As these remarkable Olympics draw to a close, I, along with so many, look with wonder at our collective outpourings of affection and pride for Canada and for what it means to be Canadian. This marvel began for many islanders with our astonishing 6AM celebration of the Torch Relay two days before the opening ceremonies. Who knew so many of us cared? Thank you to Murray Atherton, Jacqueline Massey, Christine Walker, Chris Buchanan and your committee, for the Olympic spirit that you brought to Bowen. You taught us something about ourselves that was a surprise and a delight. Very, very, very well done.
At our February 22 meeting council meeting, Council dealt with two issues that I would like to highlight in this Mayor’s Report: the National Park initiative for Bowen Island, and the Night Sky bylaw.
In November, Parks Canada initiated an assessment of the potential for a National Park on specific lands on Bowen. Such lands could include provincial crown lands, Crippen Regional Park, other parks, and private lands that might be acquired through purchase. Recently, we received and reviewed for technical accuracy, a draft copy of this assessment report. Based on this report, Parks Canada will decide whether or not to proceed with consideration of a National Park on Bowen Island.
To clarify Council’s position to the Bowen public, Parks Canada, and senior governments, we passed a motion unanimously that Council endorse in principle the concept of a National Park on Bowen Island. Should Parks Canada decide to proceed, we will work with them to conduct a thorough consultation with islanders and other stakeholders. I would like to thank the hardworking members of our National Park Committee, councillors Nerys Poole and Doug Hooper, and our advisor Mel Turner, for ensuring effective collaboration with Parks Canada on this initiative.
On Monday night, Council gave first reading to a Night Sky Bylaw and endorsed a timeline for its review and consideration. This timeline provides for a construction schedule for fencing and lighting of the artificial turf field, and paving of the basketball court that meets a deadline imposed by a federal grant. At council’s direction, staff has requested from the federal government an extension to September 1 for completion of works at the artificial turf field.
The proposed Night Sky bylaw applies to municipal and institutional facilities, but not private residences. This means lighting on municipal roads, wharves and facilities, as well as outside lighting at schools, sports fields, churches, and other places of public assembly. After our strategic planning in April, Council will evaluate the priority of an expanded Night Sky bylaw for residences within the municipal work plan. The draft Night Sky Bylaw is available on the BIM website and we invite public comment on the bylaw until March 5th. A public information meeting on the Night Sky Bylaw will be held on Wednesday March 3 from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. at Municipal Hall and we invite the public to attend. Municipal staff and an electrical engineer will be available to explain the bylaw, its technical aspects, and answer questions from the public. Council will consider modifications to the bylaw based on these public comments.
I want to thank staff for preparing a plan that supports Council’s resolution for passage of a Night Sky bylaw prior to installation of lighting on the turf field, while still endeavouring to meet the implementation requirements of our federal grant for improvements at the artificial turf field.
