Contract talks Province offers 10-year framework for B.C. teachers. PAGE 20 Clips win Junior A hockey team beats divisional foe from Port Alberni. PAGE 21 Healthy You Second part of feature offers tips on avoiding cold and flu. PAGE 3
Power down PAGE 14
OPTOMETRIST
(Ind dependent d Doctor off Optometry))
BOOK YOUR APPOIN APPO INTM TMEN ENTT TODAY!
I S ION S ONE HOUR OPTICAL
250-390-2444 www.visionsoptical.com
www.nanaimobulletin.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013
VOL. 24, NO. 115
NANAIMO
Bat Battle tt fofor the ttle Boat Basin Nanaimo anaimo imoo Po P rtt Autho Port Aut Authority Au ty rrespo Authori res re resp esponds esponds eespo too concerns er abo abbout a marina lease agreement agre reement with a priva vate ate comp company, pany,y, while i e opponents opp pp ts t re remain rem remaaiin sske skep kepptical tical BY NIOMI PEARSON I THE N EWS BULLE E TII N
N
anaimo Port Authority’s CEO and president Bernie Dumas cited a changing business model and financial loss as contributing factors behind a 30-year lease agreement with Pacific Northwest Marina Group to redevelop the harbour. But the agreement, which has raised the ire of several stakeholder groups in Nanaimo, ensures the marina is being developed for the community without a dime out of the taxpayer’s pocketbook, he said. The Nanaimo Port Authority is the federal agent responsible for the administration of the harbour, waters and foreshore of Georgia Strait in an area adjacent to Nanaimo. It operates as a small business and as such, does not receive subsidies from the government. Dumas said the marina has been losing
money for several years – approximately $230,000 in 2010 and another $180,000 in 2011 – facilitating the need for change. For some time, the port authority has voluntarily subsidized the commercial fishing fleet, which has been slowly eroding, Dumas said. “Back in the late ’90s, there were 50-60 commercial fishing boats in the marina. As of this week, there’s 17,” he said. Based on their new business model, and due to pressure from other marina occupants to be fair, the port authority will no longer be offering those subsidies. “The Port of Nanaimo is the gateway for cargo and freight … it was created as one of the 18 port authorities across Canada to assist companies, exporters and importers, to move their goods, and the port is really focusing on that aspect
and that will produce, hopefully, as we increase the volume of business, new opportunities, employment, relocating companies to Nanaimo to manufacture goods,” Dumas said. “We’re focusing our efforts for the future on those activities.” Those efforts, along with PNMG’s proposal, fall in line with the port’s Path 2025 strategic plan, which calls for commercial and transportation upgrades and modernization over the next decade, Dumas said. Pacific Northwest Marina Group has said its $9-million investment into the downtown marina will provide vital upgrades to the aging 4.5-hectare marina, which would include replacing creosote piling with steel piles and wood floats with concrete finger slips, a second walkway on the water and a venue for seasonal events.
The company has stated that the change will increase public and recreational boater access, and up moorage capacity by 40 per cent. “It’s going to be brand new and very high tech and environmentally friendly,” Dumas said. “There’s going to be a stronger economic impact because there’s going to be more activity in that area … That means there’s going to be more opportunities.” Those words hold little assurance for Michelle Corfield, spokeswoman of a Nanaimo coalition of citizens concerned about privatization of the harbour. The coalition has been supported by local residents and marina stakeholders such as commercial fishermen, Protection Island residents and Snuneymuxw First Nation members. ◆ See ‘COALITION’ /5
w w w. l a i rd w h e a t o n . c o m NEW & PRE-OWNED
SHOP FROM HOME!
• One Touch Shopping • Instant Approvals • We Deliver!