May 08, 2024

Ladysmith Official Community Plan honoured for Planning Excellence

Ladysmith, May 8, 2024– Ladysmith Unparalleled, the Town of Ladysmith’s new Official Community Plan has been honoured by the Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC) with a Silver Award for Excellence in Policy Planning – Small Town & Rural Areas Award. Each year, PIBC honors planning work undertaken by professional planners in BC and the Yukon with ‘Gold’, ‘Silver’ and honorable mention awards. The Small Town & Rural Areas Award is open to communities under 80,000 people.

“Council is proud and delighted that the Town’s Official Community Plan has been recognized as one of the finest examples of professional planning work in British Columbia and the Yukon,” said Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone. “The Plan strengthens the vision of Ladysmith as a vibrant, diverse, resilient community adapting to change without passing on undue burden to future generations.  We are grateful to the hundreds of community members who contributed their time and energy to help shape this award-winning plan.”

The OCP review commenced in February 2021 and culminated in the adoption of Ladysmith Unparalleled in May 2023. The community engagement throughout the review included a Big Ideas Fair, workshops, walk-shops, bike-shops, surveys and finished with a community plan-cake breakfast. This robust and creative engagement ensured community members, staff, key contributors, steering committee members, and Council the ability to develop our award-winning long-term vision.

Ladysmith Unparalleled, provides direction for the coming 25 years on land use, Reconciliation, climate adaptation, health and wellness, diversity, accessibility and inclusion, economic prosperity, sustainability, and more.

“This award acknowledges two years of teamwork and extensive public engagement to produce a plan that was shaped by the voices and ideas of the community,” said Ladysmith Director of Development Services, Jake Belobaba.