning. As the CVRD updates the draft OCP and finalizes the Local Area Plan, The Diamond’s place in Area H will become even more important.
Now is the time for residents to step forward, share their ideas, and help shape the next chapter in this unique and treasured part of the Cowichan Valley. The date and location for the pop-up event will be in the August Take 5. In Service, ben.maartman@cvrd. bc.ca 250-510-5930
