THURSDAY DECEMBER 6, 2018 VOL. 44, NO. 47
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
What was happening on Bowen 10, 25 and 40 years ago?
IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
The food bank has been a Bowen staple for the past 22 years.
MINCE PIES ANYONE?
We have the Snug’s delectable recipe just in time for holiday potlucks.
Launched Second float home lands down at USSC Marina
BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
The Lady Rose has landed. A crane lowered the Union Steamship Company Marina’s second float home, intended to address Bowen’s housing shortage, into the water Friday morning. To be designated affordable housing, the building will be occupied, at least seasonally, by Doc Morgan’s and USSC employees. There is the potential for non-employees to live there in the off seasons. The duplex isn’t yet finished on the inside but will feature a living area, kitchenette and bathroom. Two fourplexes are also planned. The buildings, built on foam pontoons rather than concrete, are all named for old Union Steamships. The Lady Rose’s predecessor, which was lowered into the water back in June, is called Defiance because it’s not technically permitted, explained USSC’s owner, Rondy Dike. The rezoning for the marina is underway, having just passed first reading on November 13. The current land use zoning allows for three floating houses in the Marina. Dike is asking to be allowed six float houses with a total of sixteen units. Each unit will have aerobic threestage septic systems, called Go Greens. They will also be backed up to the Cove sewer system. The next home is expected to touch down in the spring. With files from Marcus Hondro
Santa Claus trades in his reindeer for a boat Saturday evening during Light Up Bowen. See p. 6 for more pictures. Photo: Bronwyn Beairsto
Shovel ready: community centre issued a building permit BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
Ducking out between rain showers, Mayor Gary Ander stands on the side of Trunk Road, just below the community school, wearing a wide grin. The chair of the Community Centre steering committee is clutching a laminated piece of yellow paper –a building permit – and armful of rolled up building plans. This is the closest the community centre has come to realization after
decades of failed attempts. “Having a building permit strengthens the application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure program by demonstrating that the project is ‘shovel ready,’” reads a press release from the municipality. The price tag of the new building is an anticipated $14.5 million, of which $750,000 has already been spent on getting the project this far in its design. “The grant application must also demonstrate community support, such as donations, pledges and
letters of support,” reads the press release. The infrastructure grant could cover up to 73 per cent of the cost of building the community centre and performing arts space, more than eight million dollars. The municipal portion of the project ($2.2 million) isn’t eligible for the grant, however, the rent the municipality pays for its current offices and programming space would go toward the new edifice. “With a building permit in hand, fulfilling the capital budget remains
the last requirement before building can begin,” reads the press release. With funding approval, the community centre could open as early as 2021. The project isn’t without controversy. As an election issue, community members commented on the number of capital projects Bowen has on the go, including a potential new fire hall on lot three and the new Cove Bay Water Treatment Plant by Grafton Lake. The multi-million dollar cost came up more than once.