FRIDAY JAN. 25, 2013 VOL. 38, NO. 36
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Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Community effort
Fibre artists’ group creates a community quilt as fundraising project
Calling all playwrights
Tir-na-nOg invites islanders to participate in fifth playwright challenge
Biweekly pick-up
Non-organic garbage now collected every second week
Pre-sale to gauge demand for commuter water taxi English Bay Launch is planning to reinstate service with a fuel efficient vessel SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
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This winter, Josephine Lake froze over, providing a surface and opportunity for outdoor play and fun. More photos on page 12. Quentin Beck photo
A reason to stay another day SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
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owen Island has many assets, such as its natural beauty and cultural offerings, to attract day-trippers. But it doesn’t
offer enough to entice them to stay another day, believes Gaëtan Royer, who spoke at the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting on January 22. Royer is the manager of Metropolitan Planning,
Environment and Parks, Metro Vancouver and 20 members of the public came out to hear about his views. Royer started with a brief introduction about the work continued, PAGE 9
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fter a year-long hiatus from running a water taxi commuter service to the mainland, Mike Shannon of the English Bay Launch is ready to consider starting up again. This time, he is looking at using a fuel-efficient boat, the Bowen Belle, to ensure the run’s viability. But the service with a tentative start date of February 18 will depend on the number of bookings Shannon will get ahead of time. “We did a survey last week because we heard from a lot of people who say they miss the service,” Shannon said, explaining that he has received many emails stating that the water taxi had made commuting much easier and asking him whether he would consider operating it again. “What we’ve heard is that the water taxi plays a pretty important role and it even impacts property values,” he said. “We’ve had inquiries from people who are thinking about moving to Bowen but are working downtown and looking at
options of how to get to work.” When Shannon sent an informal survey out to past customers, several emails bounced back and he’s learned about people who have sold their homes and moved off island due to the difficulty of commuting. The 88 people who filled out the survey were asked where and when they would like to depart, how many days a week they would use the service, what they consider a reasonable price and whether they would be interested in a monthly pass. Based on the response, Shannon is planning a departure from Snug Cove to Coal Harbour at 6:30 a.m. and to Granville Island at 8 a.m. Returning to Bowen Island in the afternoon, the boat leaves Granville Island at 4:30 p.m. and Coal Harbour at 6 p.m. A one-way trip will cost $20, a return trip $35. For 10 round trips, Shannon plans to charge $300. A monthly pass that has unlimited use for an entire month is $500 and offers preferred seating. If people purchase three months in advance, Shannon offers them free rides from February 18 to March 1. continued, PAGE 2