Will fun be part of waterfront planning discussions in Parksville and Qualicum Beach this year?
Yes, the science is the most important part of any study of our beaches. No point in setting any kind of plan without shoring up the shore, if you will. The sea is rising and battering the beaches. Erosion is a real thing that can be measured almost daily.
Thankfully, the municipalities are on top of this, or at least as best they can be considering they are battling Mother Nature, limited budgets and bad land-use decisions of the past.
So, let’s all agree the science is the most important part of any waterfront discussions and move on to look at some other, obviously-less-important details.
There has been talk in the left-leaning council chambers of Parksville and Qualicum Beach about the prospect of these beaches and/or parks becoming “too commercialized.”
Oh my, the horror.
A few city councillors are particularly concerned about this in Parksville. Aside from certain festivals and special days (Kidfest, Canada Day), there really isn’t much commercialism in Parksville’s Community Park/Beach. Two food trucks for a park/beach that size isn’t exactly excessive.
There used to be opportunities for tourists to rent paddle boards and kayaks and the like. When the owner of a private property on the beach booted that business off its lot, the city refused to give up any piece of the park for that business and a service for tourists went away.
Yes, there were timing issues and a proper request for proposals was required, but we have seen the city speed up the process for other items on its agenda.
Qualicum Beach had its battles when someone had the audacity to challenge the one and only food option. Much was learned in that very public fight, we would hope.
We also hope residents and tourists alike make it clear to these councils that it is good to keep options open. What’s also good is some clarity. The waterfront plans should map out the process required for those who might bring ideas for fun or food or fitness to the beaches. They should be welcomed and given fair hearing.
While we’re not suggesting the waterfronts should become adjoining-kiosk strip malls, we are asking these councils not to shut the door on any possibilities by adopting aggressive, anti-business, anti-fun wording in the master plans.
— Editorial by John Harding
