Small craft harbours from Gibsons to Lund are set for some fixing up after an announcement of close to $3.8 million in funds from the federal government.
John Weston, member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, was in the riding for Sea Cavalcade and made the announcement from the gazebo in Gibsons Harbour Saturday, July 25.
Weston said the small craft harbour program funds are aimed at creating jobs and stimulating local economies during the recession with refurbished harbours and the economic windfalls they bring, especially from the fishing industry.
"The conservative government understands that the commercial fishery in BritishColumbia is going to play a major part in this economic recovery," he said."But like other industries in other areas, the fishing industry needs every opportunity to succeed, and that's why a network of safe, well-functioning fishing harbours is so important. Small craft harbours are crucial to the fishing industry."
Weston said those working in the fishing industry are not the only ones who will benefit.
"Recreational boaters, tourists and other users rely on access to these facilities in order to make their living or to spend money in our communities," he said.
Weston did not have exact totals or details on the scheduled upgrades and maintenance, but he was able to lay out what some of the projects would be.
Included in the harbours set for repairs are Egmont, Hospital Bay, Porpoise Bay, Saltery Bay, Gibsons, Madeira Park, Lund and Powell River south.
Egmont will have upgrades and electrical system repairs on its docks. Hospital Bay will have harbour repairs and improved shore access and float work. Porpoise Bay, in partnership with the harbour authority and the District of Sechelt, will get needed electrical system repairs. Saltery Bay will receive harbour repairs and upgrades to mooring systems while Gibsons Harbour is scheduled for wharf and harbour repairs, and next year, wave protection and breakwaters.
Funding for the projects comes from the $40-billion Economic Action Plan set up by the Canadian government to combat the recession.Weston praised harbour authority volunteers including Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority president Carol Doyle. Doyle and other harbour authority leaders from around the province keenly lobbied governments for increased funding for small craft harbour maintenance.
"We've just been trying to contact as many people as we could to point out to them that any improvement to our harbour or any other harbour is a boost to the local economy," Doyle said. "It worked. We were making connections and people were listening."
Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk said the safety improvements come at the right time and are a good base to move forward with future plans for the harbour.
"It was needed. We have a slowly deteriorating facility, and I just appreciate the fact that the government recognized it and came to do the repairs that are going to be required before any expansion could take place," he said.
Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster said an upgraded electrical system at the Porpoise Bay harbour will make it easier to enhance the harbour by creating new slips.
Sunshine Coast Regional District board chair Donna Shugar said even though none of the harbours in question belongs to the SCRD, residents will still benefit from the increased economic activity that comes with increased use of harbours.
