 Community Assoc. Early Days
Beginning on February 3, 1923, in the Ocean Park cottage of Mrs. Woods, a small group of persistent, public-spirited people determined that Ocean Park needed a community organization. From its origins in 1923, the Society met at the homes of various members and there were refreshments offered after the meeting had been adjourned. One meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. and the party went on until midnight! These meetings must have served the dual purpose of achieving results for the community, and providing opportunities for socializing with friends and neighbours. By November 5, 1925, the Declaration for the ‘Ocean Park Society’ was signed by:
- Robert Hughes, minister, President
- Thomas Broatch, farmer, 1st Vice-President (see History page)
 Link here.
- Dougal McArthur, carpenter, 2nd Vice-President (see History page)Link here.
- George Giblin, railroad worker, Secretary
- Ambrose Cope, carpenter, Treasurer
- E. L. Hughes, married woman, witness.
...and it read:
- to create a community spirit by fostering an intelligent interest
in all community affairs.
- to co-operate with similar organizations in matters pertaining
to the general welfare'
- the raising of funds for building a Community Hall.
establishing a community centre, and promote a social.
educational and recreational interest in the neighborhood.
The operations of the Society are to be carried on in the district surrounding Ocean Park, in the Lower Delta, Province of British Columbia. Dated at Ocean Park, in the Province of British Columbia, this 5th
day of November, 1925.”
The first meeting of the Ocean Park Community Association in the Hall was held on March 10, 1926.
In January, 1927, there was a discussion about “whether it would be better to hold the ratepayers’ meeting on the same evening as the Community Hall meeting, thus avoiding so many meetings involving the same people.” “Mr. Henry moved the Resolution that the two societies meet on the same evening each retaining its own identity, with their own officers, procedure [sic] of business taken alternately by each society. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Broatch and carried.” In
March of that year, the OPCA portion of the meeting started at 10:00 p.m.
Even in those days, not all OPCA meetings were held in the Hall. The group still met at residents’ homes on occasion. What was important was the fact that public-spirited individuals of Ocean Park continued to act on behalf of all its residents.
Source: OPCA Minutes – Research by Anne Helps
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