While cities are trying to hit provincial targets for building new homes, growth is also underway on the Tsawwassen First Nation, where the number of leasehold housing units has jumped from about 200 to more than 1,500, in the last dozen years.
Meanwhile, the non-member leasehold population has grown from 460 to almost 4,000, with that number projected to reach 6,650 within two years.
By 2030, the total population on TFN could be about 8,800, according to TFN’s 2021-2026 Housing Needs Report.
“TFN is approximately halfway built out for the marker housing area units as approved under the development plans,” said an Aug. 13 statement from the Nation.
It’s possible that more housing could be considered in the future if necessary.
But the Nation must first consider overall development needs and benefit to the community, says the statement.
Since 2009, the population of TFN members has grown from 403 to 518 in 2023, as new housing has been built for members as well.
While Tsawwassen First Nation speaks regularly with the provincial government, so far, there haven’t been any specific discussions with the Ministry of Housing.
The steady stream of new housing provided by TFN however, does not count as part of the 3,607 new housing units the provincial government has ordered Delta to build within five years.
The statement notes that the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement (treaty) that came into effect in 2009, precludes the province from setting any new goals without consultation with the TFN.
Providing services for all those people is done with a raft of agreements with Delta including police, fire, drainage and irrigation and animal control, while TFN provides its own sewer treatment with its own plant.
However, there is no agreement for providing recreational services and TFN residents pay the non-resident rate to use Delta facilities.
However, several recreational facilities are already in place on the TFN.
A three-hectare sports field was built in 2017 and was recently expanded to 4.6 ha, offering two baseball diamonds and soccer fields, a batting cage, lacrosse box, walking paths, playground and field house.
A 9,500-sq.-ft. youth centre was built in 2021, and 10 local parks have been built. A cultural hub at Tsawwassen Commons is expected to be complete later this year.
The nation also is working on a facilities plan.
“TFN and the City of Delta have always discussed recreation issues as part of our ongoing discussions about servicing, and we expect this will continue as the TFN community grows.,” said the statement.
It’s a common issue throughout the region, and “TFN remains committed to ensuring that there is a collaborative relationship with our neighbouring city.”
Delta Mayor George Harvie said all of Delta is growing and putting demands on recreation.
“We have pressure … in all our city with the new housing we’re doing too, no question about it,” he said.
Council has discussed the issue many times, he added.
He’s hoping a joint city and TFN council meeting this fall can find solutions.
In addition to recreation needs, TFN and Delta share in the need for better transit, and the second northbound exit out of Ladner into the new Fraser River tunnel, Harvie said.
“That’s a big one for both of us,” he said adding that it’s time to discuss creating a recreation agreement between Delta and TFN.
He said the city recognizes though that most growth will happen in North Delta and wants to work on identifying recreational priorities, there, with the timeline up to council, as soon as the new Winskill Aquatic and Fitness Centre is underway in the new year.
“Without the recreation infrastructure, you’re not a complete community,” Harvie said.
“And also, we’re not getting any assistance from the federal or provincial governments with regards to infrastructure.”
