The City of Port Alberni has picked up a bit more waterfront for a public beach. And while the agreement to lease the former Esso lands between the Harbour Quay Marina and boat launch will not appease those profoundly disappointed in recent land use decisions near Canal Beach, it is still a few metres of recreational waterfront. It is more than we had a week ago.
It is time now to work with what we’ve been given. The Esso site is an historical respite, having been a public gathering place in the city’s century-old past. Canal Beach is a newer respite, and although it will remain solely on Lot C of the Plywood lands for now, there is room to grow.
Has anyone supporting the development of Canal Beach approached the Tseshaht First Nation and asked their opinion on the plans? Much concentration has been paid to the right side of the beach, but what about to the left? The waterfront doesn’t stop at the unfinished pier.
There is land stretching to Polly’s Point that has possibilities for recreational use, if the inclination is there.
Let’s set aside the complaining and hard feelings for a little while, and see how we can create new partnerships within the situations we have been dealt with. Canal Beach will receive water, sewer and power as a result of the contract signed between the city and port authority on behalf of Alberni Engineering. Perhaps the company would be amenable to landscaping part of its property in keeping with the beach’s outdoors theme, or would consider a mural on the side of its building to cut down on the industrial look. Or contribute to resurfacing the pier.
It’s time to work together instead of against each other.
~ Alberni Valley News
