Future Plan Advisory Committee SWOT Analysis Report July 16, 2013 Cultus Lake Official Community & Park Plan
Future Plan Advisory Committee
SWOT Analysis Report
July 16, 2013
Cultus Lake O
fficia
l Community &
Park P
lan
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1.0 SWOT Analysis On July 2, 2013, the Cultus Lake Park Board Future Plan Advisory Planning Committee conducted a SWOT
Analysis to:
better understand the Cultus Lake Park (strengths and weaknesses) and the opportunities and threats
that face the community;
share the knowledge of the Future Plan Advisory Committee (FPAC); and,
to support the park and community planning process.
A SWOT analysis is a basic strategic planning tool that examines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats of a community or an organization.
The strengths and weaknesses component considers internal qualities or dynamics of the community. Simply
put, strengths are the assets that Cultus Lake Park has; the things it does well. Weaknesses are things it does
poorly or lacks; its deficits. The Cultus Lake Park Official Community & Park Plan will build on strengths and
seek to improve weaknesses, so a clear understanding of the present state of the community is important.
External forces or dynamics that act on the community are considered in the opportunities and threats
component of the analysis. Opportunities are found in the trends or forces at work in the larger environment
(e.g. the economy, demographics) that the community can capitalize on. Forces in the larger environment that
could harm Cultus Lake Park are threats. The success of the forthcoming Cultus Lake Park Community & Park
Plan will depend in good part on how well it exploits opportunities and mitigates threats.
The two components of the analysis – the internal strengths/weaknesses and the external
opportunities/threats – are not discrete. They work together. The strengths and weaknesses of the
community help to identify the opportunities and threats and ultimately shape the strategies used to capitalize
on an opportunity or avoid a threat.
The graphic below summarizes the SWOT framework.
The SWOT Analysis was essentially a
structured or facilitated dialogue with
FPAC members during the July 2, 2013
over about an hour and a quarter.
During the dialogue, points raised by
committee members were written on
poster sheets. Fraser Valley Regional
District (FVRD) staff facilitated the
discussion, recorded comments and
prepared this report to document it.
Images of the note sheets are
attached as Appendix 1.
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2.0 SWOT Results INTERNAL
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Natural beauty & environment; quality of Cultus Lake; wildlife
Close knit community
Frequent informal social interactions
Diverse community but committed to the park
Neighbours talk to one another
Friends
Community school
Something for everyone
Big city services (access to Chilliwack)
Variety of recreational activities
Good air quality (different airshed than Fraser Valley)
Residents invest for quality of life / lifestyle
Community welcomes visitors
Strong history; many long‐term owners (generations)
Strong visual appeal
Sense of community; safety; know everyone
Walkable scale, year‐round
Waterfront walk
Variety of trails – forest, urban, beach, hills
Strong community groups
Residents actively involved in politics and civic life
History of volunteerism
Community organized events such as canoe races, sailing, triathlon, dragon boat festival, fishing derby, eco‐market, etc.
Cultus Lake Aquatic Stewardship Society
Trans‐Canada trail passes through community
Campground is a way to share the lake and generate revenue
High service levels in CLPB; long‐term staff are part of community, knowledgeable
Future Plan Advisory Committee with vision and passion
Inadequate pedestrian and bike ways
Governance, Board make‐up, Board procedures
Park Act; no benefits of municipal status
No money from Chilliwack
Access/egress into Cultus Lake Park; one way in/out
Traffic
Aging infrastructure
Forest management; fire risk
Too many staff; too expensive
Campground business is down; dependent on weather; long‐term bookings required to reduce risk of vacancies, but reduces accessibility
Campground may not be best use of land; spaces too small and not natural enough
Parking – not enough space; cost; limitations on where
Not enough beach; crowded
30% failure rate of commercial businesses
No restaurant or commercial business after hours
Insufficient accommodations ‐ No hotel; only 2 B&Bs
No diversity of housing forms
Over use of rental units – i.e. two rental units in one house
Power boards cause noise and congestion on lake
Bylaws not followed
Political accountability; directors elected from outside community
Poorly written bylaws; no consistency; inadequate procedures
Goose crap in sand at beach
Structural challenges in raising money for infrastructure
“Coney Island” effect; amusement park aesthetics; empty much of year (seasonal); exclusive
CLPB not financially sustainable
Larger homes put pressure on services
Declining affordability of residential properties
EXTERNAL
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS Increasing population in Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver; increasing
visitors to Park
Greater stewardship; caring for Cultus Lake
Tourist season can be extended; increase revenues and visitors
Opportunity to provide affordable housing
Can increase parking rates for visitors to raise revenues
Promote relationship with adjacent areas such as Riverstone
Partnerships with First Nations and other communities around the lake, especially for services or to address common problems
Increase access to lake
Increasing travel costs, such as fuel prices, will encourage recreation closer to home (and demand for lake)
Can increase and improve marketing to improve perception of the lake; market to Chilliwack residents and involve the City of Chilliwack
Develop trail around the lake for year‐round use
Maximize natural amenities
Work with FVRD, BC Parks, etc. on services such as sewer
Develop new governance structure
Get tax money back
Address issue of power boats on the lake
Develop seniors housing, small home‐based business, motel/convention centre, more camp spaces
Market to the US residents (Washington State)
Develop facility for non‐power watersports; attract people off‐season
Population growing older; threat to school and fewer young families
Can be difficult to get a mortgage due to land tenure/lease; required higher down payment (25%) and reduced affordability
Province won’t deal with governance issue; inaction
Rainy climate; climate change uncertainty
Doing nothing; the status quo
Uncertainty associated with first nation land claims
Perception of Cultus Lake Park; lack of clarity of who we are, what we are; perceptions about lease ownership structure; confusion about ownership of land and roles of City of Chilliwack, Province, etc.; perception that Lake is “too far” from Chilliwack
Declining lake health; eutrophication
Increasing numbers of motorboats without controls or management; lack moorage; boats from outside the community
No traffic control beyond the lake; need emergency evacuation routes
Forest fire hazard
Windfall of trees
Economic change leading to higher lease rates
Lack of public input
Empty houses, especially in the off‐season, don’t support local business
No year‐round public transit
Traffic congestion on Columbia Valley Hwy and connecting routes
Population growth in Lower Mainland could overwhelm lake capacity
Undesirable growth, i.e. higher income seniors
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3.0 Key Themes
3.1 Strengths
The major strengths of Cultus Lake Park are evident. There is a strong and immediate connection to nature and
wildlife. The landscape is beautiful. The water and air are clean. The natural environment provides a variety of
recreational and outdoor opportunities in lake shore, forest, and hillside locations. Recreation is highly diverse.
The community itself is also a key strength. Residents feel a strong sense of community and safety. There are
many opportunities for informal social interactions and people get to know one another. There is a longstanding
tradition of civic engagement. Residents are involved in politics and community institutions. They volunteer to
make events such as the Cultus Lake Pike Minnow Derby happen. They publish newsletters and support
community groups.
3.2 Weaknesses
Governance and governance structure emerged as the primary weakness of Cultus Lake Park. Other key issues
can be connected to governance. For example, Park infrastructure, particularly sewer and water, are at capacity
and require investment but funding mechanisms are unclear.
The seasonality of the community is a key weakness. During the summer, there are concerns with
overcrowding, insufficient parking, lack of beach space, and traffic congestion. On the other hand, local
businesses struggle, or close, in the off‐season leaving residents with few services, underutilized lands and
unattractive spaces.
3.3 Opportunities
Cultus Lake Park is located in relatively close proximity to the large market of the Lower Mainland where desire
for recreation is increasing. With the aging demographics of the region and rising travel costs, the demand for
quality, fully‐serviced recreation opportunities close to home is expected to grow. Cultus Lake Park is well‐
positioned to profit from these opportunities. For example, accommodation such as hotel/convention centre
could be developed. Local amenities, such as trails and lake access, events and marketing could be improved to
further attract a larger share of the year‐round recreation demand. There may be opportunity to address
servicing and infrastructure needs through partnerships with surrounding communities and agencies.
3.4 Threats
Inaction to address governance is seen as a key threat to Cultus Lake Park. Uncertainty associated with
governance and land tenure has broad affects. For example, the leasehold land ownership structure creates
challenges for obtaining mortgages and increases the down‐payment required for property purchases (because
CMHC mortgage loan insurance which facilitates lower down‐payments is not available). As a result of this and
other forces, the affordability of the community may decline, there may be fewer young families to support the
community school, and the resident population may become less diverse.
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Another key threat is that inadequately managed demand could overwhelm the capacities of the environment
and the community. Traffic, boat congestion on the lake, and degradation of the lake environment are all
threats that could significantly harm Cultus Lake Park.
3.5 Summary
The table below provides a brief summary of some of the key themes.
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Natural Environment
beauty, lake, wildlife, air quality, outdoor recreation
Not enough beach; waterfowl; Enhancement of natural values, views & aesthetics; expand lake access
Rainy climate, climate change, forest fire, wind fall trees, declining lake health; demands on lake exceeding capacity
Built Environment
Walkable scale, waterfront walk, community school, campground;
Inadequate pedestrian and bike ways; amusement park aesthetics; aging infrastructure; access/egress; little parking; few accommodations
Close to large market & population; trails;
Declining affordability; social homogeneity; land tenure; traffic congestion; inadequate transit
Community Strong sense of community, close‐knit, friends, volunteers, community groups involved & caring residents
Governance; noise and congestion on lake
Partnerships with adjacent communities; stewardship; governance solutions
Rising servicing costs; inaction on governance issues;
Economy Something for everyone Declining residential affordability; CLPB not financially sustainable; infrastructure funding
Hotel/convention; diversity of housing forms; year‐round activity; ‘stay‐cation’ trend
Seasonality; business viability
4.0 Comparison to a Previous SWOT Analysis
A previous SWOT analysis done by the Cultus Lake Park Board Future Plan Advisory Committee in about 2008
reinforces the key themes described above. The two exercises yielded very consistent result. The only
significant difference is that the 2008 SWOT put more emphasis on safety issues and support from the RCMP.
The SWOT Analysis performed in 2008 is attached as Appendix 2.
5.0 Next Steps
This SWOT Analysis is an input into a larger process that will result in a new Community and Park Plan for Cultus
Lake Park. The process and timelines for developing the Plan is set out in the Terms of Reference: Cultus Lake
Official Community Plan dated April 26, 2013 which was approved by the Cultus Lake Park Board on May 8,
2013. The Cultus Lake Park Community & Park Plan will build on the SWOT Analysis, community input,
stakeholder consultation and other sources to set out a vision for the future of Cultus Lake Park and strategies
for achieving it.
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Appendix 1: Posters & Notes from the July 2 2013 Future Plan Advisory Committee SWOT Analysis