As of May 6, the Town of Gibsons has agreed to the transfer of ownership of the Gibsons Marina to Klaus Fuerniss, who purchased the property last January.
“What matters most to Council is that the marina continue to serve public needs as it does today,” Mayor Wayne Rowe stated in a press release. “That is why we will be working with the new owners to establish an advisory body for the purpose of seeking input on suggested improvements for the operation, maintenance and marketing of the Gibsons Marina.”
There will be no immediate changes to the marina, but the Outriggers Canoe Clubs have been allocated a little over 650 square metres for their use, and, according to the release, Shoal Bay Properties’ water access rights will be addressed.
Budget gets final approval
A residential tax increase of just over six per cent has been approved for the 2015 Town budget. So has a new $154 parcel tax to cover the upgrades done on the Gibsons water system after last summer’s E.coli outbreak.
The Town is on track to return to unchlorinated water at the end of this month. However, should something like the E.coli outbreak occur again, the Town is now better prepared to deal with the problem, according to director of engineering Dave Newman.
Cell tower
Kiersten Enenmark, director of municipal affairs and Matthew McDonagh, municipal affairs specialist — both from the Standard Land Company — presented committee of the whole with their plan for a new Rogers telecommunications tower in Gibsons.
The proposed site is at 700 Payne Rd. where the tower is far enough away from residential areas to fall below the safety requirements of Health Canada under safety code six, but close enough to provide improved wireless service.
The tower had been proposed to council previously, but was rejected last time due to its location.
“We appreciate the effort you’ve gone to find a location that, hopefully, will be more acceptable to the community,” Rowe said in the council meeting. “It wasn’t an easy decision for us the last time, so I’m hoping that we can make something work for this one.”
SeaCav
The 47th annual Sea Cavalcade festival returns to Gibsons this summer on July 25 and 26. This year’s theme is The World Meets by the Sea. It will feature dancers from around the world performing traditional dances from their respective cultures.
Festival chair Conchita Harding informed council on May 5 that the festival has a severe lack of volunteers.
