Bowen Island Undercurrent March 9 2023

Bowen receives over $2.7 million in provincial grants

MONEY INCLUDES $500,000 FOR PHASE 4 OF THE MULTI-USE PATH

ALEX KURIAL Editor

Half-a-million dollars in provincial grant funding has been awarded to Bowen Island Municipality to complete the next phase of the Multi-Use Path

The B C Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program grant of $500,000 was announced last month as part of $20 million in funding allocated province wide Goals of the grant stream are to promote increased walking, cycling, and transit options in B C communities

“Active transportation is important to Bowen Islanders given their keen interest in recreation and ecology,” said mayor Andrew Leonard in a news release “This significant funding towards the Multi-Use Path is sincerely appreciated,” he added.

The Multi-Use Path project began in 2017, and currently stretches from the ferry terminal in Snug Cove west to Grafton Road at Artisan Lane Phase 4 will extend the MUP to the next road over, Charlie’s Lane

The provincial dollars are flowing into the municipality through other sources too – on Friday more than $2 million was awarded to the island through the Growing Communities Fund This stream helps local governments focus on infrastructure projects of their choosing CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

BOWEN BINGO GETS DIRTY: Participants fought through the snow to play some‘Dirty Bingo’ at the Legion to close out February. Conni Smudge was the host for the evening, guiding around 70 players to some funtimesandfabulousprizes DarrylDeegancouldn’thelpgrabbingapicoftheelectrichostbeforethenightended

Events

AllCouncilmeetingsareopen tothepublictoattendin personorelectronically, unlessnotedotherwise.

March 13, 2023

6:15 pm

RegularCouncilMeeting

March 21, 2023

2:30 pm

CommitteeoftheWholeReviewPropertyTaxRatio& CapitalProgramOverview

BIM wants your input on Accessibility

BowenIslandersareinvitedtocompleteathree-questionsurveyto provideinformationregardingthedemographicsofBowenIslandin relationtoaccessibility.

BIMisforminganAccessibilityAdvisoryCommitteetoCouncil,and willbeadoptinganAccessibilityPlanthisyearTheresultsofthe surveywillhelpinformthisprocess.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/news/ FormoreinformationcontactStefShorttby

• emailatsshortt@bimbcca

• call604-947-4255ext253

• text778-897-0559

Correction:

Council makes public

information about proposed park from Closed Council meetings

TwoexcerptsweremissingfromthereleaseofClosedinformation abouttheproposedregionalparkatCapeRogerCurtispublishedon December5,2022.

Thisisduetoaclericalerrorinourrecordkeeping.Intheinterestof fulltransparency,theexcerptshavebeenrevisedtoincludemissing informationfromApril27,2022andMay2,2022.Asaresultofthis clericalerror,theresolutionwasnotcontainedintheMinutesof Councilproceedings.

Weapologizeforthisoversightandwouldliketoassurethepublic thattransparencyremainsofparamountimportanceforinformed engagementwithourcommunityandfortrustinCouncilasstewards ofBowen’sinterests

Wearereviewingourpoliciesandprocedurestoensurethe circumstancesthatledtothisclericalerrorarenotrepeated

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/news/

BIM awarded $2.287 million grant from BC’s Growing Communities Fund

BIMhasbeenawardeda$2287milliongrantfromtheprovince’s GrowingCommunitiesFundtosupportinvestmentincommunity infrastructureandamenities.

Provincialgrantstotalling$1billionwereawardedtoall188BC municipalitiesandregionaldistricts,andwillbeusedtoaddresseach community’sinfrastructureneeds.

CouncilwillworkwithMunicipalstafftoassessinfrastructureneeds anddeterminehowtofullyleveragethisfundingforthemaximum benefitofthecommunity

Spring 2023 Recreation Programs are open

BowenIslandRecreation’sSpring2023programsarenowopenfor registrationSummerCampregistrationopensonTuesday,March14

Temporary trailer fix for Bowen public works yard approved

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT AT THE SITE TO ADDRESS CONTAMINATION

ALEX KURIAL

Editor

Following some indecision earlier this year on what to do about the situation at the public works yard, it looks like a temporary solution has been found.

The situation in question is the state of the site, for both human and environmental health and safety A report by engineering director Patrick Graham at the end of January outlined several hazardous conditions at the municipal location on Carter Road, including rat and mold infestations in the work building, and contaminated soil and groundwater around the yard.

Graham outlined a long-term plan to revamp the site, including a new works building, garage, and environmental and security improvements

Total cost was estimated around $4 million, with a completion date in fall 2024 Council approved freeing up $190,000 at that meeting to conduct environmental assessments and begin the design work on the new structures, but walked this back the next week after deciding a financial deci-

sion of that magnitude should be made during the annual budget process.

Instead, staff were asked to find a temporary fix for conditions at the yard. In addition to the hazardous issues, Graham says the building’s insufficient size and the site’s inadequate storage and operating facilities slow down workflow throughout the day.

As it stands the public works team is split between the roads and infrastructure workers at the yard, and the utilities crew in the room above the library for their operating bases

“It isn’t our preference to have a divided work force like this We already have issues with the divisions between an office and our outdoor workers,” explains Graham

The utilities team is planning to move to a temporary trailer at the Cove Bay Water Treatment Plant once that facility is operational. This type of unit is the solution Graham believes would – right now – work best for the staff at the public works yard as well. During council’s Feb 27 meeting he proposed an on-site trailer would address some of the “most egregious occupational health and safety issues” with the current building.

The plan hinges on avoiding the need for a building permit, since the environmental damage has led to a per-

Infrastructure needs to be looked at

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“Our community values self-resilience but is quickly outgrowing its current infrastructure This funding from the province will be gratefully applied to the mounting infrastructure deficit costs our small community is facing” said Leonard.

The $2,287,000 received by Bowen is part of a $1 billion provincial investment in the new Growing Communities Fund. Each municipality in B.C received a one-time payment based on population and growth

It’s now up to the municipality to decide which projects the money will be best used on.

mit freeze by the province until the situation at the yard is improved. “It’s not a permanent structure, it’s essentially supporting our efforts to rehabilitate the site – we have to move staff into this temporary accommodation while we remove all the materials and equipment from this other space, ” explains Graham

The director’s request this time was for $60,000 to install the trailer, and another $100,000 to conduct the environmental assessments “Regardless of the need for a building permit it’s also Bowen Island Municipality’s responsibility to address the contaminated site and carry on with that work,” said Graham

Mayor Andrew Leonard agreed. “Given the occupational health and safety issues at the site there needs to be a solution completed as expediently as possible I also think that the spending to remediate the site will have to happen regardless Given that there will be a design phase for a works yard, it does make sense to remove that obstacle now, ” he said.

Council approved both asks in a 6-1 vote, with Coun. Alison Morse in opposition. Permanent plans for the public works yard will return to the 2023 budget discussions later this year

New Accessibility Committee launching this year

BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY

In the Fall of 2022, Provincial legislation was announced that mandates public organizations to strike an Accessibility Committee, adopt an Accessibility Plan, and create opportunities for ongoing community feedback This decree stipulates that the Plan be adopted by Fall of 2023

The announcement was exciting for Bowen Island Municipality and the Bowen Island Public Library, as it empowers us to prioritize accessibility initiatives While work has been done in regards to Equity Diversity and Inclusion, including development of the BIM EDI Policy adopted by Council on May 25, 2022, the Accessible British Columbia Act provides a more fulsome opportunity to conduct focused efforts on removing barriers to equity seeking groups, particularly those with disabilities

Bowen Islanders are invited to complete a three-question survey to provide information regarding the demographics of Bowen Island in relation to accessibility Please submit survey (using the methods described below) by Monday, March 27, 2023 at 4 pm

In addition, we are looking for members to serve on an Accessibility Advisory Committee To apply:

Email: Complete an application form digitally and submit to Stef Shortt at sshortt@bimbc.ca

Post: Complete a paper application (delivered to mailbox) and mail to Municipal Hall (981 Artisan Lane)

In-Person: Pick up an application and submit it at the front counter of Municipal Hall

Phone: Call 604-947-4255 ext 253

Text: Text 778-897-0559

Application deadline is also Monday, March 27, 2023 at 4:00pm

More information can be found in this week’s Island Page, on Page 2.

The MUP continues its cross-island march / Alex Kurial photo

VIEWPOINTS

Letters Galore EDITORIAL

Our readers have been writing up quite a storm lately, it is great to see! Not only does it mean there’s a lot of you engaged in our community happenings, but a healthy Viewpoints section makes my Wednesday layout duties much easier A win-win! While the dominant topic lately is of course, the park proposal, we are also receiving some good content on some of Bowen’s other important issues, including the Community Centre and BC Ferries to name a few This week we finally managed to clear a multi-week letter backlog re: the above mentioned park, with room for five letters on the topic But since there’s a good chance we’ll be flooded again one day soon, a quick note on how letters are chosen when the community is hot on a topic One of the main factors is time, which can work both ways Sending letters in early can put you to the front of the line, but sometimes a time-sensitive note will arrive later, and the early bird may be bumped slightly Topic is important too, as we try and cover as much as possible each issue That wasn’t a problem this week as nearly all letters, save the important Snug Cove note, were on the same topic But, when we get a high volume of letters on one issue, only so many can run a week

Overall rest assured though, if you take the time to sit down and write, your thoughts will (eventually) hit the page!

- Alex Kurial, Editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Who are we prioritizing?

The concept of a new Metro Park on Bowen with a campground may sound like a great idea at first, but I think the reality will leave a lot to be desired, and once in place it will be impossible to remove.

For me, the idea of having 400 or so off-islanders coming from the ferry and making their way to the far side of the island all summer long seems a bit ridiculous considering the challenges we already experience with the flood of tourists How do we stop them from bringing their cars? If they do come on foot, how will they get to the Cape and how will they be resupplied when they run out of beer and weed?

Firstly, our ferry is already overloaded and thin on the required staff to keep Boweners happy Adding even more newbies to the terminal will make life miserable for us all Priority loading for Islanders is a subject we should be thinking

about now, even if camping is not allowed. That will require some rethinking by BC Ferries and I’m not confident in their ability to make that happen We can’t get them to change the tickets which tell all the newbies to line up for lane 69 How will they deal with priority loading?

Once the new visitors arrive, how will they journey to the Cape? On foot? Not likely By bicycle? Can you imagine hundreds of bicycles making their way to the Cape and back? I have cycled Bowen for many years and it is quite dangerous as the roads are too narrow and car drivers either don’t see us or don’t know how to pass us safely A dedicated, wide and paved bike lane would be the solution, but what would that cost? Many millions and I’m sure the residents of

Whitesails will be thrilled Shuttle bus? Give me a break! 400 campers represents a 10% increase in our population, so what about the other services that will be required? Policing, Ambulance, Fire, Search and Rescue These services are already thin and we are entertaining thoughts of increasing their load with 400 party animals?

There are many more issues than these, and I think that preserving the Cape as park land is a great idea rather than homes for the very wealthy The concept of a Campground has some huge challenges A park, yes Will that fulfill Metro Parks’ vision? Probably not, but then they don’t live here

- Doug Nash

THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Please limit to under 500 words HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Bowen Island Trunk Road , PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent com

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EDITOR Alex Kurial editor@bowenisland undercurrent com

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Come, my friends

Dear Editor,

While reading the February 2 issue of the Undercurrent, I could not help but smile when I saw Ron Woodall”s inclusion of a powerful quote by the great Ralph Waldo Emerson in his cartoon Where else but on Bowen Island would one see such a quote utilized by a cartoonist in a newspaper!

Having been a property owner on the island since 1975, I am also fully aware that it is not an isolated example Where else but on Bowen would we see a current mayor, such as Andrew Leonard, who finds inspiration in the equally profound thoughts of Herman Hesse and Carl Jung!

Or a former mayor and current environmental activist, such as Bob Turner, who finds kinship in the writings of Eckhart Tolle, the Vancouver author who is one of the foremost spiritual teachers on the planet! As Tolle indicates in his book “A New Earth” , the path to “building a better world” lies in a “transformation of human consciousness” , a transformation that is very much embodied not only in himself, but in in all of these wise authors.

Having had the opportunity to provide my contribution in the creation of our original Official Community Plan and

to work with others in the many campaigns throughout the years in support of our community plan, of the Islands Trust and its instrumental mandate in the creation of our OCP, and of the numerous political candidates who have steadfastly upheld our island way of life and the life blood of its participatory democracy, I can fully attest to the fact that this transformation of consciousness was already taking place and was being essentially reflected in all of those efforts within our community

The most vital result was the creation of a community plan in the 1970s with principles and policies of environmental sustainability that were decades ahead of other North American communities

And I have no doubt that Emerson himself would have applauded its integrity of purpose, as reflected in the last sentence of his quote in Woodall’s cartoon: “Do not allow yourself to be governed by customs or conventionalities or arbitrary man-made rules that are not founded on principle” . Emerson’s’s quote goes to the heart of our OCP, a document that was soundly forged on principle, above and beyond the customs and conventionalities of the day.

The name “Bowen” means “ son of Owen” , and the meaning of the name “Owen” is “noble” , “well born” and

Fighting against a park? Not exactly...

Dear Mayor & Council,

By this point a number of people have written to you with concerns about the park, most of which I share there are over 40 letters that I could have happily co-signed. I won’t reiterate all the points here because, as you know, they are many.

It’s a weird situation to be in: “fighting against a park” But what I want you to understand very clearly is that none of us are fighting against a park we are fighting to preserve the viability of our community as a place to live, raise children and, for those who need to, commute to the city for work We are fighting for both a natural ecosystem and a human one

This is an island, with only one way in and one way out, funnelled by the triple-bottleneck of Horseshoe Bay, the

Ferry, and our small Cove Everything that happens on this island affects us all, and we exist in extreme dependence on that little bottleneck If it doesn’t function, we don’t function

I have been reading, with interest, “Measuring and Managing Park Carrying Capacity,” the UBC Report prepared for Deanne Manzer of Metro Parks in August 2020. A number of people have quoted from it in reference to problems surrounding parks But what I took from it was quite different It is a guidance document; one that perhaps you have adopted in its recommendations for how to proceed in park development

And I noticed something very odd: it talks a lot about visitor experience and the three “ core capacities” of Environmental, Social (visitor experience) and Managerial, with a nod to “Cultural capacity” which specifically

Re: MetroVancouver Parks Proposal for Bowen Island and Rezoning Application

Dear Editor,

I sent this letter below to Council on March 3 and wish to send the same message to island residents Please continue to engage with Metro Vancouver Parks (MVP) as you wish, filling out surveys, attending open houses etc But it is not MVP that makes the final decision – it is the BIM Council who has to give approval to a park and camping at Cape Roger Curtis So please let your Council know your views, not just Metro Vancouver Parks

My message to Council:

As a former BIM councillor and one who was very much involved with the failed National Park initiative for our island – I am asking you all to go slow and to communicate to Metro Vancouver that our island needs time to hear all the information and to consider all the effects on our island before making a quick decision.

Personally, I am in favour of protecting a major part of Cape Roger Curtis, but not in favour of giving Metro

Vancouver Parks a green light without a lot more information. At this time, I think Metro Vancouver Parks needs to take a step back, a deep breath, and start to engage with the community in a meaningful way – which to me means being prepared to answer questions about ferry overloads, traffic on Bowen roads, traffic through Whitesails, passenger ferries, shuttle buses, environmental studies on the rare ecosystem at the Cape and how welcoming the lower mainland public to this area will affect this ecosystem

Please do not give first reading to a bylaw or OCP amendment It is too soon. Consultation first on what MVP plans, with answers to questions noted above, and then, when this is complete, consider a zoning application and OCP amendment

Thank you,

” young warrior” - a fitting description of who we are as a community Our noble community was truly well born, with the warrior spirit that is needed to always fight the good fight

Sadly, in the troubled, perilous and dysfunctional world in which we live, one of those dysfunctions has been to succumb to cynicism and to give up But, in my experience, that has never been the noble path of a true Bowen Islander Beyond all of our human failings and the stumbles they may cause, we are indeed a nobly born community that belongs to the future through its vision of building that better world in the new earth that Eckhart Tolle foresees.

“Come, my friends,

‘T is not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite

The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths

Of all the western stars, until I die”

(From the poem “Ulysses” , by Alfred Lord Tennyson)

- John Sbragia

references Indigenous peoples, but nowhere does it mention impact on the community of people who live in the area of a proposed park.

I urge you to take the many concerns you have heard very seriously and make them an integral part of your plan to save an ecosystem at the Cape, because while most of us are not Indigenous, we are part of that ecosystem. Under your current plan, our way of life, our livelihoods and possibly even our lives are at stake

Bowen Island’s ecosystem includes humans

Sincerely,

- Marian Bantjes

- Nerys Poole

VIEWPOINTS

Off to a good start

To the Editor, Islanders have promised almost $100,000 towards the creation of Snug Cove House Thank you! And that’s just in the first week of a six-week drive to raise the final funds needed to start construction of the supportive residence for Bowen seniors

Our seniors will no longer be forced to leave the island in search of supportive accommodation as they do now, an average of 11 every year, if every Bowen household promises $1,400 towards Snug Cove House

The residence already has 88% of its construction funding $1,400 from every household will take Snug Cove House across the

finish line and allow our elderly to stay with their friends and neighbours in the community they love and help build.

If you can’t spare $1,400 that’s okay. It’s important that as many of our 1,724 households as possible are seen to be willing to contribute something This will hopefully encourage others with more resources to step up to the plate

All that is needed at the moment is to say you will give You will be asked to write a cheque only if enough pledges are made to complete the construction budget There is a pledge form in the ad on the back of this Undercurrent

If you can’t get to the Pharmacy to drop off the form, just e-mail info@snugcove-

house.com with the sentence: “I pledge $ towards the construction of Snug Cove House”

And please don’t delay There’s only four weeks to go until the April 7 deadline (The deadline is a condition imposed by the agency providing the major financing.)

Some questions are being asked about the residence as more people are becoming aware of the project, so here are some brief answers:

Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes, Snug Cove House Society is a registered charity.

Why does Snug Cove House cost more to build than the new apartment complex in Snug Cove?

Snug Cove House is planned to Assisted Living requirements, so conforms to the Building Code’s Group B, a more stringent standard than Group C for normal homes and apartments The residence also has cost-intensive facilities such as the com-

mercial kitchen and laundry, and has to build a septic field because of sewage plant problems

How much will Snug Cove House cost to live in?

Monthly fees are expected to be $5,500, which sounds like a lot until you work out how much you pay to live at home The fees include meals, cleaning, laundry, activities, and staff

You can find more details at snugcovehouse.com including a frequently-asked-questions section, or you can speak to the society’s board members

With many thanks for your consideration,

- The board of directors of Snug Cove House Society Martine Sampath, Pernille Nielsen, Cindy Macleod, Graham Ritchie, Susan Munro, Rev Lorraine Ashdown, Holly Mackintosh, Andy Powell-Williams

A friend reminds us –Democracy dies in silence

Dear Editor,

WorkBC will help you find training, resources and financial support to advance your career. Learn more at WorkBC.ca/FindYourPath.

Plus, get one-on-one job support at your local WorkBC Centre.

News delivered via a Freedom of Information request documents a year of facilitation by Council’s Metro Vancouver representatives in order to achieve a purchase of the Cape on Bowen for the purpose of a camping park Whether we believe the park or the camping are a net benefit or a disaster, our modern expectations of democracy involve citizen consultation as a constitutional right to Good Government

The ” cover ” for undemocratic behavior has been justified by the private nature of a real estate agreement between Metro Vancouver and the Cape on Bowen And therein lies evidence of a over politicalized Metro governance model. As Canadians, we are more than familiar with the deceptive strategies that claim economic significance pre-empts substantial costs to ecosystems and communities.

The too familiar modus operandi is to get approvals as quickly as possible before

the public has time to get organized The implied assumption is that the project is too far along in the approval process for revision

Now we confront the same dynamic on our tiny rock in the UNESCO Biosphere Does Metro truly require these tactics just to develop a “recreational project?” It makes me wonder whether the proponents knew this was a bad plan for Bowen and applied the time tested strategy of pre-emption against us?

But why? That is an interesting question Bowen residents are remarkable for their active participation in government at all levels. We take participatory democracy seriously and engage with intelligence and constructive energy through our letters, presentations to Council and service on Advisory Committees.

Metro is now caught in a maelstrom of their own political making and it needs a clean-up.

- Betty Morton

This Bowen resident was having a grand time during the island’s recent snow dump / Haig Farris photo

Thursday, March 9 & Friday, March 10

Metro Vancouver public engagement sessions

Virtual webinars will include a presentation and opportunity to ask questions and talk to the Metro Van team about the proposed park at Cape Roger Curtis. Registration info available on the Metro Vancouver website. The March 9 session is from 5 to 7 pm, and the March 10 session from 10 am to Noon (12 pm)

Thursday, March 9 & Friday, March 10

IPS presents ‘Nailed It’

An evening of satirical shorts. 6:30 to 8:30 pm, doors open at 6. Free shuttle bus leaves Snug Cove at 6:15 pm and returns at 9 pm. Cates Hill Chapel, tickets $15. All ages show.

Thursday, March 9

Game Night! At the Bowen Library

5 to 7:30 pm Drop in for all ages, family-friendly games, including cards & board games Bring your own games too

Friday, March 10

Dinner at the Legion

Legion royalty comes to the kitchen with Kelsey KnipeHagert and her chicken enchiladas Vegetarion option available though it is limited Doors at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:30

Friday, March 10

Karaoke 3 at the Legion

Warm up those vocal cords and get set for a night of singing and fun. The show starts at 8 and goes until late

Monday, March 13

Regular Council Meeting

Starting at 6:15 pm Attend in person at Municipal Hall or follow the livestream on the municipality’s YouTube page

Monday, March 13

Rotary Speaker Series

Our guest speaker is RCMP Cpl. Adam Koehle Cpl Koehle took charge of the Bowen Island RCMP detachment

Relax.

in 2019. He will be able to discuss the nature of policing on this semi-rural island and explore the main issues for this detachment possibly including community safety, emergency services, and social issues? Should we be concerned about the level of violent crime, property crime, traffic offenses? How does the RCMP view future changes on Bowen? We expect a lively and informative evening. Doors open about 7 pm and the meeting starts at 7:30 pm We plan to conclude by 9 pm

Tuesday, March 14

Tourism Bowen Island Webinar

5 to 7 pm A virtual webinar community session to provide feedback and help inform the creation of TBI’s responsible tourism plan. Check the TBI website for details on how to register and take part

Sunday, March 19

Book Donation Day

Friends of the Library volunteers are accepting donations of clean, good condition used books and DVDs Donations toward our book sales can be brought to the Library Annex starting at 10:30 am until the volunteers’ bins are full (no later than 12:30 pm). We thank everyone who donates books for their contribution—your books help raise funds for the Library through book sales!

Sunday, March 19

French Connections at the Library

Drop in and join us to practice your conversational French, and get to know other French speakers on Bowen Island! The focus will be on beginner and intermediate speakers, but all levels welcome 1 to 2:30 pm

Saturday, April 1

Poetry Month Kickoff

Join us starting at 2:30 pm with a Poet Talk and Q&A with Jane Munro, at the Bowen Library Jane Munro is a Canadian

poet, writer, and educator, with several published books. Blue Sonoma won the 2015 Griffin Poetry Prize. Munro’s newest poetry collection is False Creek

TUESDAYS

2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month from 11:30 am to 1 pm Adult only, drop-in event $10 for a full lunch

Yoga at Collins Hall

Tuesdaysfrom1to2pm AgingwithGrace Easyyogaformobility, flexibility, strength, balance and stress reduction for Body and Mind $15 e-transfer or cash Drop in welcome Email jackie minns@gmail com or call 604-220-9092

WEDNESDAYS

Bowen Bridge

We meet from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at Bowen Court on Wednesdays

Fee is $5 per person per session Your place at the table must be arranged - by email - no later than 6 pm on the Monday before To make your booking or to seek more information, please email bowcates@yahoo ca We look forward to seeing you

THURSDAYS

March 2

Intro to Acrylic Painting

Learn how to paint in a stress free, fun environment 9:30 am to 12:30 pm No experience necessary. Small class size

Thursday Art Group

The Thursday Art Group (TAG) meets every Thursday at Collins Hall from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm to create, paint, sketch and enjoy meeting like minded souls if you think this group might be for you... pop by and see what we are all about Thursday, March 9 (and again March 16) we will be setting up simple still life’s to challenge ourselves

PS We all chip in $30 per month to rent the hall For further info contact shannonrondeau@shaw ca, or marie@marieneys com or just show up and visit to see what we do

Bowen Bats need your help

YOU COULD BECOME THE ISLAND’S NEXT BAT AMBASSADOR

DANIELLE DAGENAIS Regional Bat Coordinator / Community Bat Programs of BC

The Community Bat Programs of BC is offering a 2 hour Bat Ambassador course to interested persons or groups in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Gambier Island, and Bowen Island.

The course will be held on March 21 in the evening This initiative aims to assign one or two bat ambassadors to each of these regions to help collect data on bat reports, monitor bat roosts during the BC Annual Bat Count, and help with their White-nose Syndrome Surveillance program.

The Bat Ambassador program is a citizen-science volunteer program that will greatly help bat biologists learn more about bats in these regions, as well as help with the management and conservation of bats in these areas

Bat ambassadors will have program resources and support throughout the year Interested groups or persons please contact Danielle Dagenais, Regional Coordinator for the Metro Vancouver-Squamish Region at vancouver@ bcbats.ca to sign up and/or learn more

Researchers are also asking public for help fighting a disease that effects the Little Brown Bat B C ’ s bats, including the well-known Little Brown Bat, are threatened by a fungal disease headed towards the province from Alberta and Washington State The Community Bat Program, in collaboration with the Province of BC, are asking the public for help in the effort to detect and prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) Residents are urged to report any bat activity observed in winter and any sick or dead bats found before May 31.

White-Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that is harmless to humans, but has devastated North American bat populations The fungus attacks bats while they are hibernating, appearing on their wings and faces to give an appearance of a white nose

Bats often wake to clean the fungus from their skin. This uses valuable energy, and finally the bats die from hypothermia and starvation. Across North America, millions of bats have been killed, and two BC species are now listed as Endangered.

As a key predator for many night-flying insects, bats are essential parts of BC’s ecosystems and provide billions of dollars of economic benefit by helping control agricultural, forest, and urban pests

First detected in New York State in 2006, the disease continues to spread, with detections on the west coast close to Seattle and in south-central Alberta Biologists say the arrival of WNS in BC is imminent

Increasing the number of reports from the public is the best chance to understand how WNS might spread and affect local bat populations Though there is not yet a proven cure for WNS, several promising treatment options are being developed, and it may be possible to mitigate the effects of this wildlife health crisis.

If you find a dead bat or have sightings of winter bat activity, please report to the B.C. Community Bat Program online at www.bcbats.ca , via email at info@bcbats.ca or by calling 1-855-922-2287 (1-855-GOT-BATS).

All live bats should be left alone keep your distance, snap a photo and report it to the B.C Community Bat Program If you must move a bat, visit www.bcbats.ca for advice and never touch a bat with your bare hands Please note that if you or your pet has been in direct contact with the bat you will need further information regarding the risk of rabies to you and your pet

In partnership with the BC Ministry of Environment, and funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Forest Enhancement Society of BC, Habitat Stewardship Program, the BC Community Bat Program provides information and promotes local stewardship and citizen science

You can find out more about the BC Community Bat Program and options for helping local bat populations at www bcbats ca, info@bcbats ca, or 1-855922-2287 ext 11

Bowen Island needs locals interested in bat safety to help study and protect these creatures of the night. / Submitted photo

A trio of sleeping Little Brown Bats / Submitted photo

White-Nose Syndrome has spread rapidly across the United States and Canada since its discovery

$3 million loan approved to perform Bluewater LSA water upgrades

THE BORROWING PLAN CLEARED A PETITION AGAINST BY A WIDE MARGIN, MEANING UPGRADE WORK CAN BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR

ALEX KURIAL

Editor

A multi-year project to upgrade the water equipment making up the Bluewater Park local service area will proceed following the approval of a loan authorization bylaw

The move comes due to continually failing and aging equipment in the Bluewater Park (BWP) zone The local service area (LSA) has been forced to draw on wells in neighbouring Kind Edward Bay (KEB), however this solution is becoming less feasible as KEB continues to add residents and more demand is placed on their water supply

A number of substantial fixes were discussed late last

year during council meetings and a Committee of the Whole with representatives from the three area local advisory committees (LAC) – BWP, KEB, and Bowen Bay (BB)

The solution reached was to pursue a loan authorization bylaw (LAB) of $3 1 million by BWP to upgrade equipment in all three LAC’s

The cost would be borne almost entirely by BWP residents, meaning the LAB had to pass a Petition Against process by property owners in the LSA Following the 30-day period to voice opposition to the loan, just 29 of the area ’ s 153 homes (19%) representing 17 per cent of the total assessed value had petitioned against, falling far short of the 50 per cent threshold required in both categories to quash the plan

The money will be collected through a new parcel tax,

Numerous struggles for B.C. Ferries

CARLA WILSON

Times Colonist

B C Ferries has revised its four-year plan to take into account a predicted mild recession, inflation, “significantly” rising costs across the system and ongoing employee staffing and retention challenges

A 41-page supplemental report to the Office of the B C Ferries Commissioner updates the corporation’s outlook submitted six months ago

Employee turnover is high, mid-life upgrades for ships are being deferred, and maintenance costs for its aging fleet and infrastructure have jumped

B C Ferries’ updated forecast, based on the expectation of a mild recession early in its 2024 fiscal year, predicts traffic will be down one to three per cent overall, resulting in a $14-million drop in fare revenue

With high inflation that could cut into consumer spending in the next two years, there is a “real risk there will be a reduction in discretionary travel, which could further impact travel,” the update says. Even so, the company is assuming favourable economic conditions will return in the 2025 fiscal year, bringing traffic back up to earlier forecasted levels

Itcautionsthatvehicletrafficcoulddecline with future fare-rate increases However, the province announced last month it was providing $500 million to B.C Ferries to keep fare increases below three per cent per year

Capital spending is typically planned over 12 years Numbers provided in September have been revised because of “extraordinary” inflation, the update said

About $229 million has been added to the capital budget of $5-billion-plus even as some projects have been cancelled or deferred

New vessels account for about $2 2 billion of the capital budget The cost of several more new Island-class vessels has increased, although the report did not say by how much

Expected costs of $3.1 billion to upgrade existing vessels, terminals and information technology are expected to rise by about $187 million from previous estimates, mainly because of inflation, the update said.

As some projects have been advanced and others confirmed, more than 50 new initiatives remain, including a potential new tug and barge. About 15 projects have been can-

celled, valued at about $24 million Mid-life upgrades for the Coastal-class ferries have been pushed back to 2034 Terminal and vessel maintenance costs have climbed because of supply-chain pressures, inflation, unplanned work due to deferred capital programs, and required repairs at terminals, the outlook says

The cost to maintain the terminals has been higher than expected expenses rose by $6 9 million for the 2023 fiscal year and by $7 9 million for the 2024 fiscal year

More than half of the report addresses long-standing human resources issues, including lack of trained staff, high turnover, lack of leadership training and pay rates that are not competitive At the urging of the union representing B C Ferries workers, wages talks are set to reopen in November, five month ahead of schedule

The report compared hourly rates for eight positions and found B.C. Ferries was behind Seaspan, a North Vancouver-based marine company, in seven work categories.

Deckhand and bridgewatch workers at B.C. Ferries earned 24.9 per cent less than at Seaspan and third engineers on a large vessel earned 18 6 per cent less The outlook contained a section that looked at how to attract and retain workers, including information obtained through exit interviews Consistent themes emerged when employees were asked why they were leaving B C Ferries

An unnecessary amount of paperwork is required when technology could be used, they said, and operations management was not sufficiently trained to manage staff Workers pointed to an unsustainable workload, such as years of working 12-to-15-hour days and most weekends and the belief that a work-life balance was not possible

Other issues included a feeling that the workload was unmanageable and the situation would not improve in the long term A lack of progress in human resources was also listed

B.C Ferries made hiring accredited officers a priority, but the report said there has been a growing number of declined employment offers Would-be employees noted the difficulty in finding housing and the cost of living in some communities, the report said.

“B.C. Ferries is experiencing a gap in overall leadership capabilities, with front line leaders needing higher levels of support to manage both operations and their team members.”

and cost BWP residents about $1,323 a year over 30 years

Director of engineering Patrick Graham told council last week he expects the province to have the funds ready by May, allowing for design work and contract tendering to be complete by the fall Well upgrades and most of the water main upgrades could then start late this year and finish by Spring 2024

The remaining water main work along Spyglass Road will take place in Summer 2024 for environmental reasons Eight culverts will also be replaced during this later round of work, which the municipality will cover costs for

Phase 2 work, replacing water mains which are less damaged or near end of life, is estimated to take place in 2025 Exploration of potential new wells will also take place at this time

Last chance to Reflect

‘Objects of Reflection’ runs until this Sunday at the Hearth Gallery The exhibit from Rachael Ashe, Adrian Duchateau, and long-time Bowen resident Heather Stephens explores the many meanings behind what are seemingly everyday objects

You Can Make It Happen!

Snug Cove House Is Almost Ready

✓Registered Charity: 890207970RR0001

✓Project Manager: SiFo Construction

✓Architect: Wheeler Crawford and Sons

✓Construction Manager: Kindred

✓Appraiser: Westbridge Group

✓Market Study: Lumina Seniors’ Housing

✓Auditor: MacCormac and Company

✓Freehold Serviced Land 1082 Miller Road

✓Plans for 24-unit Residence

✓Rezoning, Development Permit

✓Development Variance Permit

✓Building Permit (ready in March)

✓Society Assets: $3,600,000.................

✓Construction Loan: $11,600,000

Can You Help Us

Check the Last Box?

Still Needed: $2,400,000

Everything’s in Place

to start building Snug Cove House, the supportive residence for Bowen seniors

24 one-bedroom Apartments

Large Balconies

Close to Snug Cove Village

Protected vehicle Parking

Surrounding Parkland

Commercial Kitchen

Spacious Dining Room

Top floor view Lounge

Weekly Laundry & Cleaning

Personal Care Services

Social and health Activities

Shopping & Leisure Trips

Community Events

Attentive Staff

Experienced Management

Except

Still Needed: $2,400,000 in interest rate increases and inflationary price increases for materials, labour and insurance

We have 88% of our Construction Budget

Construction Cost: $17,600,000..............

We have: $15,200 000

We need: $2,400,000

That’s a lot of money, $1,400 for every Bowen household, but anything you can contribute will help, even to show other potential funders that every Bowen household cares and contributed something

And please do it now A condition of our funding is that we must raise the remaining 12% with a very tight deadline - April 7th That’s only four weeks.

Your contribution is as a pledge, redeemable only when we have enough for construction

I pledge a gift of $ to the construction of Snug Cove House (Pledge is redeemable only if we raise enough to begin construction ) Signature: Date Signed: Name: Address: Phone: Email: