Dear Editor,
A group of boaters asked the municipality to provide an access to water using the existing boat ramp at Tunstall Bay.
The repair/improvement would be minimal and was initially approved but here is how Bowen Island works (or does not). The Manager of Development and Operations in his report to the municipality stated that different groups with different views had put forward their concerns. So here comes the list: need for a vehicle turn-around, need for a parking for car/truck and boat trailer, beach erosion and beach access improvements, access for persons with disabilities, Explosive Creek improvements, need for a boat school location, a boat rack location and a boat house location, construction timing (not during peak season), moorage problems, power boat and sail boat conflicts, aesthetics, pedestrian/vehicle interface, walking path for pedestrians and not the least, the Capital cost and maintenance. The result: nothing was done!
Surprise? Not for Bowen Island!
If there is a forest fire in the middle of the island, an earthquake or any other type of natural disasters, there is noboat access or exit on the west side of the island. Are we waiting for a loss of life to provide a second ramp to Bowen Island?
A simple repair of the existing boat ramp was all that was asked!
Denise Rankin
