Bowen Island Undercurrent April 6 2023

More investment needed in capital reserves, say staff

CFO AND ENGINEERING DIRECTOR MAKE CASE FOR INCREASED LONGTERM FINANCIAL PLANNING

ALEX KURIAL Editor

Greater attention must be paid to future financing of capital projects for the municipality to keep up with work demands, council heard last week

“I think we ’ ve known for many years that there would be future liabilities that we faced from the risk of climate change, from failing infrastructure, all of the equipment and assets that we have to look after,” said chief financial officer Kristen Watson during a Committee of the Whole on March 27.

The meeting was held as part of this year ’ s municipal (BIM) budget consultation process, which wrapped up last Friday. Results from the public consultation, including individuals and committees, will be discussed at the upcoming April 11 council meeting

Watson says BIM needs to begin contributing to a variety of capital reserve funds through annual contributions, typically over the course of 10 years. She explained this was an approach used by past councils, but one which expired in 2021.

Engineering director Patrick Graham joined Watson for the presentation and detailed some of the capital work in the years ahead which will make setting aside money today necessary. He explained not every project will be taking place imminently, but that even those happening beyond five years need attention now

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Events

AllCouncilmeetingsareopen tothepublictoattendin personorelectronically,unless notedotherwise

April 11, 2023

9:30 am

CommitteeoftheWholeProposedParkatCRC

April 11, 2023

6:15 pm

RegularCouncilMeeting

April 13, 2023

1:00 pm

BoardofVarianceMeeting

Seeking Public Comment

BOV-2023-0011for657Channelview

Thursday,April13,2023at1:00pm

OnlineviaZoom

BoardofVarianceMeeting

PROJECTDESCRIPTION:

ABoardofVarianceapplicationhasbeensubmittedfor657 ChannelviewDrive(shownonfigure)toreducethesetback fromalotlinethatabutsahighwayforaproposedaccessory workshop ThepresenceofCliffRoadontheSouthsideofthe propertyrequiresasetbackof46m,whichtheapplicantshave requestedtoreduceto362minordertobuildonanexisting foundation.

Seeking Public Comment

DVP-2023-0065for1461MountGardner

Tuesday,April11,2023at6:15pm

OnlineviaZoom

RegularCouncilMeeting

PROJECTDESCRIPTION:

ADevelopmentVariancePermitapplicationhasbeen submittedfor1461MountGardnerRoad(shownonmap)to increasethemaximumallowablelotcoverageaswellasthe maximumallowablesizeofadetachedsecondarysuite

Numerousfarmbuildingshavebeenaddedtotheproperty overtheyears,andthecurrentlotcoverageexceedsthe maximum Theapplicationistorequestapprovalofthe current2,880sqmoflotcoverage,whichexceedsthe maximumof1500sqm Theapplicantsalsowishtoconstruct anewdwelling,andwilldesignatetheexistingresidenceasa detachedsecondarysuite,whichrequiresavarianceasthe currentfloorareaof188sqmexceedsthemaximumallowable sizeof140sqm StaffwillintroducetheapplicationtoCouncil attheApril11,2023CouncilMeeting AtthatmeetingCouncil willdecidetosetadatetoconsiderissuingthepermit,ormay choosetonotproceedfurtherwiththeapplication

YOURCOMMENTSAREWELCOME:

Writtensubmissionsaccepteduptosevencalendardays beforemeetingdateandmaybedeliveredtoMunicipalHall (contactinformationbelow):

Inperson,bymail,byfaxorbyemailtoplanning@bimbcca

VerbalsubmissionsmaybemadetotheBoardatthemeeting:

1:00PMonThursday,April13,2023

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/board-of-variance/

Committee of the Whole

ProposedParkatCapeRogerCuris

9:30amonTuesday,April11,2023

Thepurposeofthemeetingistodiscusstherezoning application,andforstafftoprovideanupdateoncompleted referralstodate

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/regional-park-at-caperoger-curtis/

Hours:8:30am-4:30pm

YOURCOMMENTSAREWELCOME:

WrittensubmissionsmaybedeliveredtoMunicipalHall before4:00pmonTuesday,April11,2023: Inperson,bymail,byfaxorbyemailto mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca

VerbalsubmissionsmaybemadetoMayorandCouncilatthe meeting:

6:15PMonTuesday,April11,2023

inCouncilChambers,MunicipalHall,or virtuallyviaZoom Fordetailssee: wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/council-meetings

MOREINFORMATION:

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/planning/

Questions?PleasecontactDrewBakken,Planner1,at604-9474255ext233orbyemailatdbakken@bimbcca

Road & culvert work - plus related vehicles and equipment - will bear high capital costs

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Perhaps the largest individual project on the horizon is Phase 2 upgrades to the Snug Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Phase 1 work on the Dorman Road site is expected to be completed this month, connecting already existing properties along with a few in progress

Any future growth in the Cove however will require the far more substantial Phase 2 work however Graham estimates this will cost around $7 million, including $500,000 for design work, $5 5 million for the actual upgrades, and another $1 million for design and replacement of the outfall An approximate 100 metre squared size of land in neighbouring Crippen Park will also need to be acquired from Metro Vancouver to make room for the work

Graham said this project could be stretched over a long period of time, even 20 years, and completed in segments such as phased design work or delaying the outfall portion

An overhaul of the public works service yard on Carter Road will be a more immediate fix, and is estimated to cost around $3.5 million. Plans haven’t been finalized yet but the proposed idea has been for a full redesign of the yard, including a new works building and garage

Given the current timeline this work would be applied to the 2024/25 budgets For this year, $160,000 will be spent to install a temporary trailer on the site – the old one has become a health hazard to municipal staff for a number of reasons – and complete environmental assessment work in hopes of lifting a provincial building ban imposed after it was discovered the site was contaminated

Work on the Multi-Use Path (MUP) will also incur higher costs as the trail runs into challenging mid-island terrain. The path has received strong grant support though,

including a combined $990,000 from four grants for the next stretch from its current end-point at Artisan Lane to the nearby Charlie’s Lane The total cost of this Phase 4 is around $1.6 million.

The entire Artisan Lane to Grafton Lake portion of the MUP is estimated at $3.150 million. The cost of Grafton Lake to Harding Road construction will be borne by the development company operating in the area, and the final MUP run from Harding Road to Bowen Bay Road will cost around $5 million.

One of the larger long-term projects will be road rehabilitation. Graham says repairs and upkeep on the approximately 500,000 square metres of island roads will run around $30 million over the next three decades. He suggested a contribution of $1 million a year over that time period to keep up.

Naturally road health is closely linked to that of culverts, which is the biggest reason for road failure. Bowen’s 343 municipal culverts are in need of varying stages of repair, which Graham estimates at around $18 million. He estimated it would take about $855,000 a year for the next 20 years to cover these costs.

Specific road projects include addressing the Carter Road bridge, which was identified as an issue in 2016 and has become unsafe for large vehicles such as buses Design and replacement will cost around $850,000 More work on the storm sewer system under Bowen Island Trunk Road is also needed. Repairs were completed on the north side of the road last year following a sink hole collapse, but fixes also need to happen across the street on the south side Graham says these should happen in the next five to 10 years and will run about $800,000.

In terms of the fleet and equipment needed to perform that, and other road work, Graham says a pair of new trucks should be a priority. One of the trucks will need to be replaced this year, and staff have said the department should

Don’t ForgetYour Bike Lock

also trade one of their five-tonne trucks for a one-tonne truck since it would better perform the island’s specific needs Factoring in auction of the old trucks the pair would cost around $200,000.

Graham added acquiring an excavator would vastly increase the amount of work BIM could do on their own, such as ditch cleaning and emergency response, instead of looking elsewhere for help This would cost around $130,000. Improved equipment to perform maintenance jobs on the MUP, including plowing and sweeping, would be around $50,000.

Other work Graham noted included geotechnical risk mitigation on some of Bowen’s rockier roads Taylor Road work of this kind was completed in 2021, costing $350,000 total. Future mitigation efforts need to take place at Woods Road, which will be around $750,000, and Eagle Cliff Road, at about $250,000. Engineers still need to nail down the scope and cost of these and other areas, and decide what methods (bolts, mesh, etc.) will be best to reduce rockfall risks.

BIM will also incur some capital costs from upgrade projects in the Bluewater Park and Eagle Cliff water systems, though the majority of these will be paid by residents of the local service areas. The municipal portion of around $880,000 for Bluewater Park and $550,000 for Eagle Cliff will cover culvert repairs.

Graham added he is also looking forward to development of the upcoming Asset Management Plan, as the one conducted in 2019 by a prior chief financial officer has not been very useful for his department “It’s been very difficult to understand where the assumptions and conclusions in this report came from,” said the director, noting many of the spreadsheet calculations for public works projects have been well off the mark

“It raises a lot of questions about how much we can rely on this (old version)… It’s almost like we’re developing a new plan,” said Graham of the need for an updated version.

“We do need to have better capital replacement requirements and cost estimates for all of the categories,” concluded Graham on his goals for municipal budgeting moving forward.

New bike racks were installed at the Bike Barn on the Dock Dance dock on Wednesday, April 5. Cyclists were already putting the new storage features to heavy use by the afternoon / Alex Kurial photo

Happy Easter!

Hope everybody is looking forward to a nice holiday weekend in the days ahead as Good Friday and Easter Monday roll around on the calendar Whether you are celebrating the stories which mark the occasion, or are just excited about some time off - or both! - we hope you have a wonderful couple of days and take part in some well deserved fun and relaxation Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to be visited by the Easter Bunny too

If you ’ re a fan of the Canucks, this weekend also marks your last chance to see them play at home, with their Vancouver finale set for Saturday against the Calgary Flames There’s a few more road games next week to close out another playoff-less season The last month provided some hope for next year though and, at the risk of sounding downright optimistic, I think this team has the ability to be in the postseason conversation come this time next year

And hey, how bout this warm weather? I spent the last several days in Prince Edward Island, where temperatures in the negative double digits, howling winds, swirling snow, and a still partially frozen Gulf of St Lawrence were how the island welcomed April It’s a good reminder that our Spring experience is quite different from many other parts of Canada, and it’s quite the experience to go through a 25 degree weather change in 24 hours! (Kind of fun though)

Alex Kurial, Editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Another two months of time for Snug Cove House

To the Editor,

Thanks fellow islanders! As of Tuesday, April 4, 141 Bowen households, and Bowen’s Community Foundation and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 150, have so far pledged $288,675 towards the construction and planning of Snug Cove House

This truly impressive sum has been promised in just under six weeks, just shy of the original April 7 deadline imposed by our major financier As we said two weeks ago, the financier was impressed enough by the island’s positive

attitude towards the project that it extended the deadline to June 15 We’re using this very welcome reprieve to approach foundations and high net worth individuals to see if they can get the seniors’ residence across the finish line If you haven’t made a pledge, it’s not too late Every dollar counts, even the smallest sum, and every household that chips in helps to convince big donors that the community cares You don’t even have to fill in a form – just e-mail to info@snugcovehouse com with the sentence “I pledge $ towards the construction of Snug Cove House” The pledges will only be redeemed if enough are collected to

begin construction

If you don’t know enough about Snug Cove House to make a decision, check out our website snugcovehouse com There’s a good Frequently Asked Questions section there Or speak to a Snug Cove House director near you

- With gratitude, the board of directors of Snug Cove House Society

Martine Sampath, Pernille Nielsen, Cindy Macleod, Graham Ritchie, Rev Lorraine Ashdown, Holly Mackintosh, Andy Powell-Williams, Sheilagh Sparks

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

All

#102–495 BowenTrunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC,V0N 1G0

Phone: 604 947 2442 Fax: 604 947 0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com

EDITOR Alex Kurial editor@bowenisland undercurrent com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent com

CARTOONIST

Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Matt Blair publisher@bowenisland

The

If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for

VIEWPOINTS

Reader requests change to local tourism approach

Dear Editor,

I was dismayed to read the Tourism Destination Development and Management Implementation Guide prepared for the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region.

Bowen Island is seen as a tourism resource ripe for the picking, rather than a community on a fragile island and in need of careful planning and protection. I feel that the consultants have put the cart before the horse in that they are planning for tourism development before they have a clear notion of what it should look like.

For all the lip service paid to notions of sustainable tourism, collaborative destination management, and working with the local community, we have seen not one bit of collaboration with the community to date. Rather, there have been unwelcome assumptions that Bowen Islanders will simply accept, even welcome, a large increase in visitor numbers However good their intentions, the consultants have provided no detail or examples of how tourism development can be aligned with the community’s unique characteristics and “values of place” , to quote just one claim

I resent, too, that Bowen Island, having in place committees and community organizations concerned with related issues, can be called upon to contribute, free of charge, to the problem of managing the impacts of the business of tourism To expect that a community of a few thousand people, can absorb hundreds of thousands of visitors to the island each summer is naïve and insensitive

Unfortunately, we have no control over the number of tourists who choose to get on the ferry and come to Bowen Island. However, we can control the amount of accommodation on offer, and the types of services provided for tourists and others No doubt, there will be an increase in tourism from its already high level, and there seems no doubt that it will continue to place a burden on Bowen Island’s natural and other resources

One thing we should do immediately is make arrangements to introduce a 3% Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) and to use the funds for projects dedicated to low-cost housing. Such a tax would raise funds from overnight visitors in paid accommodation, but would still leave day visitors untouched. Without a way to tax them too, all of us who are not currently gaining income from tourism are, in effect, subsidising the tourist industry Our provincial and federal governments already give huge subsidies to the industry, in the form of funds for tourism promotion, the provision of infrastructure such as roads, airports, ferry services, water, sewers, policing, public trails, parks, and so on

There is some debate as to what extent tourism benefits the local economy. Some positive benefits might be increased number of restaurants and stores for those Bowen Islanders who value such things, and some jobs (although these tend to be poorly paid) but they come at the cost of crowding on our roads, ferry overloads, overcrowding at our beaches in the summer, and so on There can be no debate that increased tourism is beneficial to a small number of islanders who offer accommodation in the form of B&Bs and Airbnbs, run restaurants and stores, and provide other tourist services But, for the rest of us, mass tourism is a nuisance and is not particularly wanted.

I do not expect that Bowen Islanders should have the island entirely to themselves and I do not believe that visitors should be unwelcome, but it is another matter entirely to go out and promote the island as a destination and encourage visitors to come here They need no encouragement Social and traditional media already provide more

than enough encouragement and information. The list of places overrun by tourists having been over-promoted by social media is very long and spans the globe I do not want to see Bowen Island added to that list

I have little enthusiasm for the management of tourism, and none for the promotion of it; my own experience is that the unmanaged and unpromoted places are often the best places to visit I suspect it at the very least, we will have to manage tourism to the extent that we mitigate and limit its impacts

I request that Council initiate its own research and planning for tourism, beginning with the question of what Bowen Islanders would like to see After that we could move on to what level of tourism would be appropriate, how best

to accommodate tourists and how to manage the industry on Bowen.

At the same time, we should take steps to limit the number of private homes that can offer accommodation, and to limit the number of nights and visitors to each We should also investigate how to recoup funds from these businesses which are currently being subsidized by the rest of us

I hope that Council rejects this report and ceases to fund any form of tourism promotion by Tourism Bowen Island

Yours faithfully,

- Peter Williamson

On the day of his passing, Günter had a beer, sushi, cookies, and smoked salmon; he reminisced with his familyoverphotosoftheYukon,Kauai,andBowenIsland;hetoldusthathelovedus,andthatthegardeners needed to put more fertilizer on the rhododendrons so that they would bloom most spectacularly this spring He got a hug and a kiss and warm teardrops on his face from each of us present at his death True to his independent nature, he chose a medically assisted death, after 6 long weeks in the hospital from having taken a bad fall at home

His wife Helga was cared for by her dear husband right up to his fall, and looks back on 64 years of loving marriage, many travel adventures, and a joint fondness for the three pairs of cats that accompanied them through later life (Mieze and Blackie, Möhrle #1 and Bossie, and Möhrle #2 and Ophie) Although her memory is fading, the coming of spring reminds her of the many happy hours they spent toiling in the garden, finding little cultivated and wild flowers, and watching the deer eat them up

His son Ralph had dad as his best friend throughout life Ralph and his wife Carol are deeply thankful for all of the generous support that Günter provided over the years, and remember with nostalgia the adventurous trips to the Yukon, crammed together with Helga and Günter into their motorhome

Günter’srelativesonBowenIsland,Peter,Ann,Sophie,EllieandAbby,andhisrelativesinGermany,Rüdiger, Annemarie, Anja and Rigo, remember the many happy summer afternoons spent on the deck of their house off Adams Road Afternoons that were filled with flowers, champagne, colorful Hawaiian shirts, and the smell of roasting tenderloin

From his birth on January 2, 1932, in Germany, Günter had seen hard times during the second World War in Germany, a loving marriage and successful career as a real-estate developer, a bold move with his entire family to Vancouver in 1972, and a move to Bowen Island with his wife into retirement in 2000 While he and Helga still went for swims in the ocean, he was perhaps best known at Sealeigh Beach for always carrying a thermometer and having the temperature, tide table, and weather forecast available to anybody interested

Everybody is welcome to an informal outdoor memorial service that will begin promptly at 5pm on Saturday, April 8. If you would like to attend, please email radolphs@caltech.edu. We do not wish any flowers or other material presents It would make us happy if there are donations to help keep Bowen Island a special place in Nature (https://bowenislandconservancy org/contact-us/ make-a-donation/) and to build better health and medical resources (https://bowenhealthcentre com/donate/)

Photo: Helga and Günter on one of their many trips to the Yukon, here on the shore of Little Salmon Lake

VIEWPOINTS

Mapping Out Our Future

Dear Editor,

For me the key ingredient of what makes Bowen, Bowen, is our expansive rainforest. Not just the trees that poke out of our backyards, but the real, sinous, continuous mass of plants, animals and waterways.

I’m inspired by a global wilderness initiative under way to protect 30% of the natural spaces on earth by 2030, and 50% by 2050 It’s sometimes dubbed ’nature needs half’

So I thought I would catalogue what we have protected of nature on the island, and how 50% preservation might look Currently, much of Crown Land on the island is in the Timber Harvest Land Base, and some has rural residential zoning

It turns out we’d need to add about 1% of Bowen’s land base to protected status per year to achieve both targets Not only would a park at Cape Roger add 1 9% (two

years ’ worth of our target), but it would connect the Wild Coast Nature Reserve to Fairy Fen, which in turn connects with Quarry Park and Headwaters Park, linking ocean to mountain forever I hope we can view the OCP amenment process as a opportunity for finding solutions, rather than giving in to pessimism and ending the process prematurely

Below is a link to three maps I made showing what 50% would look like; what’s preserved today; and how the natural lands on the island are zoned, including tables with the numbers I encourage anyone interested in our future to check them out If we create a clearer vision of how we want Bowen to look in 2030 or 2050, we can judge the wisest course to getting there

Link: https://bit ly/3LkJh92

- John Dowler

Why we all fight so hard for Bowen

In the fall of 2015, working with the BIM Economic Development Committee, we designed and analyzed a Bowen Island resident survey The purpose of the survey was to discover insights about our residents: the most memorable experiences they have had on Bowen, and the emotional benefits they receive from living here A representative number of residents responded to the survey, providing opinions and stories rich in imagery and emotion

From the findings we were able to construct a common narrative that captures the heart of Bowen residents’ experiences:

The Bowen Resident Story: The real moments in life

From the very first time we set eyes on the natural beau-

ty of our island, we knew Bowen is where we belong It is a special place we can truly call home; a place that provides purposeful and meaningful connections to the things that matter most in our lives

The peace and quiet of our island are valued and soothing respites from the stress and cares of everyday life Here we can still feel the serenity of being completely alone with our thoughts, amid the joys of the natural world

We know that choosing to live on a small island can be challenging But we also know there is a vibrant and caring community willing to pitch in and help if we are ever in need It is a community that gives us so much: lasting friendships, wonderful festivities, the arts, learn-

ing We are grateful to live in this island paradise so close to a major city and we take our responsibility for its stewardship very seriously

Bowen Island is where the real moments in life happen Is it any wonder when our island and our quality of life faces potential great change, we fight so hard to protect it? Islands need special care They are unique and fragile ecosystems Their stewardship cannot be approached using standard, cookie cutter methods that endanger the island uniqueness We must be creative and far-sighted in our decision-making

- Sheree Johnson & Edward Wachtman

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thursday, April 6

Film Night at the Library

Join us for a showing of the film The New Corporation (2020), directed by Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan Dropin, no registration required Come a little early and grab a comfy chair film starts promptly at 6 pm, and runs for 105 minutes

Friday, April 7

SKY Walks

For anyone 55+ Held at various trails weekly on Fridays On April 7, meet at the Golf Club at 10:30 am and the walk starts promptly at 10:45 am Enjoy the outdoors and meet new friends

Friday, April 7

Jazz Night at the Pub

Come check out some jazzy tunes on Good Friday at the Pub Evening of music goes from 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Saturday, April 8 & 22

Spring Pop Up Market

Fresh food, crafts, coffee and more at the Bowen Agricultural Alliance Pop Up Market Taking place at BICS from 10 am to Noon Veggies, herbs, eggs, crocheted items too Please bring cash and shopping bags

Tuesday, April 11

Committee of the Whole meeting

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the rezoning application, and for staff to provide an update on completed referrals to date. Attend in-person at Municipal Hall or on Zoom, and watch on the municipal YouTube page. Starts at 9:30 am.

Tuesday, April 11

Regular Council Meeting

Starts at 6:15 pm. Attend in-person at Municipal Hall, or watch live or later on the municipality’s YouTube page.

Wednesday, April 12

Storytime at the Library

10:30 to 11 am A free drop-in program of stories and songs for 2-4 year-olds and their caregivers!

Thursday, April 13

SKY’s Sit-Stand Yoga with Diana Kaile

Starts Thursday, April 13 from 10 to 11 am in Bowen Court’s Multi-Purpose Room A small contribution to cover SKY’s operating cost is always appreciated but optional. Open to anyone 55+. *Note: This replaces Monday Chair Yoga.

Thursday, April 13

Gather For Games with SKY

Fun and friendly games for 55+. Drop in at the Bowen Library Annex from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Free to attend (SKY membership not required) Join us for tea/coffee & casual games: Bridge, chess, cards, May Jong, UNO, Boggle, Yahtzee, Scrabble, Rummikub, brain games, and more! Good for your brain, great for your soul!

Thursday, April 13

ChessMates+ at the Library

Calling all chess lovers! Drop in for casual chess at the Library–all experience levels welcome (though it helps if you know the basics). We also have lots of other games available: Catan, Scrabble, Monopoly, Jenga, Mah Jong, cards, blocks, and more! Runs from 6 to 7:30 pm.

Saturday, April 15

Wild West Yellowstone Concert

Fundraiser for the Gymnastics trip to Amsterdam for World Gymnaestrada. Black Molly plays 8 pm at the Legion, tickets $30 at Phoenix and Cates Pharmacy.

Saturday, April 22

Daniel Wesley at the Bowen Island Pub 7:30 pm at the Pub. Daniel will be playing with special guests Cannery Row. Tickets $29, available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, April 30

Bowen Children’s Fair

Rescheduled from earlier this year. Parents and caregivers of kids aged 0-5 welcome at the BICS gym from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Featuring children’s musician Katie Brock, and games, music, snacks, crafts, a drumming circle, and more.

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 $6 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

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 All April Trail Society 30x30

Get outside for a minimum of 30 minutes every day in April This event is FREE for BITS members Registration for non-BITS members is $10 Sign up on email and we’ll send you a calendar with some featured group activities: bowenislandtrailsociety@gmail com

Bowen Island Municipality NoticeofMeetingofParcelTaxReviewPanel2023

PleasebeadvisedthattheParcelTaxReviewPanelisscheduledtomeeton: Friday,April21,2023at4:00pm onlineviaZoom

TheParcelTaxReviewPanelisastatutorymunicipalbodythatsitsonceayearto hearcomplaintsfromtaxpayersregardingthevalidityoftheparceltaxroll. Persection205oftheCommunityCharter,apersonmaymakeacomplainttothe parceltaxreviewpanelononeormoreofthefollowinggrounds:

1. Thereisanomissionrespectinganameoraddressontheparceltaxroll;

2 Thereisanerrororomissionrespectingtheinclusionofaparcel;

3 Thereisanerrororomissionrespectingthetaxableareaorthetaxablefrontage ofaparcel;

4 Anexemptionhasbeenimproperlyallowedordisallowed

Personswishingtobeheardarerequiredtosubmitnoticeinwritingatleast48 hoursbeforethescheduledsittingofthepanel.Ifnosuchwrittennoticeis receivedthepanelwillnotmeet

Writtensubmissionsshouldbedirectedto: KristenWatson

ChiefFinancialOfficer

Questions?Call604-947-4255ext.256oremailfinance@bimbc.ca

ParcelTaxRollsareavailableforpublicinspectionbetween8:30amand4:30pm MondaythroughFriday(excludingstatutoryholidays) wwwbowenislandmunicipality.ca/2023-parcel-tax-review-panel/

Baaaa-rely a month old

Deer Duo

Haig Farris snapped some photos of a pair of deer recently out for a stroll He noted they have perfectly suited ears to serve in an elected capacity, allowing them to listen more and talk less Given many politicians though, this is often only the case in a theoretical world.

Rosie Montgomery of Endswell Farms tells the Undercurrent there has been lambs born at the farm every year since the 1970s This year in mid-March, nine lambs were born, six ewes and three rams. The curious little guys are hanging inside the barn with their moms, and will soon be released to play and cavort out of doors around the farm. / Marcus Hondro photos

Rosie Montgomery and Stefan Myers, along with a proud, smiling Mama Sheep

Wrapping It Up

MARIA TURNBULL

Bowen Island Football Club

It started with a two 20-minute half match-up (U-13 boys players vs parents) at Bowen Island Community School (shout-out to Bowen Island Community Recreation for turf/ field arrangements to work around the Easter egg hunt).

The parents - Team Tiger Balm - came up trumps with a questionable call that left the kids facing a penalty shot With sore muscles, the crew followed the competition with a hearty lunch at Doc Morgan’s (thanks to Julia, Tara, and the rest of the Doc’s crew for putting up with us) This included inspiring words from our coaches, Colin Turnbull and Stacy Shannon, both of whom have led this mighty team of mostly Grade 6-7s since 2019.

This story is also about the parents though This is what community has been for Colin and I (I’ve been the Team Manager for the same period). The parent support and passion for the sport has always been part of what has made this one of the best volunteer gigs going!

Thanks to Bowen Island Football Club for making the whole journey possible, and equipping these boys with so many skills - both on and off the pitch!

Jean Coker & Submitted photos

Sunny Send-Off

He is the sweetest old boy you could imagine and comes in monthly for re-checks. Hawk has arthritis, an incurable condition, with common signs being stiffness, lameness and pain. About 40% of all cats and dogs get arthritis, and it can occur at any age. There now is a new treatment called Librela that helps with pain management and mobility issues. The injection is given once a month at the vet and can be given with other pain medication.

HAWK

Jerry Kaehne captured this sweeping sunset shot at Bluewater near the end of March.