This year, the District Tofino took a significant step toward environmental stewardship with the new Wastewater Treatment Plan becoming operational.

This milestone marks a significant achievement for the community, highlighting years of dedicated effort and collaboration with local First Nations, the Tofino community, and Federal & Provincial Government partners.

The new wastewater treatment plant ensures that Tofino’s sewage is treated responsibly, protecting the local marine environment for future generations. The project, valued at $79.25 million, is the largest capital project the District of Tofino has ever undertaken and will end the decades-long practice of discharging untreated effluent into the marine environment.

This achievement highlights Council's commitment to its Strategic Goal of "Stewardship of Natural Assets," emphasizing its commitment to preserving and enhancing the community's valued green spaces and natural resources for future generations.

For more details on the Wastewater Treatment Plant, including an in-depth video tour of the plant here.

The long-awaited Mackenzie Beach Road Improvements Project was completed in 2024, transforming the route into a modern, accessible, and community-friendly roadway. The project included paving Mackenzie Beach Road from Pacific Rim Highway to Mackenzie Beach Resort, offering a safer and more reliable route for residents and visitors.

Other key upgrades included the extension of the Multi-Use Pathway (MUP) from the highway, running parallel to the newly paved road. The MUP extension was designed to accommodate the high volume of cyclists and pedestrians who previously navigated the unpaved road. Improvements were also made to the public access down to Mackenzie Beach, making it easier for people of all abilities to access the beach.

Additional enhancements included the installation of pay parking spots near the beach access, providing convenient parking options for beachgoers while increasing the District’s revenue from pay parking. The paving project also introduced a new turn-around lane to support better traffic flow and reduce congestion.

The final piece of the project is a new public washroom facility which will soon be completed and available for use, further enhancing the overall experience for beach visitors.

Prior to these improvements, Mackenzie Beach Road was a frequent source of resident and visitor frustration due to dust and persistent potholes, which created safety hazards and affected adjacent natural habitats, including a salmon-bearing stream and wetland. The completion of this project addressed these concerns, reducing dust and protecting sensitive environmental areas. Residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and beach visitors can now enjoy safer, more accessible, and more efficient access to Mackenzie Beach.

In 2024, Tofino celebrated the completion and opening of the Headwaters North and South apartment buildings. Headwaters North welcomed residents in April, followed by Headwaters South in October.

Together, these modern buildings offer seventy-two (72) rental units, from studios to 3-bedroom apartments. Units are available at market rates, rent-geared-to-income (RGI) rates, and deep subsidy rates, ensuring affordability for households with various incomes.

The Headwaters housing project supports Council’s Strategic Goal of ensuring the availability and affordability of safe and secure housing that meets the diverse needs of residents. By providing accessible, affordable, and secure rental options, the project offers housing for families, seniors, and working professionals, allowing more people to live and work in the community they love.

This project was made possible through funding from the Province of British Columbia, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Catalyst Community Developments, the District of Tofino, the Tofino Housing Corporation, and the Online Accommodation Provider (OAP) program, which directs 100% of the Municipal & Regional District Tax (MRDT) from short-term rental transactions in Tofino to the Tofino Housing Corporation.

Interested in making Headwaters your home?
Visit Catalyst Community Developments to learn more and apply.

2024 was the first year the District of Tofino saw a full year of combined revenue from both pay parking programs — Beach Pay Parking, introduced in 2021, and Downtown Pay Parking, launched in mid-2023. By charging fees to visitors at Tofino’s popular beach and downtown parking areas, these programs have increased access to parking while providing an important funding source for community-focused projects.

This year (to date), pay parking has generated over $555,000 in net revenue for the District of Tofino. These funds are directed into the District’s Pay Parking Reserve Fund, Recreation Facilities Reserve Fund and Road Infrastructure Reserve Fund, which supports a range of community initiatives, including:

• Recreation Facilities & Equipment
• Roads, Sidewalks, and Multi-Use Path (MUP) Infrastructure
• Parks Facilities
• Transit

In 2024, pay parking revenues were reinvested into projects that directly benefit the community, with the remainder reserved for future enhancements. This year, pay parking revenues helped fund:

• The new tennis and pickleball courts at the Village Green
• Upgrades to the basketball courts at the Village Green
• Upgrades to the sports fields at Wickaninnish Community School

Pay parking is important for supporting Council’s commitment to enhancing recreation facilities and boosting community well-being. By reinvesting parking revenue directly into community projects, the District ensures that residents and visitors both benefit from these improvements.

In late June, the new Tennis and Pickleball courts at the Village Green opened, introducing exciting new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. This project included a comprehensive overhaul of the courts, featuring upgraded surfaces and subsurface, new fencing, and enhanced accessibility to ensure inclusivity for all users.

The courts were welcomed with enthusiasm, with residents sharing their appreciation for a safe, inclusive, and modern space that promotes active recreation and community connection.

These enhancements were part of the Neill Street Watermain Replacement and Village Green Improvement Project and demonstrate Council’s commitment to developing infrastructure that meets the evolving recreational needs of the community.

In 2024, the District of Tofino launched the S.M.I.L.E. Program (Support Meals Improving Lives of Elders), an initiative dedicated to enhancing the well-being and inclusion of seniors in the community. Since its launch in May 2024, the S.M.I.L.E. Program has provided a welcoming space for seniors aged 55+ to connect, share, and learn together.

Every Wednesday, the District hosts a Seniors Social featuring a warm meal prepared by a local chef, followed by engaging activities like dance classes, art workshops, and skill-sharing sessions. For seniors unable to attend, the District partners with the Better at Home Program through the Pacific Rim Hospice Society to package and deliver meals directly to their homes. This ensures every senior can benefit from the program, whether they attend in person or not.

2024 By-The-Numbers

• 315+ warm meals served during weekly Seniors Socials, with 65 community members aged 55+ attending at least one gathering.
• 400+ portions of soup delivered to senior community members through the Better at Home Program.
• 400 soups sold to senior community members at the Tofino Community Hall, raising over $2000 to support the program’s growth and sustainability.

The S.M.I.L.E. Program is made possible through the generous support of:

• Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Grant
• Better at Home Program (Pacific Rim Hospice Society)
• Clayoquot Biosphere Trust’s Eat West Coast Program

The District of Tofino remains committed to growing the S.M.I.L.E. Program, ensuring seniors have continued access to nutritious meals, social opportunities, and community care.

Learn More About the S.M.I.L.E. Program

This year, the District of Tofino and School District 70 (SD70) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to increase community access to the Wickaninnish Community School facilities and upgrade its sports fields. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to community well-being, active living, and improved recreation spaces.

The MOU provides the community with greater access to school facilities outside of school hours, including the gymnasium and sports fields. As a result, the District of Tofino’s recreation offerings have since expanded to include popular activities like pickleball, basketball, and soccer, with even more recreation opportunities to come.

The partnership also includes a major upgrade to the school’s sports fields, transforming them into a modern, multi-purpose space. Key improvements include expanded field space, two new ball diamonds with dugouts, new fencing, and a levelled playing surface. Construction is expected to be completed soon, with the fields opening for play in early spring once the new grass has had time to grow.

This partnership supports Council’s Strategic Goal of prioritizing the establishment of community recreation facilities that contribute to the community’s health and well-being.

The partnership and subsequent projects were made possible through funding from the Province of British Columbia’s Growing Communities Fund, a land contribution from SD70, and support from the District of Tofino’s Pay Parking Reserve Fund.

In 2024, the District of Tofino reached a significant milestone, becoming officially designated as a Bear Smart Community by the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service. The designation followed years of collaboration with WildSafeBC and demonstrated the District’s commitment to preventing human-bear conflicts, ensuring public safety, and fostering environmental stewardship.

The Bear Smart Community Program is a proactive conservation initiative that encourages communities, businesses, and individuals to take steps to reduce human-bear conflicts. The District of Tofino achieved this recognition by completing six criteria, including conducting a bear hazard assessment, creating a conflict management plan, and implementing bear-proof waste management systems. The final step was Council's adoption of the Tofino Wildlife Attractant Bylaw in April. This bylaw outlines the requirements for proper use and storage of wildlife-resistant containers and for managing attractants such as fruit trees, bird feeders, and chicken coops.

Throughout the year, WildSafeBC played a vital role in educating the community about wildlife attractant management and conflict prevention, supported by $18,000 in District funding.

Learn more about how to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

At a heartfelt ceremony held at the end of May, the Tofino Fire Hall and any future fire hall were officially renamed the George Hubert Memorial Fire Hall. This honour recognizes the remarkable contributions of George Hubert, who dedicated over 35 years to the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department and served for 45 years as an employee of the District of Tofino.

The event brought together George’s family, friends, firefighters, residents, and community leaders to reflect on his lasting impact and how his legacy continues to inspire service and pride within the community. The ceremony included speeches and the unveiling of the new sign on the front of the fire hall. Following the ceremony, firefighters hosted a barbecue while everyone continued to share stories and memories of George.