Twenty-three Port Alice citizens gathered at the Sea View Activity Centre on Sunday, Jan. 17, to collaborate on
ideas for the future of the village, which has seen economic difficulty since the March 2015 Neucel Specialty
Cellulose mill layoffs. The meeting, named Alice in Action, was a brainstorming session for locals to share
ideas, aspirations, knowledge and experience, organized by residents Pauline Steele, Susan Mohler and Bev
Steffler. Steele, who in October wrote an open letter to Port Alice residents to encourage shopping locally,
retired to Port Alice six-and-a-half years ago. “This place ticked all the boxes,” she said. “I love it here, I’m not
going anywhere. I want to see this place survive. It might not go back to the way it used to be, but I’d like to
keep what we’ve got.”Alice in Action attendees ranged in age from mid-twenties to mid-seventies, and included
lifelong residents, recently retired newcomers, and a few entrepreneurs.The key topic of discussion was the
need to promote Port Alice’s strengths to tourists and new residents, which were identified as the natural
beauty of the inlet and surrounding mountains; a mild climate; the sheltered waters of Neroutsos Inlet for sailing
and kayaking; the affordability of housing; the peace and quiet; the absence of significant crime; ocean and
logging road access to the West Coast; nearby lakes; and the accessibility of wilderness and wildlife. Rona-Lee
Syme retired to Port Alice with her husband two years ago. “We chose to come here for retirement,” she said.
“This fit the bill. It’s affordable, you can live by the ocean, and it’s got so much beauty here. It’s a real little gold
mine. ”Village Councillor Dave Stewart, a 35-year resident said, “I don’t care if I’m the last person in town I’m
going to keep forging ahead to get new people here and keep people here. I’m here to do whatever I can do to
help.” Stewart owns two Port Alice properties and has a potential recreation idea to attract surfers to the
community. Stewart’s wife Natalie, a lifelong resident, said, “I’ve seen what Port Alice can be. We’re trying to
entice people and families to move to this community. People working in camp jobs, families, and for the single
moms, it’s a perfect place to raise kids. Just how much easier it is here, everyone really comes together, we
have inexpensive sports, and we do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for young families.”Other
topics and ideas included: • a lack of accommodation and food servicesdevelopment of B&Bs, or an informal
network of Air B&B type accommodations• encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in Port Aliceattracting tourists•
attracting retirees• welcoming government-sponsored refugees• grooming and promoting the dike hiking
trailsnaming and promoting the Port Alice road as an attraction for motorcyclistsOrganizers of Alice in Action
are planning follow-up meetings, which they hope will lead to more community involvement and
development. Current actions include new promotional web sites and a citizen-organized business
development workshop on Jan. 30. Steele created the web site vancouverislandhiddengem.com to help market
Port Alice and local real estate to retirees. Mohler is in progress creating portalicelife.ca, to promote life, events,
arts, culture, and business in Port Alice. For more information contact: Pauline Steele at 250-284-6252 or
Susan Mohler at 250-209-2499.