For more than a century, boats and bystanders have looked to Vancouver Island’s Amphitrite Lighthouse to help them navigate Barkley Sound and the Wild Pacific Trail. In May 2019, it was the lighthouse that received support thanks to a new coat of paint provided by more than a dozen volunteers and helpers with Ucluelet Co-op, District of Ucluelet and local company On the Edge Roofing.

The project was initiated when the Ucluelet District Office learned that it could apply for paint through Co-op Communities in Full Colour, a Co-op program that donates CO-OP^® Imagine paint to refresh public spaces across Western Canada.

“We were thrilled to hear about the program and even happier when we found out that Co-op came through with the paint to make this project happen,” said Abby Fortune, Manager of Parks and Recreation for Ucluelet’s Parks and Recreation Department. “Amphitrite Lighthouse is really a focal point on the Wild Pacific Trail. Our local beacon is now even brighter and more memorable for visitors and our residents.”

The 104-year-old lighthouse badly needed paint after decades of mould, rust and damage from waves had built up. The two-day project involved gently cleaning the exterior and then applying multiple coats of primer and CO-OP^® Imagine Paint. Extra efforts were taken to protect the surrounding ecologically sensitive site from any potential damage.

“To see such an icon in our community transformed so quickly by all of these volunteers was really something,” said Laurie Gehrke, General Manager of Ucluelet Co-op. “I’m so glad that our Co-op and our team could help bring some more shine back to the lighthouse.”

If you know of a local project in your community that could benefit from the Communities in Full Colour program, please visit our website and apply now.