Editor's Note: Manda Aufochs-Gillespie is a programmer at CKTZ Radio. 

After consulting with community and establishing a presence, the Village Commons land in downtown Mansons Landing is gearing up for its next phase.

The Cortes Island Community Foundation stewards the land and Executive Director Manda Aufochs-Gillespie says grants are in the works from the BC government to move forward on development plans.

Up until last winter, the Village Commons was in the hands of the Cortes Community Economic Development Association, she adds, and the organization received community input over the past couple of years to arrive at a vision for the space.

The next steps on the ground, to be accomplished over a two year period, include construction of a central gazebo for events, concerts and gatherings, as well as a boardwalk and additional spaces for vendors to complement the weekly market held in Mansons Landing Community Hall, Aufochs-Gillespie says.

The foundation is currently seeking a project manager to oversee the next phase. Aufochs-Gillespie adds that along with managing physical construction projects, the successful applicant will need to continue interacting with community groups and other stakeholders to ensure the development's success over the next couple of years.

Aufochs-Gillespie discusses next phases for developing the Village Commons in the interview below with CKTZ News: