What makes a community? Is it homes for people to live in? Relationships with other community members? Relationships with other community members? Coming together to enjoy shared activities and experiences? Helping one another?
by Janet Lees
I would argue that the best communities boast all of these aspects, and by that measure Southern Georgian Bay is growing ever stronger as a community.
In this issue of On The Bay, we present our annual roundup of real estate and development throughout our region. There’s no question that more and more people want to live in this four-season paradise, and as a result resale homes are scarce and new home developments are moving in to fill the gap. But in many cases, the homes being built – and even the few resale homes that come on the market – are out of reach for service workers, young professionals and working families. Add to that the increased need for infrastructure such as roads (with bike lanes), public transit, schools and hospitals, and it’s clear that we have work to do to ensure that our community can sustain the demands of an ever-growing population.
One reason our region is so desirable is the wealth of shared activities and experiences that bring us together. In addition to outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking and boating, cultural activities also have the power to form connections and strengthen communities. From this perspective, Southern Georgian Bay is thriving, with arts and cultural offerings including galleries, museums, festivals, live theatre and live music. In this issue we focus on live jazz and blues music, the latest instalment in our ongoing series spotlighting our region’s rich arts and culture scene. One look at the photos of joyful musicians playing their instruments as onlookers listen with rapt enjoyment or dance to the beat, and it’s abundantly clear that music is a dynamic community builder.
Watching our community grow is a bit like watching a child grow. It’s exciting, exhilarating, full of promise. As the child hurtles toward adulthood, it’s also daunting: one wrong decision, detour or missed opportunity has the potential to derail a promising future. But if the child is safe and secure, with a solid foundation as well as enriching activities and experiences, the path will ultimately lead to a fulfilling life.
Just as parents are responsible for raising fully functioning adults, we all have the obligation to create a fully functioning community where everyone can survive, thrive and lead fulfilling lives for years to come. After 15 years of writing and editing stories about our journey, I know we’re up to the task. ❧
