Much behind the scenes work took place to improve 9-1-1 communications on the Coast in 2014, Mory Kapustianyk of Planetworks Consulting told Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors on Jan. 15.
The upgrades had to do with the radio component of the emergency system, Kapustianyk said, noting the Coast relies on radio to transmit information from a station in Nanaimo to fire departments on the Coast.
Upgrades include allowing two-way radio communication and improving paging coverage for fire department volunteers in the Chaster House area.
More must be done in the future to upgrade radio towers, Kapustianyk said, noting several towers on the Coast were found to be nonconforming to CSA standards.
“It’s not unusual, because when these towers were put in, the CSA standard didn’t even exist,” Kapustianyk said.
In order to be brought up to structural integrity standards, several of the towers will have to be replaced, he noted.
He urged the SCRD to look at budgeting for replacement of four towers in Gibsons, Chapman Creek, Roberts Creek and Pender Harbour.
“Gibsons and Chapman Creek are high priority because of the current state they’re in and the type of loading they have on them right now,” Kapustianyk said.
The cost to replace one tower is estimated at about $350,000.
A budget proposal to tackle the issue is expected to come to round one of budget discussions in February.
Beach volleyball courts
The SCRD board will consider an application to build four new beach volleyball courts at Shirley Macey Park during round one budget deliberations.
Birgit Breuer of SC Spirit of Excellence came forward with the proposal at the Jan. 15 community services meeting, saying the courts would be well used by the large contingent of players in Gibsons and surrounding area.
Currently there are only beach volleyball courts available in Sechelt, which were sponsored by the Sunshine Coast-Sechelt Rotary Club.
Breuer said the Gibsons Rotary Club has shown interest in helping construct the courts at Shirley Macey.
“We would look at a total of $14,000 from Rotary with the potential of the SCRD looking at hopefully outdoor showers and lighting and possibly portable bleachers,” Breuer said.
When asked about ongoing maintenance of the courts, Breuer said volunteers are already in place to maintain the area with occasional raking.
Directors seemed intrigued by the idea and asked for a report on the option from staff to come forward to round one budget discussions.
