PARKSVILLE QUALICUM BEACH, BC--(Marketwired - Aug 14, 2013) -
Editors Note: There is one photo and one video associated with this press release.
It's official - the communities of Parksville Qualicum Beach want a relaxation designation to themselves! After lifting the holiday from their U.S. neighbours last year, the communities have taken the additional step of officially recognizing August 15, 2013 as National Relaxation Day in their Vancouver Island communities.
"When you really want to unwind in Canada, where do you think about: naturally the west coast, Vancouver Island, and Parksville Qualicum Beach," said Qualicum Beach Mayor Teunis Westbroek. "We're a pretty laid back place and it almost seems to be out of character to get so serious - but if there's anything we're serious about it's relaxing."
Earlier this month both councils officially recognized National Relaxation Day.
"There's no question where Canada's relaxation destination rightfully belongs," said Parksville Mayor Chris Burger. "Mellowing out and kicking back is part of our DNA here, and is even imprinted on our business community. We are in the business of relaxation: it's what we've always done and what we do every day."
Burger said being the *Top Island in the Continental U.S. and Canada, with kilometres of the country's best beaches, home of the top Vancouver Island spa, world class Parksville Qualicum Beach accommodation, 18 provincial and regional parks, six golf courses, casual farmer's markets, and festivals, Parksville Qualicum Beach is all about "a chilled out lifestyle," so it's only fitting that they become "the Canadian epicentre" of that lifestyle.
Westbroek and Burger said it's part of their responsibility as public officials to get people to kick back and relax as modern life doesn't leave much time for folks to simply rest or spend time doing what matters most: connecting with their loved ones, families and friends.
"We need the time and freedom to just do nothing, to kick back and reconnect with one another, and to have a vacation that's actually a vacation," said Burger.
"Whether it's hiking, biking and exploring, playing a game of mini-golf paddling through coves and bays with a kayak, you've got to take time unwind or it's going to catch up with you," Westbroek added.
As far as competition for the National Relaxation Day crown, both mayors agreed their phones haven't been jumping with competitors for bragging rights.
"Besides, we're a little ahead of the game," said Burger. "We've been kicking back and making memories for years here, and we're making new memories for people every day."