Tofino is the coastal village at the end of HWY 4 on the west side of Vancouver Island (the edge of the Pacific). It is the jumping off point for outdoor enthusiasts taking in the expanse of nature found in Clayoquot Sound, an area of untouched wilderness of ocean, beaches and mountains. A place where wildlife can be found in its abundant natural setting, whales, seals, sea lions, bears, wolf and deer. The ocean has a bounty of seafood, salmon, halibut, crab and prawns. The underwater scenery is equally dramatic for those that search below the surface in the many popular diving spots.

Tofino is also the coastal hub for the many smaller communities in Clayoquot Sound, as well, private retreats and outlying residents. Tofino is a safe harbour where you can shop for trip provisions and load you boat for a journey out on the Sound. Whether you are in a coast vessel or a kayak, this is the stepping off point. From the Center of Town it’s your access the Edge of the World.

If you’re a resident of the area you already know that finding moorage can sometimes be a challenge. The Tofino Harbour Authority manages four government docks in Tofino: the Crab dock, 4th Street dock, Wingen Lane, and 1st Street dock. Collectively these have 120 boat slips. Until the Shore was completed there were only four private marinas, one exclusively for residents of Kind Fisher condominiums and the other three for public moorage. The public marinas (Trilogy, Method Marine, and Weigh West) together add another 85 boat slips. With only 200 boat slips serving a community with a summer population of 20,000, the value of moorage space is at a premium.

With this knowledge in mind the Shore team allowed a public access area in their private marina dock for short term moorage so that more people could drop off, pick up and access the many services in the town of Tofino.

Now open for the 2012 season, this new marina will allow for access right at the center of town. The dock gangway attaches to the waterfront promenade and staircase leads right onto Main Street and the many amenities downtown Tofino has to offer. Centered between 2nd and 3rd Streets on Main, the dock is in close proximity to great restaurants like Tough City and the Spotted Bear and steps away from supplies at The Co-op or Storm Outfitters. This new marina makes it all completely accessible for the traveling boater.

The Shore marina also has 24 exclusive boat slips for its residents giving moorage access less than 100 steps away from their home. This was one of the key features of the development. For an outdoor enthusiast the residences at the Shore have it all, underground parking, kayak and surf board storage and deep water moorage. So once you have watched the majesty of the sunrise usher in a new day, everything that you are inspired to do is simply a few steps away from your doorstep.

By Jen Dart

There are only a three remaining commercial retail vacancies at the Shore on Main St. in downtown Tofino and the summer season is fast approaching.

Three retail units front Main St. in the heart of this bustling village. A larger space was just finished construction on the waterfront for the turn of 2012. This looks out onto the splendor of Clayoquot Sound and is perfect for a restaurant or a wellness center.

The Shore is a centrally located mixed development, one that combines waterfront living and playing with street-side commercial units, and what is sure to become a bustling waterfront area.

The residential condominiums at the Shore are nearly sold out, with only three harbourfront units and two penthouses remaining of the initial offering of 24 units. Thus far the owners of the condos are an international mix, representing the varied visitors to Tofino. A combination of Canadian, American and international owners have taken advantage in the value of the most unique real estate development to be available in Tofino.

The location of the building on Main St. is in the heart of Tofino as is the “Centre of Town” but on the “Edge of the World” overlooking Clayoquot Sound and the Pacific. When the settlement that would become the town was relocated from Stubbs (or Clayoquot) Island to its present site around 1905, Main St. was the town centre, boasting the general store, the Royal Canadian Legion and many homes.

The location of the Shore is that of the former BC Packers fish plant, an integral part of the town’s economy during the resource boom time of decades past.

As Tofino has shifted to a tourism-based economy, it seems fitting that this location is now part of that shift. Currently, the commercial units available at the Shore represent the bulk of a limited commercial market in Tofino. Other spaces available in town are for sale only, with prices ranging from $42,000-$200,000 and square footage from 800-4,000 sq/ft.

With its prime Main St. waterfront location, varied size, and flexibility between leasing and ownership, the Shore’s commercial spaces are unparalleled.

The Main St. units range from 500 to 2,000 square feet, and two are offered for sale or lease. A third waterfront building with 6,500 square feet is being offered for lease only. Current tenants of neighbouring commercial spaces on Main St. include Westland Insurance, Ocean Outfitters, a busy wildlife boat tour operator, and Plush, a boutique that carries women’s clothing as well as housewares and gift knick knacks.

The waterfront pier building houses the largest retail space and is ready for tenant improvements. This structure, located on the dock adjacent to the Shore’s 24-slip marina with a westward facing viewpoint into Clayoquot Sound, it’s truly one of a kind.

The Shore developers are willing to tailor this unique space to suit the needs of a retailer’s vision. Due to its location in the midst of a bustling development where both residents and visitors alike will be enjoying the waterfront, they don’t anticipate this opportunity to last long.

The Shore development includes a dedicated public walkway along the waterfront, as well as a public boat docking area. These two features ensure traffic on the foreshore of the development will be mixed with both residents and other users. Under any circumstance, the waterfront area associated with the Shore development promises to be a vibrant and exciting space. To become part of it, please visit the retail portion of the website at www.theshoretofino.com.

It looks like there will be unseasonably warm temperatures in many places in Canada this season, but Tofino is definitely one of the best places to experience a green Christmas. While it has been known to snow here at this time of year, the chances this year are looking quite slim. You’re more likely to enjoy a little wind, maybe some rain, and definitely some beautiful beach walks.

You’ll also enjoy getting away from all the hustle and bustle to focus on times with loved ones.

Leading up to the Christmas season, the community of Tofino hosts a number of fun, festive events. Christmas craft fairs and bazaars as well as some fundraising events help us all get in the spirit of the season.

The Pacific Rim Hospice Society Radioathon took place Dec. 9th. Over $10,000 was raised for this valuable west coast organization that provides much-needed end-of-life care and assistance. If there is a loved one you’re missing during this holiday season, visit Hospice’s Remembrance Tree at the Tofino Post Office and place a tag with their name on it.

Each year, the local Food Bank on the Edge organizes a Christmas hamper program for families in need in our west coast communities. The estimated cost of the program is between $7,000 and $8,000, and it is roughly $75 to sponsor a family (if you wish to donate please send a cheque to: Food Bank on the Edge, Christmas Hamper Program, Box 1146, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0).

The food bank also teams up with ReMax Mid-Island Realty’s Christmas Angel Program and the BC Liquor’s Christmas Bear program to provide children’s toys along with the hampers. Simply purchase a bear at the Liquor Store (with each bear purchased, one will be donated), and contact ReMax for information on how to get a toy to a west coast child.

For your own celebration, many local restaurants will be open during the holidays (check with them and it’s a good idea to make reservations at this time of year). If you prefer to do the cooking yourself, check this month’s issue of Tofino Time magazine for Tofino chefs’ own picks for holiday feasts. Most Tofino restaurants will also be offering New Years Eve special menus (reservations definitely recommended!).

A Christmas or Boxing Day surf or hike might in order to work off all the eating and drinking. Many surf schools are offering lessons throughout the holidays.

For hikes be sure to check the tide guide before heading out as conditions can change quickly. Low tide is always the best way to avoid potentially dangerous – and wet – conditions. Rolling logs are a danger at high tide, and there may not even be a beach to walk on!

However you spend your days, the Christmas season in Tofino will be well accented by finishing the day cozily in front of the fireplace in your condo overlooking Tofino harbour.

Happy Holidays from the Shore!

Photo: Roland Tanglao

The first time Shore condo owners Dave and Linda Hartzell visited Tofino they flew in and couldn’t leave.

It wasn’t self-imposed, however. It was September 2001 and all air traffic was grounded due to the attacks in their native United States.

“People were so kind,” said Dave. “It impressed us so much how kind Tofino was and we still feel that way.”

Now 10 years later, the Portland couple owns a waterfront condo at the Shore building on Main St. and they couldn’t be happier about their home away from home.

The Hartzells first visited the area for its exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities. They stayed because they found not only a great community, but also the perfect property for their lifestyle.

“The Shore concept made sense to us,” says David. “We have storage for our two kayaks, surfboards, boogie boards and wetsuits.”

Linda adds that they are constantly amazed by the ever-changing view from their floor-to-ceiling window.

“There’s always something happening here,” says Linda of Tofino harbour. “It changes all the time.”

You might be treated to a 45 minute display of eagles playing, like Linda was, or manage to take “about 200” completely different pictures of the same mountain, as the Hartzells have.

Dave also calls their view “the best desktop view I’ve ever seen.”

Both Linda and Dave often bring work with them to Tofino, enabling them to stay away for longer periods of time.

“People want to be able to work from anywhere,” says Linda. “I get up early and work from 7am-12pm. I’ve already gotten five hours in and then I’ll take the afternoon off and go kayaking.”

“Nature pulls you away from your work; I get my work done so I can play.”

Dave and Linda were only the second buyers of a condo at the Shore. They’ve been a part of the project from the get-go, even visiting the building during construction.

Seeing the building coming together allowed them ample time to choose the right pieces to furnish their second home. In their one-bedroom condo, one piece is a Murphy hide-away bed for visitors.

In terms of distance to get to Tofino, the Hartzells have a distinct advantage – because Dave is a pilot, they can be door to door from Portland in less than three hours.

But even if traveling here took longer, Linda says their retreat in this area would be well worth it.

“Tofino has it all – mountains and beaches,” she says.

“For people who like the outdoors, it’s the best of everything,” adds Dave.

Rock-bottom U.S. real estate fails to draw some recreational buyers out of B.C.

Despite a real estate market at rock bottom prices, the U.S. doesn’t always draw Canadians looking to invest in a second or vacation home, and a big reason is the better chance of appreciation in B.C. In Tofino, for instance, prices dropped only by a few percentage points since 2008, and are now, characteristically, climbing again.

View the article: Western Investor

Calgarians show wave of interest in The Shore

Despite having a healthy helping of the world-renowned Rocky Mountains, Calgarians need a little H2o in the diets. It’s becoming obvious they have a craving for for salt water, in particular, through strong interest from Albertans in The Shore, a luxury waterfront development on the west edge of Vancouver Island.

View the article: The Calgary Sun

By Jen Dart

Every three years in British Columbia there is a municipal election, and this year it falls on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Voters in Tofino elect six Councillors and one mayor. This is a rather large slate of candidates for a town with a full-time population of only 1,800. The original reason for this larger council was the amalgamation of the Chesterman Beach neighbourhood into the District of Tofino many years ago. Additional seats were added to council to represent the views of these “new” citizens. This larger number was never corrected, although voters did have the option to reduce the number of Councillors in a recent referendum and turned it down.

Both residents and non-resident property owners can vote in the municipal election. Non-resident property owners have to register as voters and meet several criteria including having resided in British Columbia for six months just prior to the election, and having owned a Tofino property for a minimum of six months. As a Shore condo owner, you can qualify to make your voice heard in Tofino’s election. The district recommends you visit their office prior to election day to fill out an Application to Register. You will be required to provide two pieces of identification and proof of property ownership. Visit this district webpage for more information.

There is an advance poll on Wed., Nov. 9, and voting on both election days take place in council chambers at the Municipal Hall at the corner of Campbell and Third St.

The local Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, along with the Tofino Business Association, is hosting two All Candidates meetings – on Oct. 26 from 7-9pm and Nov. 16 from 7-9pm. Both meetings take place at the Tofino Community Hall on Arnet Rd.

There are two sources for news in Tofino covering the election. The Westerly News is the local print newspaper that’s also available online. In election years past, the Westerly has posed a list of questions to candidates and their answers are published in the paper. The paper also provides coverage of All Candidates meetings.

Local resident Ralph Tielelman’s blog Tofino News is also providing coverage of the election. Ralph’s blog is more informal and readers have the opportunity to comment on his posts.

Friday, Oct. 14 at 4pm was the deadline for candidates to submit their nomination papers to run for council or mayor. For an up-to-date list of candidates, please see the District of Tofino website. At last check, there were 12 candidates for six Councillor positions and two for the mayoral post.

Council will be facing many issues during its next term, not the least of which is how to fund a secondary sewage treatment plant as the district has been mandated to do by the provincial government. Municipal politics are the closest level of access for most people, as the issues seem to most directly affect residents and property owners.

Image: Jennifer Stoddart

Tofino, BC – (October 25, 2011) – Located in the centre of Tofino’s downtown core, The Shore, a luxury waterfront real estate development, is pleased to introduce The Shore Marina & Pier to Canada’s surfing capital. Launching spring 2012, the Shore’s new marina and pier will feature a new dockside restaurant and a multi-purpose recreational facility open to the public, which will serve as both a fitness centre and a communal gathering space.

View full press release: Tofino Real Estate Development To Launch Public Marina

It’s becoming obvious that Albertans have a craving for salt water, in particular, through strong interest in The Shore, a luxury waterfront development on the west edge of Vancouver Island.

View the article: The Edmonton Sun

When The Shore’s new marina opens in May 2012 on Tofino’s downtown waterfront, it will showcase how construction has the ability to reshape social dynamics.

View the article: The Journal of Commerce