WHALE MURAL
A local artist has completed his largest project to date
2
TUFF’S NEW COP SHOP
Tofino’s $10 million police detachment moves ahead
5
Westerly News
TOFINO-UCLUELET
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
WesterlyNews.ca
$1.25 (including tax)
HOUSING CRISIS:
Seasonal vs affordable housing Tuff eyes consultant to fix summer housing woes Andrew bAiley
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Tofino will likely look to a consultant to help address its seasonal housing needs. The consultant, who will be tasked with investigating temporary shelter options for Tofino’s summer season, will be paid $10,000 from the district’s economic development reserve. During last week’s regular council meeting, district staff was directed to prepare a terms of reference for the position to present at Feb. 23’s meeting. Coun. Dorothy Baert brought the idea to council and explained it came from the Community Economic Development Advisory Committee (CDAC). She said she was bringing it forward as a councillor because the committee did not have enough members at their last meeting to make an official request to council. Baert said CDAC sees Tofino’s lack of seasonal housing as a threat to economic development. “It’s specific to employment and business retention and attraction,” she said. “Definitely there was a sense around the table that the people were committing their volunteer time to actually see some results.” She suggested the $10,000 consultant would work with local organizations, identify stakeholders and seek out funding opportunities for temporary seasonal housing options. “We’re looking for someone who can devote their full attention to the project for a short period of time,” she said. See CoNSULtANt page 11
ANDREW BAILEY Photo
The Oak Bay Marine Group has announced plans to shut down the Canadian Princess. The vessel will be removed from Ucluelet’s inner harbour and the resort’s onshore accommodation will be sold.
Canadian Princess leaving Ucluelet Company announces plans to remove vessel and sell resort Andrew bAiley
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Ucluelet’s Canadian Princess has been shut down and will be towed out of town. “Obviously it’s sad to see the Canadian Princess go, she’s been here since 1979. I spent many years myself working there,” Ucluelet mayor Dianne St. Jacques told the Westerly News. “It’s sad but change is something that’s a constant for all of us and we have to embrace it and move forward.” The 70-metre Ontario-built vessel was originally dubbed the
William J. Stewart and served as a hydrographic survey ship from 1932-1975. She was purchased by Bob Wright of the Oak Bay Marine Group (OBMG) in 1979 and towed from Victoria to Ucluelet where she was transformed into a resort, restaurant and lounge. “The investment that Bob Wright made in those days was big in the tourism side and really kicked off the tourism activity in the region,” St. Jacques said adding business has slowed since the resort’s heyday. See PRINCESS page 5