Owning a cottage. How about Sidney Island?

I awoke this morning to a CBC News story about a dispute in Cottage Country Ontario. It centers around a proposed 49-lot luxury cottage subdivision, "Rosseau Springs," behind existing waterfront properties in Seguin Township. The controversy has divided the local council, drawing fierce opposition from ratepayers and actor Martin Short, who called the development "silly" and "preposterous". 

Ratepayers and local environmentalists worry the subdivision will damage the local ecosystem, threaten the lake's water quality, and change the rural character of the area. Developers and some councillors argue that the majority of the land will remain untouched, and the project will create jobs while providing additional housing in the township.

The application requires rezoning and official plan amendments, and the council remains split as the debate continues. I predict the application will fail.

Growing up in Toronto

This story got me thinking about cottages. I grew up in Toronto, and although some of my friends' families had cottages in Muskoka, my family never owned a cottage.  Nor have I ever owned a cottage in BC, although I have often thought about it. Years ago, Sally and I decided we should buy a cottage on Saltspring. However, it was so difficult to arrange the ferry to get to the island to look at properties I soon realized that maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Furthermore, we lived on an island.

That said, Sally and I have always enjoyed visiting friends who own cottages. Last year, a good friend with a cottage invited me to join him and some friends for a weekend on Sidney Island. Unlike other gulf islands, it is not well known, but as the name implies, it is very near Sidney BC. sidneyisland.com.

According to the island's website: "Unique in British Columbia, perhaps the world, Sidney Island offers the rare combination of ownership of superb waterfront property with a model of sustainable forestry, limited development of common areas, precious conservation zones and miles of sand beaches. 

It is blessed with a Mediterranean-like climate, warm summers, mild winters and less than 30 inches annual rainfall. Not only is it one of the most picturesque, but the last major undeveloped island in the Gulf Islands chain. 

The private lands of Sidney Island total approximately 1,760 acres which includes 111 bare land strata lots totaling about 300 acres. Ownership includes the strata lot and a proportionate interest in the common property of the Strata Corporation which totals about 1,460 acres, the common facilities and other assets of the Strata Corporation. 

The result is an amazing diversity of properties with low, medium and high bank oceanfront, virtually every possible exposure, varied topography, beautiful views, and differing levels of privacy and a range of prices that delivers the best oceanfront values in BC. 

The most brilliant aspect of the development is that there is no public access to the lands owned by the Strata Corporation, it remains private and the natural integrity of the island environment has been protected for those who share in its ownership."

Cottage For Sale!

The reason I am writing this is because my friends now need to sell the cottage they lovingly built over many years. While they always assumed it would pass on to their children, (which so often happens with family cottages), one daughter lives in UK and the other isn't that interested in island life. So they have reluctantly put it up for sale.

It is a lovely cottage on 3.32 acres, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open kitchen and dining/ living room with glass doors and windows framing a quintessential west coast view...ocean and forest. 

Wrapped around the interior are decks for hammocks and lounging. The basics of electricity, water, sewage etc are taken of. There is an outbuilding for guests or office.

According to my friends, the real essence of Sidney Island is the rare opportunity to combine off-grid living with all the safety and entertainment offered by a city about 20 minutes away.

There is a foot ferry that operates in the summer months that runs from the island directly to the town of Sidney. A twenty minute walk through the forest or along the beach to the foot ferry and then into town.  Today Sidney is a beautiful semi-retirement community of restaurants, shopping, a movie theatre and more. 

The island has a network of gravel roads from end to end and to the different beaches. As my friend asks, do you like sandy beach with tidal pools? Do you  like rocky beaches to look for green glass and smooth stones?  Do you like to collect creative driftwood pieces?  

Their 10 and 13 year old grandkids leave on their bikes in the morning with a lunch and return for dinner.  As children raised in Vancouver this is a rare treat. The kind of freedom we had in the 50's

The ocean provides opportunities for kayaking and canoeing and fishing and ocean swimming if you are so inclined.  But the island also has a swimming pond.  You can choose to swim alone or appear with your family at happy hour when many of the island residents congregate.  A great way to introduce your family to the other islanders which includes a wide variety of households from all walks of life.

For those interested in island living, but also seeking a community this is a good island.  Residents enjoy all sorts of groups and clubs.  One group looks after the trails and works on the trail app so that as you are walking one of the cleared trails you will be introduced to different species of vegetation, and of course the fairies that sneak around the island!  

There are groups that look after the historic orchard; there are the firefighters; the medical team; the newsletter group, etc. There is even a movie night, and a group that meets for morning yoga in the summer. There is the Tour de Sidney Island, and the softball game with teams from each side of the island.

There is an airstrip that is useful for all sorts of things, from flying in yourself or friends, or to call a medic.  My friends have had to make use of the medic a few times and they were surprised how quick the response was. There is also a full-time caretaker on the island who is employed by the strata and 'the best friend you would ever want'. 

The prohibition on Foreign Ownership legislation does not apply to Sidney Island. For people moving to Canada, the property offers an opportunity to own a home convenient to a welcoming Island community and minutes from a popular small town.

British Columbia’s first treaty with First Nations applies to and covers Sidney Island.

If you have an interest in buying in a cottage, or know someone who might be interested, I invite you to check out this property. 105 Mapleleaf Lane. Details can be found here: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/29793925/105-mapleleaf-lane-sidney-island

If I was twenty years younger, I would buy it for myself. But I'm not!