COMMUNITY CENTRE REFERENDUM: the details
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inc. GST
THURSDAY, FEB. 21, 2019
BOWEN BEAT
VOL. 45, NO. 08
BIUndercurrent
See photos from a Valentine’s Day dance to remember. PAGE 7
BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
A meeting of fire and ice A SPECIAL MUNI MORSELS FOR A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
BRONWYN BEAIRSTO
Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com
The first meeting was cancelled because of a snowstorm. But, under a dusting of snow, Tuesday’s special (rescheduled) council meeting went ahead. “I know there’s a lot of emotion in the room, there’s some issues tonight that fired people up,” Mayor Gary Ander addressed the larger-than-usual crowd at the meeting’s outset. “Of course we will expect a Bowen level of decorum.”
The community centre
Come May, Bowen will have a referendum asking Islanders if BIM can borrow $4 million for the community centre. Most of council was enthusiastic about the development. Ander acknowledged that they had hoped to raise much of the money for the centre through fundraising and so far haven’t reached their target, but project planners are still working on that. The borrowed funds would only be used as a last resort (after the rest of the money had been spent).
The fire hall
LORRAINE ASHDOWN, PHOTO
OFFICERS, WHAT OFFENCE HAVE THESE MEN DONE?: Put on a play it seems.
Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Graham Ritchie runs Feb. 22 & 23rd and Mar 1 & 2 at Cates Hill Chapel. The play features Erin Little, Leah Cline, David McCullum, Martin Clarke, Mike Trevillion, John Parker, Doug Elliott, Adrian de Lidth de Jeude, David Cameron, Frazer Elliott, Robert Jackes, Sarah Cormier, Kat Stephens, Calder Stewart, Jessie Perry and Amanda Szabo.
After much debate, council authorized Johnston Davidson architectural firm to proceed with working drawings and construction estimates for the new fire hall on Lot 3. The meeting opened with the controversy – four members of the public spoke to council on the subject. Roger McGillivray was concerned about the fire hall irrevocably changing the nature of “downtown” Bowen. He urged council members to look again at their reasons for putting the fire hall so close to the cove and to reconsider the Lot 1 location. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Open House 1 to 3 pm Saturday February 23rd
1271 Scarborough • 899,000 Five years young, this four bedroom, four bath home still has its new home warranty. Inside features a thoughtful and family-friendly floor plan, with three bedrooms on the top floor and a one-bedroom guest suite below. Outside has sunny deck space, a bright and fenced yard, and low maintenance Hardie board exterior. Close to the Cove, on the bus route and close to walking trails, beaches and more.