The week began with a beautiful stretch of sunny days, allowing Snug Cove and the rest of the island to show off in all its glory. While Wednesday brought the return of the rain for awhile, the couple days of sunshine were a nice preview of what will hopefully be Bowen’s day-to-day weather before too long / Alex Kurial photo
Differences remain between Metro Vancouver and the municipality regarding next steps in the Cape Roger Curtis park proposal.
Metro’s plan for a 97-hectare park on the southwest side of the island requires changes to the municipality’s (BIM) Official Community Plan (OCP) and Land Use Bylaw, since the proposal includes 100 overnight campsites. The project passed a first reading of council last spring, but later that summer Islands Trust – who under the Letters Patent must approve changes to Bowen’s OCP – determined the plan violated 10 of their policy statements.
In the fall BIM followed up with a letter outlining their own additional conditions for a successful rezoning application, including funding of future portions of the Multi-Use Path and a reduction in vehicle-based campsites. The municipality also passed a resolution in October stating Metro must amend their application.
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This phenomenal property boasts both amain home and acoach house nestled within four sunny acres. The 4bdrmmain home
to Energy Step Code 5and is Net Zero Ready,with a southernview looking out across the Salish Sea to the Gulf Islands. The detached 2bedroom, 2bath 1,100 sf legal suite sits above triple garage/workshop. Borders the Ecological Reserve for plenty ofpeace and quiet.
AllCouncilmeetingsareopen tothepublictoattendin personorelectronically,unless notedotherwise.
March 25, 2024
1:00 pm
RegularCouncilMeeting
BIMisseekingtemporarysummer stafftosupportourRecreation teamwithrunningchildren’s daycamps,andourPublicWorks crewonmaintaininghealthy roadsandparks!Thesepositions aregrantfunded.Ifyouhaveany questionsaboutthesepositionsor wishtoapply,pleasecontactKat Stephensathr@bimbc.ca
RecreationDaycampLeaders–2-3full-timepositionsavailable $23.98-$26.21perhourbasedonexperience.Mustbe18+,responsible forplanningandfacilitatingdailysummercampsforchildrenages5-11 andsupervisingCampstaffandvolunteers
RecreationDaycampAssistants–2-3positionsavailable.$20.84$22.78perhourbasedonexperience.SupportsDaycampLeadersto facilitatesuccessfulchildren’sdaycamps,andhelpsupervisecamp volunteers.
SummerRoads&ParksAssistants–2positionsavailable.$21.00-$24.00 perhourbasedonexperience.Maintainhealthyroads,parks,beaches, docks,andothercriticalinfrastructuretomaximizepublicsafetyand enjoymentofBowen’ssummeramenities!
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/work-with-us
BIMhasimmediateopeningsfor2-3casualFerryTrafficMarshalls, workingonanon-callbasistosupporttrafficflaggingneedsinSnug Coveduringpeakvisitortrafficandferryservicedisruptions.Working underBylawServices,thesepositionsarepartiallyfundedbyBCFerries Corp.Seethefulljobdescriptionandwagesonourwebsite:
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/work-with-us
Doyouneedsupportforaprojectthatincreasesclimateresiliency throughcommunityactionorenvironmentalprotection?
BIMisinvestinginclimateactionthroughtheSustainableCommunity GrantProgram.Manydifferenttypesofprojectsmaybesupported. Projectsshouldbeachievablewithintheyearofthegrant,relatetothe evaluationcriteria,andbenefitthecommunity.
Pleaserefertothegrantcriteriafordetails,andbeinnovative.Weare acceptingapplicationsuntilApril15,2024at4:30pm.
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/sustainable-community-grants/
BowenIsland’svolunteerFireRescueistakingapplicationsuntilMarch 31,2024.
Becomingavolunteerfirefighterand/orvolunteerfirstresponder takestime,effortanddedication.However,thebenefitsofsaving livesandmakingBowenIslandasaferplaceiswortheveryminute andeveryounceofeffort.Pleasereviewtheinformationbelowto learnaboutbecomingavolunteerfirefighterand/orvolunteerfirst responder.Applyifyouwanttodedicateyourtime,skills,andphysical abilitytohelpingyourcommunity.
Firefightersareexpectedto:
• beavailableandwillingtobecalledoutatanytime
• bewillingtoundergotrainingforfirstrespondermedical situations,inadditiontofirefighting
• bewillingtodoonlinefirefightingknowledgecourses
• attendaminimumof66%oftrainingpractices
• attendaminimumof25%ofallcalls
Questions?
ContactAaronHanen,FireChief,bycalling604-947-4255ext300or emailahanen@bimbc.ca
https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/apply-fire-fighter/
A temporary use permit (TUP) application allowing for the manufacturing of prefabrication home parts will come before council next month.
Bowen-based company Kiwi Innovation expressed their intention to build a temporary facility on their currently vacant lot at 604 Grafton Road The parcel is currently zoned for use as a gas station, but has never been used for that purpose. The TUP would allow for a building facility to be built under the light manufacturing portion of the Land Use Bylaw.
In a letter to council Kiwi said the ability to construct home parts on the island would help in the areas of waste reduction, energy and cost efficiency, and collaboration with other Bowen construction companies. Kiwi added that following the TUP period, they hope to establish a more permanent residential or commercial development on the site, depending on the availability of sewage connections
at that time.
TUP conditions would include the requirement for Kiwi to remove the facility after three years – the length of the TUP –and to observe the environmental conditions of the property’s covenant. Council is scheduled to decide on the TUP at their April 8 meeting
The equipment necessary to get the Cove Bay Water Treatment Plant up and running is heading back to Ontario for repairs.
Purifics, the manufacturer of the treatment technology, will return the skid containing the water treatment technology to London, ON where it will undergo a factory reset. At that point the company says they’re confident the parts will work as expected and the plant can finally be commissioned.
“It’s unfortunate that we find ourselves still in a position of the plant not working,” said chief administrative officer Liam Edwards, but added that “We’re very hopeful that confidence does play out in the way that was described.”
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During a Regional Parks Committee meeting earlier this month, director Mike Redpath detailed Metro’s responses to these developments. A December letter from Metro to BIM said the current park proposal is in line with Islands Trust and municipal policies, and asked for more detailed reasoning on the Islands Trust policy violations and Bowen’s list of additional conditions, along with further general and technical feedback. As for BIM’s request for an amended proposal, the Metro letter said it was “insufficiently clear for Metro Vancouver to respond effectively.”
A response letter was given by the municipality last month. During the March update Redpath said BIM’s letter “failed to provide the requested clarity on the Islands Trust determination of non-compliance, formal feedback on the park concept and technical studies which were requested by Bowen Island Municipality, and a reply to Metro Vancouver’s response to the Municipality’s conditional requirements for rezoning approval which include the funding of infrastructure and execution of land transfers outside of the proposed park.”
During Bowen’s council last week Mayor Andrew Leonard addressed Metro’s position that the municipal response was insufficient. Describing BIM’s response as “com-
prehensive, complete, and educational” the mayor explained that “Metro Vancouver further stated that we didn’t provide them with any formal feedback on the park concept or technical studies, nor have we replied to their response regarding our conditional requirements… This (Metro Vancouver’s update) was provided to the (Regional Parks) committee without the letter (BIM February) itself that was sent from the municipality.”
“I had a follow up conversation with Metro Vancouver staff rather assertively correcting the record on some of these points, as I felt that it was a disservice to our staff, as well as our council and the effort that’s been put in on this… to put together a comprehensive response that did include an overview of the Islands Trust procedure, as well as made comments where it could regarding things like transportation, adaptive management, water supply, and provided questions and next steps,” continued Leonard.
“In my view it was a disservice to our municipality for a report like this to go out into the public realm… that did not address the breadth of what we’ve discussed already both at council and committees, and was distilled and put forward by staff. So that has been communicated to Metro Vancouver and we will see where it goes from there,” he concluded.
Friday,March 22,2024
It hascertainlybeenabusymonth so far, and even in this final week and abit thereisa lot moretogo. This includes ourMarchIslandWide paper, whichasyou mayhaveseenon last week’s coverhas some earlier submission deadlines duetothe upcomingEasterlong weekend. So afinal reminder that if you have a photo, story, or opinion you’ve been sittingon and areable to send it alongthisweekend, it should be goodtogofor nextweek. And thank you to everyone who hasalready sent stuffin!
We’reseeingmoreand moreactivities around town as we move into Spring, including severalinthe nextfew days alone.On Saturday Leah Greggwill bringher positive energy to the Libraryfor adiscussion (following afilm) on what the futureofPride supportmight look like on Bowen. Laterthat nightatthe Legion Billi Behm leads what is alwaysarocking evening when the Karaoketunes takeover. It’s greatfun to seeyourfriends and neighboursgivetheir interpretations -both vocaland dance -onall the classics.
Thereare acouple speakers of interest as well, one of them on Sunday at theLibrary whereCarol Cram will talk abouther new bookwhichfocuses on the difficult butimportanttopic of medical assistancein dying. On Monday Charles McNeill will speaktothe Rotary Club (everyoneiswelcome) on his recentworkabroadtoaddressclimatechange - includingameeting with Pope Francis. While it canfeellikeanoverwhelmingtopic at times, Charles is averyradiantspeakerwho issureto convince you that the continuedefforts to heal ourplanet areindeed worth it
The futureofhousing on Bowenis also setfor severalimportantdevelopments over the nextfew weeks, including anannouncement on the daythis papercomesout (more onthat soon). Council will decide on Bill 35 on Monday (owner residence requirementto operateashort-term rental)and Snug Cove Houseisbackinthe news too. So payclose attention to yourlocal civics developments!
-AlexKurial, Editor#102–495 BowenTrunk Road, POBox 130, BowenIslandBC,V0N 1G0
Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com
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To the Editor,
In light of recent criticism leveled by the newly named Conservative Candidate in our riding of my work as your Member of Parliament, I’d like to correct the record and share some notable results achieved in our riding over the past 4.5 years since I’ve had the honour of serving as your representative:
1) Funding over 1,000 new affordable housing units in every region of our riding and streamlining the housing development process by working directly with municipalities.
2) Investing record levels in infrastructure across our riding, including $4.3 million for the new Bowen Island Community Centre and $841,000 to improve Bowen Island’s drinking water system.
3) Introducing affordable childcare and creating almost 550 $10/day spaces in our communities and cutting fees in half across the board.
4) Policies that have cut the national poverty rate in half from 2015, including local projects that feed vulnerable seniors.
5) The largest recovery package in Canadian history for any species to restore wild Pacific salmon
6) Launching the $1 billion Nature Agreement with BC and First Nations to protect 30 per cent of BC’s nature by 2030, prioritizing the preservation of our remaining Old Growth Forests, as per my motion M-83 And the passage of historic legislation I championed to establish the right of Canadians to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
There’s something smelly floating around in the Cove.
Yes, I’m talking about the idea that the rest of the island’s taxpayers should have to pay for the ongoing Snug Cove Sewer System saga. As the argument goes, Cove businesses and apartments provide a benefit to the rest of the island, so we should all have to chip in.
By that logic, why stop at sewage? Should we also have to pay for the Cove’s electricity
7) Rollout of the first serious climate plan in Canada’s history, that has reduced emissions more than any G-7 country since I was first elected, and driven local economic growth, particularly in the clean tech hub of Squamish.
8) Working with our business sector to ensure they had the support to get through the pandemic, allowing our hardest-hit sectors like tourism to exceed pre-pandemic business.
I’ve always put our communities first, even when it meant challenging my party’s policies, including on the climate, electoral reform, and foreign affairs. That’s real representation.
In contrast, the Conservative Party deals in slogans, not real solutions. Just ask Mr. Roy, how will the Conservative Party axe the provincial BC carbon tax?
That’s why the Conservatives under Harper never built any affordable housing. Instead of supporting families, they were sending cheques to millionaires. Their environmental program was gutting environmental law and muzzling scientists. Climate action was denying its existence to maximize fossil fuel extraction. And their record was higher taxes on small businesses, higher taxes on the middle class, and higher unemployment.
While the Conservatives and Mr. Roy are focused on empty slogans, I’ll stay laser-focused on real solutions. This includes building more affordable homes, tackling cost of living, improving transportation, growing our economy, and building a healthier future.
Our community faces an important choice in the next election, and I look forward to an honest debate based on facts.
- MP Patrick Weilerand water? Perhaps we should also be taxed to subsidize Cove payroll, mortgage, and other expenses?
How did the Snug Cove Sewer system end up broke? Its users didn’t fund an adequate reserve, only the bare minimum operating costs. Back in December 2015, the Snug Cove Sewer Local Advisory Committee led by owners of some Cove businesses voted for an obviously inadequate five year financial plan in which annual contributions to reserves were less than $13,000 per year, for the entire system. That’s less than $150/year per household.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
(1956-2024)
After an extraordinaryand all too short life, Dawn passed away peacefully March 15, 2024, at Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, surrounded by her loving family.
She was the much-devotedwife to Carl for 40 years and the adoring mother to Angela (Brendan Robertson) of Bowen Island, James and Caroline of Vancouver. She is survived by her mother,Doris Siegel of Pembroke, and her mother-in-law, Glenda Saunders of North Vancouver,her dear sisters Karen Nelson (Paul) of Ottawa and Joanne Instance (Bill) of Pembroke, and her brothers-in law, René Saunders of Coquitlam and Peter and Karen Saunders of North Vancouver.Dawnwas adevoted and caring aunt to Mark (Amanda Eldridge), Matthew and Meredith Nelson, MaryEllen Schroeder (Jordan Connors) and Allison Schroeder,aswell as Nikolas, Bryce and Nolan Saunders. She was also aspecial greataunt to Hazel Nelson and Jaydan Connors.
Dawn was born to Vic and Doris Siegel in Pembroke, Ontario where she grew up excelling academically and athletically.She was part of the first graduating class at Fellowes High School. She went on to studyphysiotherapy at Queen’sUniversity, graduating in 1978. While at Queen’s, Dawn and Carl met and went on to maintain valued and lifelong friendships with manyQueen’salumni.
She was passionate about her chosen profession and was active in the profession herentire life as an owner of Hollyburn Physiotherapy in West Vancouver.She was recognized as amentor,teacher and leader in her professional organization. Dawn had manyother passions including skiing, golfing, gardening, singing with the Bach andEspiritu choirs for over 35 years, playing tennis competitively at the North Shore Winter Club, and boating in Indian Arm and SproatLake. She was afaithful member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where she participated in manyofthe church’sactivities. Sheenthusiastically volunteered for several charities including the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Dawn embraced life to the fullest: travelling, prioritizing family time, taking on new challenges, and always attending to those around her.Sadly,her life was cut short by herdiagnosis of endometrial cancer which she faced with patience, dignity and grace. Herfamily wishes to thank the teams at the BC Cancer Agencyand Lions Gate Hospital Acute and Palliative Care Units, as well as the North Shore Home Care Support Services for the exceptional care Dawn received throughout her illness. Thank you also to the manyfriends and loved ones who supported the Saunders family with food, messages and love.
In lieu of flowersand in gratefulness for Dawn’slife, donations may be made to either theCanadian Cancer Society or theHeart andStroke Foundation.
A celebration of Dawn’sextraordinarylife will take place at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Saturday,March 30th at 1:30PM.
Please honour Dawn’slegacybyembracing all thatlife has to offer and holding close your family and loved ones.
Flaring. Woodfibre saysits “harmless”
You mighthave heard about it, you might not, but recently the medical journal Science published thearticle “Total organic carbon measurements reveal major gaps in petrochemical emissions reporting [Alberta Canada]”. Researchers from Environment andClimate Change Canada, and Yale University found that the emissions levels to be 20 to 64 times higher than was reported by the Alberta oil and gas industry.
You can say what you like, but thisis not “estimates being alittle off”. This is underreporting of alevel that can only be understood as deceit by theoil and gas industry.
Of course, this underreporting isnot new. We have seen similar underreporting of emissions from methaneleaking frackingwells.Wells that wouldalso supply the localfossil fuel project under construction: Woodfibre LNG. Although the company didn’t include scope3 emissionsinits 2023 “pathway to net-zero”, it mentioned it would work to decrease these up- and downstreamemissions. But how can you when thedata is unreliable? That’s probably why we haven’t seen any plans.
All the while, Woodfibre LNG pigheadedly continues with the construction ofits
combined fossil fuel processing and LNG export facility. With that, planned flaring during operationshas come into focus. Flaring is the burning of methane(natural gas) to lower pressure or to clear asystem in case of maintenance, emergency, or tests.
Toget abetter understanding of the potential harm of this planned flaring at Woodfibre LNGfor surroundingcommunities, VancouverCoastalHealth andscientists from four universitieswill start astudy -the firstofits kindinCanada -this month. Onthe topicofflaring, thecompany hassaid that “It’s harmless.”
At Concerned Citizens Bowen, we are glad with this study, but that doesn’t mean that weaccept the building of Woodfibre LNG. Our position remains that we shouldn’t be building new fossil fuel projects in aclimate emergency. But somehow that’swhat’s happeninginCanada. It’s one of the reasons the country is consistently found in thebottom section of the Climate Change Performance Index (See https://ccpi.org/)
With ourattention elsewhere,distracted by the current conflicts in Europe, Africaand the Middle East, we might think climate change isonhold. On the contrary, with oceantemperatures rising to unprecedentedlevels, 2024 can becomethe
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
Howmuchshould they havebeenpaying?Ifthey had septicfields like the restof the island, then they would expect to replace their field andsystem every25years,ata cost of $25,000 to $50,000. That’s at leasta thousanda year,ontop of operating costs and routine maintenance
If SnugCoveSewer users hadbeensetting aside $1,000 per household per year since the system was built in 1999, the reserve wouldhave been flushwith cash, and they’d be able to continue flushing without abailout.
We, the taxpayersofBowen, have already been stuck with nearly $1 million of the cost for the$1.6 million“Phase I” upgrades,and now there’s another $1.2 millionneeded for the sewer outflow pipe,and that’s beforewe get to “Phase II”upgrades. If this is allowed tocontinue, we could easily see the rest of the Island’s ~1,000 households stuck with a $2 million or more bill anextra $2,000 per household on our taxes.
Igenerallyprefer to usethe bathroom at myown homefor serious business, but to be fair,over the years, whiledoingbusiness inthe Cove I’veprobably alsodone business of the#2kind once or twice at Cove bath-
year that changes everything
Driving down the need forbroaderand faster paced investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and localizing
rooms. Runningthe numbers, it seemsI am to be taxeda thousand bucks aplopfor use of Cove facilities
Justwhere is all the poop in theCove coming from, if it’s not from residents of the rest of the island? It’s from the people who live thereand from the businesses thathost the wavesofsummertourists. As noted in an articleabout a2005 upgrade of the plant, “biological overloading” peaksduring the high tourist season.
What’sthe alternative to agovernment bailout of the Cove Sewer system? Its users will have to pay for their ownutilities, with the cost spread over several years by way of aloanfrom the municipality. Userfees and connection fees will needtogoupto reflect true costs. This is stillabetterdeal than the rest of the island gets; the average Islander whose system fails getsstuck with abill for tens of thousands, potentially having to borrow at less favorableratesto pay for it
Yes, getting hitwithrepairs is unpleasant; yes, Cove businesses might have to adjust, just as businesses everywhere do whencosts rise.Sometimes reality stinksa bit.
-TravisBealseconomies is fargreater thanitwas in 2015.
So let’sfocusonjustthat.
-Anton vanWalraven
Sunday
What aglorious dayitwas this past Saturday for awinter/springhands-on pruningworkshop organized by Bowen’s Low HangingFruit initiative.
Matthew Ramsay,professional biologistguidedusinthe three-hour workshop.Alastair Johnstone,owner
of the BowenCider Househosted the workshop at hisapple orchard and assisted in thedemonstration. Tenfolks pruned-awayonthe warm sunnyday.Knowledge and fun was hadbyall.
Thanksfor the generousfunding ofNeighbourhood SmallGrantsand BowenIsland Food Resilience Society (BIFS)in helpingusput on this informativeevent.
BowenIslandgymnastClaraPatterson competed in the Provincial High School Gymnastics Championships in Prince George last month, representingKitsilano SecondarySchool.Clarafinished6th on bars, 7th on floor,14th onbeam,and 14th on vault.Overall she placed 10th out of 30 competitors in Level2Junior. Pattersonearnedher spot in Prince George by finishing 1st in bars,beam,and all-aroundatthe Vancouver Zone High School Gymnastics ChampionshipsinRichmondearlier in February(above)./Submitted photo
Kolla is an energetic working line German Shepherd who is loving her new lifeon Bowen Island! Though going to the vet used to make her alittle nervous she has quickly discovered that Bowen Veterinary Services isagreat place to be and is now eager andexcitedwhen she gets to stop in for atreatand cuddlefrom thestaff!
reception@bowenvet.com 604.947.9247
Mon-Fri 9-5
Closed Sat &Sun
There is a lot to do in order to fix Canada, according to Keith Roy, federal Conservative candidate for West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country.
“People are struggling in every single part of this riding in different ways, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” he said.
Roy, a Whistler resident who grew up on the Sunshine Coast, was announced as the party’s candidate on Saturday, March 2.
Speaking with Pique, the longtime real-estate agent said the factors that motivated him to run have only grown stronger in the six months since he announced his intentions.
“People that were traditionally not Conservative voters have realized that the current NDP/Liberal program does not produce the results that Canada wants it’s not working, your eyes aren’t lying to you,” he said.
“Things are bad in Canada, and [Pierre Poilievre] has a plan to make that better, and I want to be part of that team to help him do that.”
In seeking the party’s nomination, Roy’s platform focused on “Five C’s”: Common sense, climate, crime, the carbon tax, and congestion and he said those priorities still hold true as he takes his message to a wider audience, starting with removing the federal carbon tax.
“The quickest way to provide economic relief to families in our riding is to stop taking money from them in the first place,” he said.
He described “congestion” as “the uniting feature of our riding,” citing insufficient road capacity and ferry delays in West Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, and up Highway 99 and took aim at federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault
for saying the government would “stop investing in new road infrastructure” earlier this year.
“This is not a riding that lends itself to an elimination of road infrastructure,” Roy said. “Could we improve transit infrastructure? Yes, but that doesn’t mean that we stop building and maintaining roads.”
Roy said he understands the riding is well-versed in environmental politics and the Conservatives can deliver.
“I don’t accept the premise that the Conservative Party is not for the environment the Conservative Party is about conservation, it is about technology, it is about preserving the greatness of Canada... but that doesn’t mean we should stop resource development in Canada,” he said.
Speaking to crime, he said he wants to help ensure Canadians feel safe in their own communities, saying “all the metrics in Canada are out of whack” on that front.
Finally, on the “common sense” principle, Roy said the current government is too often out of step with what the community wants in leadership.
“Our party is offering a uniting vision to put Canada towards a common cause where people can live safe, affordable lives in nice communities, with high-quality health-care and great education funded through strong economic growth and natural resource development,” he said.
With his background in real estate, Roy said he has a lot of experience with and knowledge of what Canadians are dealing with at home.
“I have spent my life in other people’s houses asking them to trust me to help them make one of the biggest decisions of their life. And that’s what I’m doing as a candidate,” he said. “I am going to meet with people at their doorstep, and I’m going to ask them to trust me, so when they make the decision to vote, they give me the opportunity to be their voice and
represent them.”
Roy is going up against two-term incumbent Liberal MP, Patrick Weiler, who has a background in law and last won the riding with 33.9 per cent of all votes cast in the 2021 election (against 30 per cent for the Conservative candidate).
Roy was unequivocal that Weiler has achieved “no results” during his time as MP.
“People are struggling, people who you never would have thought would have
struggled are struggling in Canada,” he said. “That’s the Liberal record, and I don’t hear [Patrick Weiler] speaking against his party on the issues that matter to people in this riding.”
Roy said he believes that while the next election could be as far as 18 months away, “Canada needs an election sooner rather than later, because the longer we go, the more damage they do.”
The next federal election must be held on or before Oct. 20, 2025.
Purifics says they’llhave senior staff on-site for commissioning oncethe skid returns to Bowen.
Theprocesswilltake aroundtwo months, which wouldplace the estimate forcompletion in mid-May. That date wouldmark three yearssince the plantwas originally scheduledtobeupand running
Work continuesonthe Community Centrewith the goal of havingitoperational for this summer.
Edwards explained there was significant progress happening inside the building including the installation of flooring. But he noteditwas frustrating thatwork on the roof was not complete. The manufacturer is currently investigating whether any of the roofing materials were damaged during exposure to recent weather events, including this month’s heavy snowfall.
The hopeiscurrentlyfor aMay opening, but Edwards saiditcouldtake several weeks forBCHydro to fully energizethe building, which wouldpushthisdate into June
BowenIslandUnitedChurch
Many of you knew Ryan Howatt.Hewas awellknown face in the Cove for over adecade. Sadly, his short life ended on March 2.
Ryan wasoften foundatBowenIsland United Church helping us with snow shovelling or raking.Frequently, Ryan would wander downtothe churchyard to sitand visit withwhoever came by
On Saturday, March 23 at 11 am we will
have aservice forRyanatBowen Island United Church, 1122 Miller Road. There will be music, storytellingand some light refreshmentsinCollins Hall afterour time of remembering in the church.
If you wouldlike to make adonation in Ryan’s name to the Food Bank, you cando so at bowenislandfoodbank@gmail.com
PleasejoinustorememberRyanand to give hima send offfrom the Community. Ryan had many struggles in hisshort life and now, he is resting in peace.Wewon’t forget you Ryan.
Saturday, March 23
SKY Mahjong
At the Senior’s Cottage on Cardena Drive from 1 to 3:30 pm RVSP info@skyonbowenisland.ca to reserve a seat at the table Beginners welcome!
Saturday, March 23
Small Town Pride: Film & Discussion at the Library
With Leah Gregg. Join us at 1 pm for this documentary on the joys and challenges of being queer in a small town, then stay for a discussion led by Leah Gregg at 2 pm on “What can Bowen Island do to better support our LGBTQ2S+ community?” and “What could a community Pride event look like on Bowen Island?” Find out more at bipl.ca/movies
Saturday, March 23
Karaoke at the Legion
Join Billie Behm at the Legion to sing all your favourite tunes! No cover, ages 19+. Members & guests welcome, starts at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 24
Book Donation Day at the Library
10 am until volunteers’ bins are full (no later than 12 pm). Please bring good conditioned books to the Library Annex.
Sunday, March 24
SKY Hangouts
Drop in at the Cottage on Cardena: we will be offering a warm place to stop in for a coffee, tea and a treat while visiting with fellow seniors or friends From 1 to 2:30 pm. Hangouts also taking place Tuesday, March 26 and Friday, March 29, all at same time and place.
Sunday, March 24
Author Talk at the Library
With Carol Cram on her book The Many Faces of MAID:
What to Expect When Someone You Know Chooses Medical Assistance in Dying. Carol will talk about compiling the stories of 17 people, including herself, who supported a loved one through MAID. Reverend Lorraine Ashdown will join Carol to offer her perspective. 1:30 pm bipl.ca/author
Monday, March 25
SKY Stretch & Strength
At Bowen Court from 9 to 9:45 am, everyone 55+ welcome No guest speakers during March!
Monday, March 25
Rotary Speaker Series
Charles McNeill, senior adviser to UNDP on Forests and Climate, will be the Rotary speaker at 7:30 pm at Artisan Eats, the title of his talk being “Report on the recent Climate Conference in Dubai (COP28) and on last week’s Conference at the Vatican with Pope Francis on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge” Everyone is welcome to join the Rotary Club for this interesting and apposite presentation.
Tuesday, March 26
SKY Musical Movement
Free for 55+ at Bowen Court with Marc Gawthrop playing on piano. Runs from 10 to 11 am
Tuesday, March 26
Life & Career Services at the Library
Drop in to see an Community Integration Service specialist and/or a WorkBC Career Advisor from 11 am to 2 pm Community Integration specialists help people access financial, housing, and health supports, government programs, disability assistance, and more. The Career Advisor helps with resumes, cover letters, interviewing, job searches, job market and education advice. bipl.ca/workbc & bipl.ca/cis
Wednesday, March 27 & Friday, March 29
SKY Walks
Meeting at Quarry Park for a walk to Headwaters, at 10:30
Friday,
am Friday walk at same time and place
Thursday, March 28
Movie Night at the Library
This month’s movie is Rockfield (2020), a music documentary about Rockfield Studios, a farm and live-in recording studio in Wales, where some of the greatest bands and musicians of our time have recorded some of their biggest hit records Drop in, 90 minutes Rated 14A 6 pm start.
Tuesday, April 2
Spring Book Club
How To Know a Person by David Brooks All around us are people who feel invisible, unseen, misunderstood. Brooks sets out to help us do better, posing questions that are essential for all if you want to know a person. Book club meets at 6 pm. Register online www.sweatthetechniquestudio.com Book is available for purchase in studio
WEDNESDAYS
Bowen Bridge
1:30 to 4:30 pm at Bowen Court. Fee $5 per person per session. Book by email (bowcates04@gmail.com) no later than 6 pm on Monday. Also email for more information.
Meditation Evenings
Every Wednesday night from 7 to 8 pm. Please contact John at 604-506-7197 for more details
FRIDAYS
Legion Dinners
Dinners held every Friday except for long weekends $13 for members and $15 for non-members Doors open at 5:30 pm, with dinner at 6:30 pm. Tickets available for Legion members on Thursdays (purchase at Legion) and at the doors on Friday if tickets remaining.
SUNDAYS
Open Mic Night at Doc’s
Come down to Doc Morgan’s and show off your musical talents! All instruments & singing styles welcome 5 to 8 pm
