The following groups, organizations and societies contribute to the heart of community on Texada for island visitors, residents and businesses:
Better at Home
Better At Home on Texada Island matches volunteers with seniors to provide non-medical support so seniors can continue living independently in their own homes. Currently we offer limited transportation, including grocery delivery, plus friendly visits by phone and light yard work.
Better at Home is administered by Inclusion Powell River and BC United Way, with funding from the Province of BC.
betterathome@inclusionpr.ca
604-485-4008
Emergency Support Services
Emergency Support Services’ function is to help people in times of disaster, and to promote emergency preparedness.
Contact:
Powell River Red Cross 604-485-3211
Express Lines
Our monthly newsletter of island happenings is published by Texada Island Community Society, and distributed free to island residents.
PO Box 267, Gillies Bay BC V0N 1W0
ticsv0n3k0@gmail.com
604-414-5619
qathet Community Justice
(qCJ), with foundational roots in Texada Island Restorative Justice, aims to restore relationships where conflict or crime has caused harm and address the underlying issues that perpetuate injustice. We provide criminal and non-criminal Restorative Justice services, develop diversity-affirming initiatives and provide justice and diversity training to the whole region of qathet. We hold community dialogue circles to provide a safe and respectful space to discuss difficult issues. We gratefully work within the traditional territory of the Tla’amin, shíshálh, Klahoose, Homalco, and K’ómoks First Nations.
Contact:
siobhan.brown@qathetcj.org
604-414-4203
Recycling Depots
Texada Island Transfer Station
6529 Shelter Point Road
(turn left onto Shelter Point Road off of Gillies Bay Rd at Shelter Point Park and follow the road towards Central Road for approx 2 km – station is on the left hand side of the road)
- Scrap metals (all vehicles and machinery must be free of fluids)
- Fridges and freezers (a $25 fee will be charged for the drop off of fridges and freezers)
Caretaker:
Wade Chishom 604-413-2176
Gillies Bay Recycling Depot
4913 Gillies Bay Rd
Behind Texada Community Hall
Weds, Fri, Sat 9-5
Van Anda Recycling Depot
Located on Gillies Bay Rd across from the gas station
Tues, Thurs 9-5
Link to the Regional District page on recycling
For information about where to take specific items, visit this page: bcrecycles.ca
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 232
2099 Legion Rd, Van Anda
The Texada Branch of the Legion received its charter from Legion Dominion Command in 1949. It has operated continuously since then, starting out in a converted brush pickers’ shed by Van Anda Creek and moving to its present location at 2099 Legion Rd in 1961, into a new building built primarily by volunteer labour. Membership in the Legion is open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants over 19 years of age.
Tuesday 3:30 – 6:30/7:00 pm: Food Service
Wednesday (4th of the month): Potluck- Doors open at 5, Dinner at 6 pm
Friday 5:30 pm: Bingo
Saturday 3:30 pm: Meat Draw
Saturday 3:30 – 6:30/7:00 pm: Food Service
Sunday 3:30 pm: Meat Draw
Sunday 3:30 – 6:30/7:00 pm: Food Service
604-486-7750
Texada Legion Facebook Page
Sandpiper’s Play Centre
5079 Gillies Bay Road
Old Schoolhouse, Gillies Bay
Sandpipers generally operates a drop in on Tuesday morning.
Email sandpiperstexada@gmail.com for current time. Sandpipers Play Centre is also used by other community and family services, and people are encouraged to check our Facebook group for the current calendar of events, visits and activities.
Sandpipers Facebook Page
Texada Action Now (TAN)
(TAN) Community Association strives to maintain and strengthen the integrity of the environmental, social and economic fabric of the Texada Island community. All residents and ratepayers 19 and older are members of TAN with full voting rights. All participation is welcome and encouraged.
Contact:
Chuck Childress
tanchair2014@gmail.com
Texada Agricultural Group (TAG)
TAG is a non-profit society founded in 2012, uniting Texadans in sharing knowledge and resources regarding agriculture, food security and related activities. TAG focuses on promoting our local food system, including local food production, processing, distribution, consumption and resource recovery.
TAG’s major initiative to date is the Texada Food Hub, a commercial-grade food preservation kitchen located at Texada School. It currently offers a commercial blast freezer, commercial food dehydrator (see photo), two large fermentation crocks, food processor, package labeler and pressure canning equipment.
The Hub is intended to help Texadans learn and practice food preservation techniques to strengthen their own food security, plus it provides a certified kitchen for local food entrepreneurs. It’s also available for use by School District 47, including Texada School students and faculty.
For more information:
Contact Tom Read:
604 483-1471
ravenbaywoods@gmail.com
Texada Airport Advisory Committee
A volunteer organization of texada Island members who provide advice to the Regional District Board on matters that pertain to the airport.
Contact the Chair
Texada Arts, Tourism & Culture (TACT)
Formed in 2004.
The mission of Texada Arts, Culture & Tourism Society (TACT) is to support, encourage, and nurture the arts, culture and tourism on Texada Island in harmony with the existing economic activities that are the mainstay of Texada Island in a manner that supports the entire island community and to develop and stimulate ways for people working in the arts, culture and tourism fields to be a strong part of Texada Island’s economic base.
TACT sponsors this website, as well as various island cultural and family activities.
Gerry Childress (President)
texada.org@gmail.com
Texada Boat Club
The Texada Boat Club lies safe and secure ringed by steep treed bluffs and a mammoth rock breakwater. The dream of a viable community Boat Club started in the 60’s by forward thinking Islanders has become a reality through the dedicated hard work of club members, the generosity of local landowners and the quarries and especially through community support throughout its history. Volunteer work parties are the backbone of the Club’s expansion, which now extends to over 500 feet of docks, including substantial transient moorage for the accommodation of visitor boats, all which generates income for the Club.
Website: texadaboatingclub.ca
The Wharfinger Jenny can be reached at 604-223-1122
Texada Pottery Studio
The Texada Pottery Studio is located in the basement of the Texada Elementary School in Van Anda. Alfred Muma and Kathleen Scott started cleaning and organizing the old metal and woodworking shop in April 2018. With donations from community organizations, qathet Regional District, and community fund raisers, the Texada Pottery Studio opened its doors November of 2019, joining TACT shortly afterwards. There is an annual fee to join, and clay and tools can be bought on site. There are additional costs at the last glaze firing stage.
Contact: texadapottery@gmail.com to learn more.
Texada Elementary School
PO Box 40, Van Anda BC V0N 3K0
604-486-7616
Texada Emergency Coordinator (for qathet Regional District)
Ken Becotte
604-997-2250
kenbecotte@gmail.com (preferred) or becotte@icloud.com
Texada Garden Club
An enthusiastic group of garden lovers from a huge array of backgrounds, skills and interests. Our informal monthly gatherings are informative and fun, often with guest speakers. Check the Express Lines for details.
Texada Health Services Society
THSS provides community advice and support to the Director of the Texada Island Community Health Centre with respect to the ongoing health care of the approximately 1000 residents of this island.
The Texada Health Services Society’s mandate is to facilitate the provision of a range of health care services that will address the changing health care needs of the people of Texada Island.
For more information contact President Barb Egglestone 604-223-7494 barb.egglestone@gmail.com
Texada Island Community Society (TICS)
A registered Society since 1930; the general mandate is to encourage the enhancement of youth and community, support the advancement of education and to assist the needy.
TICS has an annual Swap Meet in May. It also sponsors the Spirit Breakfast (a Foodbank fundraiser), and a community Christmas dinner. The Foodbank falls under TICS’ umbrella as well. The main revenue generating activity is what is fondly referred to as our ‘Publishing Empire’, which includes the monthly Express Lines, the annual Texada Lines and the bi-annual Telephone Directory.
Many island groups and organizations benefit directly or indirectly from TICS.
Call Warren Kiland (President) at 604-414-5619
Texada Island Community Thrift Store
Non-Profit Thift Store.
4971 Paton Road, Gillies Bay
Open Sunday, Monday and Thursday from 11:00 to 1:00
Texada Island Heritage Society
Texada Island Museum, Archives and Historical Society – preserving the past of Texada Island.
texadaheritagesociety.com
Texada Island Needlework Guild (TING)
TING meets at the Royal Canadian Legion in Van Anda. Together we share our skills and learn new techniques in a friendly environment where we can indulge guilt free in the stitching we love to do. Beginners are welcome. The Quilters’ Group also meets regularly at the Legion.
Contact Barb McCormack at 604-486-7115.
Texada Island Nonprofit Seniors Housing Society (TINSHS)
TINSHS is a registered charity directed by a volunteer Board of Island residents, passionate about creating affordable age-friendly housing for Texada seniors, who make up the majority of our island’s population. TINSHS continues to advance research and development for our seniors housing project, gathering community input and undertaking key pre-development planning. To sum up, we are working on all fronts to bring seniors housing to Texada Island, and welcome new members from our community to help us build our dream!
Cathy Brown (President): 604-486-6766
PO Box 32, Van Anda, BC V0N 3K0
info@texadaseniorshousing.ca
www.texadaseniorshousing.ca
Texada Island Recreation Commission (TIRC)
A volunteer board made up of Texada residents that work with the qathet Regional District to manage recreational facilities on Texada. The Commission also considers Grant in Aid requests from local recreation groups. Thanks to volunteer efforts and the Island’s industrial past it has a relatively large number of recreational facilities to manage. These include the Texada Island Community Hall, the Gillies Bay Tennis Courts, the Van Anda Dog Park, the Gillies Bay Ball Field and Farmers Market area, Erikson Beach, the Van Anda Cove Property and the Old School in Gillies Bay. Recent acquisitions are Erikson Beach, the Van Anda Cove Property and the Old School.
For more information email Chairman Joseph Scott texanomic@gmail.com
Texada Island United Church
Our mission statement: to foster spiritual development of all members of our community as revealed in the Bible.
Everyone is welcome at our community church. We are a caring congregation of Christians from several denominations who gather to share the word of God for us today. Our church is a small but our hearts are large and our songs of praise ring out.
Normally, you can find us gathering for worship and fellowship at the church on Para and Main Street in Van Anda on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.Each Sunday our minister posts a “Focus in Spirit” on our website with links on the Texada Message Board and our Texada Island United Church Facebook page.
Contact Rev. Gayle Chouinard:
604-414-7309
trollhollow123@gmail.com
www.texadaunited.ca
Texada Island Volunteer Fire Departments
Both Van Anda and Gillies Bay and the surrounding area are protected by two volunteer fire departments that routinely work together to fight fires on the island. Both departments are members of the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Association of British Columbia. Members of the two departments hold weekly meetings and training sessions, where proper equipment usage and maintenance is covered.
The fire departments are responsible for issuing burning permits and also informing the public of fire bans during the fire season.
For information about joining please call either chief at the numbers listed.
For a Fire Emergency Call 911
Van Anda:
Mark Robert (Fire Chief) 604-414-9662
Gillies Bay:
Dave Beech (Acting Fire Chief) 604-414-5121
info@gilliesbayvfd.ca
Texada Library
Located in the Old School building in Gillies Bay. The library maintains a collection, donated and purchased, of fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, reference materials, DVDs and other AV materials. Any resident or visitor to Texada Island may borrow circulating library materials. The library has two computers and a printer for public use. There is internet connection and WIFI in the parking lot. Texada residents who borrow books or other materials from the Texada Library or directly from the Powell River Library may return those items to the drop box at the Post Office in Van Anda or to the library in Gillies Bay.
For more information call the library at 604-486-6728 during opening hours.
| Monday | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Friday | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
| Saturday | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
| Sunday | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
Texada Museum and Archives
Van Anda Elementary School Building, Van Anda
604-486-7109
info@texadaheritagesociety.com
www.texadaheritagesociety.com
Texada NatureKids BC
NatureKids BC is a nature discovery and environmental action non profit organization, that helps children form meaningful and enduring connections with nature, alongside their families across British Columbia. The Texada NatureKids BC club organizes once a month Explorer Days, 1 to 2 hour activities in nature for families to enjoy. Families with children ages 5-12 can sign up as members for FREE at www.naturekidsbc.ca. We also welcome adults with a passion for nature to volunteer with us that are interested in helping organize outdoor activities in nature. For more information reach out to Katelyn at coordinator@naturekidsbc.ca.
Texada Policing and Public Safety Committee
A thirty year history of advising and supporting the RCMP on the island. Our objective is maintaining a partnership with and liaison between the RCMP and Texada citizens. We support first responder co-ordination, road safety, responsible hunting, victim services, youth activities, and restorative justice programs.
Contact Roger Kimmerly:
604-486-0009
roger_kimmerly@shaw.ca
P.O. Box 48 Van Anda B.C. V0N 3K0
Texada Seniors Council
The organization was formed in 1932 to fight for seniors’ rights (previously affiliated with OAPO branch #153) and now fulfills a social function providing the community a meeting room for non-profit community groups and a Friday lunch open to all looking for food and friendship. Times for lunch to be announced since the pandemic. Membership in this organization is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.
Call (or text) Dale Rinehart (President)
604-486-0050.
drtexada@gmail.com
Texada Women’s Island Network
A non-partisan, non-religious, non-affiliated group and does not have any single focus interest. The group has a monthly luncheon meeting and is dedicated to bringing women together from all walks of life so that they may share and support each others goals and interests, exchange ideas and enjoy each other’s company.
For more information call Linn Rairie at 604-223-0113.
