Cedar Heights: A Half-Century of Community Building
By Barbra Fairclough
Cedar Heights Centre, a place where neighbours become friends, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, with an open house on May 11, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. With their recreational and social programs, their mission is simple, “to promote an active lifestyle and engage in civic and social issues that benefit our community.”
The Cedar Centre has evolved to be a social hub. Current Cedar Centre President Bryan Lowes reflects, “After 50 years, Cedar Heights Community Association remains one of the most prominent social centres within the local community. It has an extensive history of volunteer participation, with all of its programs and events planned, organized, conducted and finished by teams of members who care about maintaining the quality of life that attracted them here. It is in the process of evolving further to address the emerging needs of an evolving demographic.”
The beginnings of the Cedar Heights Centre go back to when brother and sister Gordon and Ruth Chandler, fell in love with the “Shimmering Shuswap” and settled in the area with their families in 1958. Later, Gordon would remember his good friend Ernie Klatt had asked him to “Let me know if you found an El Dorado.” At Gordon’s invitation, Ernie and his wife Audrey stopped by while on their family vacation.
Gordon and Ernie would meet “3 miles west of a weeping willow tree on the Balmoral Corner.” After discussion about the prospects of business and reflection on the beauty of the place, Ernie declared his interest in making this a place for people to share. The seeds of the Cedar Heights Development Corporation were sewn and the company was founded August 28, 1968 by Gordon Chandler, Ruth Chandler and Ernie Klatt. The Klatt family would move to the area in 1969 to begin their lives in Cedar Heights.
The Company was founded on the original 112 acres of wooded hillside along the “gentle Shuswap Shores, between Sorrento and Blind Bay, British Columbia.” The land purchased for the Cedar Heights Development Corporation was owned by the Barnard family. By 1974, the acreage would double, when the Reedman and Jones family properties were purchased.
Bocce Ball is one of the outdoor sports facilities a Cedar Heights Centre. There is also pickle-ball courts and a par 3 golf course. (Photo Contributed)
The development opened in 1970 with 83% of home sites in phase one taken by locals from Salmon Arm, Vernon, Blind Bay and Kamloops. The following year sales doubled, and 33 percent of sales were to locals. In 1972 home site sales doubled again. Underground power and telephone lines and paved roads were added in 1973.
Growing numbers of newcomers to the area socialized by hosting dinner parties and interest in social matters grew. An informal social club was formed called the “The Lamplighters”.
In 1974, at a meeting of the directors of the Company, the needs of the growing community were discussed, and resulted in a momentous decision: The Directors waived the long term plan for a commercial leisure land venture and instead, made a gift to the community of 8.97 acres of choice parkland, together with funds toward the building of a recreation centre.
It is rare that a development company makes such moves, particularly after the sale of the properties has been nearly completed.
Cedar Heights expansion June 2013 (Photo Contributed)
In 1974, the Cedar Heights Community Association was formed, and their first AGM was held on February 17, 1975. The executive was President Charles Couves, First Vice President Reg Smart, Secretary Salome Workman and Treasure Agnes Halsey. Charter memberships were issued this day for 77 members. Memberships were $2.
“On behalf of all directors of our company I take pleasure in announcing that Cedar Centre, the country clubhouse is taking shape, and the title will be conveyed by Cedar Heights Co. Ltd. to your Community Association on your behalf. Cedar Centre is being built in nine acres of Parkland. There are games rooms and lockers and the rainbow lounge with fireplace and kitchen facilities, we hope, will be ready for use in early summer.” signed George Chandler.
George also confirmed, “Be assured that your investments here in Cedar Heights are being looked after. We are pleased with the progress and quality of the new homes built and being built. Today there are just over 75. On our part, phase 2D is almost ready with 74 lovely homes sites that are the best in Cedar Heights.”
Members and visitors enjoy playing on the Par 3 Golf Course (Photo Contributed)
Reg Smart, founding member of the Cedar Heights Community Association said, “It is my pleasant task to greet all members of our association, and to invite the participation of you who have, and those who hope to make Cedar Heights your home community. The objective of our Association is to promote and encourage educational, cultural, athletic and community endeavours.”
The gift of lands and building provided the foundation for a very successful and stable organization, able to offer extensive social and recreational activities to its members, other residents and visitors, said current President Lowes.
In its two level chalet of 6600 square feet with a beautiful view of Shuswap Lake, Cedar Heights offers recreational and cultural programs, outdoors with a par 3 golf course, pickleball and bocce ball and indoors with a variety of events, carpet bowling, snooker, keep fit and cards.
“Now a charitable organization, the Cedar Centre is celebrating its rich history on May 11,” said Bryan Lowes. “Bring the kids for face painting and bouncy castle fun. All the courts will be open for inspection and play. Learn about myriad programs and activities and see the outdoor sports facilities. Everyone is welcome!” Cedar Heights is located at 2316 Lakeview Drive, Sorrento, BC
