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Board gives first reading to bylaw amendments for PODS

Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors gave unanimous first reading to two bylaw amendments that could allow the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) to move ahead with construction in the Irvines Landing neighbourhood in Pender H
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An exterior rendering of the Pender Ocean Discovery Station’s entrance. Construction is expected to begin in late 2019.

Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors gave unanimous first reading to two bylaw amendments that could allow the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) to move ahead with construction in the Irvines Landing neighbourhood in Pender Harbour.

“It’s very good to know the regional district is on board with us, so it’s a big step forward,” said PODS executive director Michael Jackson.

Combined, the two amendments will make way for the $20-million project’s proposed aquarium, auditorium, office, laboratory, diving facilities, restaurant and pub, gift shop, caretakers residence and boat ramp.

The amendments allow the maximum building height of the PODS facility to be 13 metres and at least 51 off-street parking spaces would be created.

The PODS development was introduced to the board in October and referred to the Egmont/Pender Harbour Advisory Planning Commission for feedback. According to the APC meeting minutes, the committee “generally supports the development, but has concerns over financial viability.”

Jackson said for the past 18 months his team has been analyzing all potential revenue streams and expenses. “The prospects look pretty good for PODs, not only in terms of viability but also in terms of sustainability.” Conferences and corporate retreats, guided nature tours, vacation packages and other revenue streams are expected to offset costs of research and monitoring, as well as payroll. The project is expected to employ 21 year-round staff.

The PODS team is also tackling issues related to traffic and water. According to the Jan. 10 SCRD staff report, “further technical details, notably on transportation management and water and waste water systems are required before moving forward to more in-depth review of the project.”

Jackson said a consultant found “there is no problem” with traffic, because flows will be spread throughout the year, but they will also be consulting with the Ministry of Transportation. They also plan to mitigate potential problems with parking by using boats to shuttle people into the area and by building underground parking. They are also looking at park-and-ride systems in other areas of Pender Harbour, and an electric shuttle service. 

The development will be installing its own wastewater treatment facility, which Jackson said they will be integrating as a display.

“You can actually plant things in the effluent and grow them, so we are thinking about giving flowers away from the effluent of what is produced at PODS,” said Jackson.

The Garden Bay water system is expected to supply the facility with drinking water.

Jackson said shovels could start digging by late 2019 and that construction will be phased out over a period of two years, with the research and monitoring programs taking priority. They have also applied for government funding to create an “environmental protection unit,” in case of oil spills or other accidents in the harbour and Jackson said they are considering powering PODS with tidal energy in an effort to attain net zero energy.

Two public information sessions have been scheduled because of “widespread and local interest in this development,” according to the SCRD staff report. One will be held in Irvines Landing on Jan. 26 for immediate neighbours and another will be held the following Saturday in Madeira Park for the wider community.

A major fundraising campaign will be launched following the permitting process to ensure “the funders have the confidence in us to move forward,” said Jackson.

“It may seem to be a bit quiet for a lot of people but we’ve been very busy in the background,” he said. “It’s extraordinary how many people have volunteered to help us and we are very, very grateful to the people of the Sunshine Coast.”