The District of Sechelt wants to improve the Trail Bay foreshore, but they need the public's input on how best to do it at an upcoming workshop planned for March 29.
Manager of sustainability and special projects Emanuel Machado said the District completed an assessment of the Trail Bay foreshore in late 2010 that showed the need for some action.
"There certainly are issues. It's a combination of regular damage from storms, which seems to be increasing. And based on an assessment that we've done, that identified the need to take some action there," Machado said.
The specific details of what is needed and the state of the foreshore will be discussed at the upcoming public workshop on March 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt.
Workshop attendees will hear a presentation before dividing into small groups to "discuss opportunities and issues related to the future of Sechelt's downtown Trail Bay waterfront."
Machado notes the event isn't meant to discuss commercial uses of the waterfront strip: "It's very much dealing with the infrastructure - it's not about the activities so much," he said.
Following the public workshop, the District will develop a Trail Bay foreshore plan.
"The objective of the process is to find community consensus on improvements to public lands along Trail Bay, including the shoreline park and trail, adjacent rock wall, beach area and rock outcrops," said Sechelt Mayor John Henderson.
For those who can't make it to the March 29 public workshop, the presentation and response form will be available on-line at www.sechelt.ca the following day. The District will accept responses for one week, and results will be published on the District website.
"We have taken a very sort of public focused approach in terms of not wanting to provide answers to the challenge but more so saying this is what we know and what does the community think of it and what type of solutions would you suggest?" Machado said.
The Trail Bay foreshore runs from the Trail Bay pier to Snickett Park in Sechelt.
