By Barrie McDonald
Ever since my arrival in the Ladysmith community 20 years ago I have been struck by the ‘Two Solitudes’ represented by the Town and the Stz’uminus First Nation (SFN) communities. It is as if the 700-metre-width of the beautiful harbour was a 700-metre-high wall.
So it was a huge step forward when on Feb. 1 the SFN and the Town, in partnership, sponsored a meeting in Aggie Hall that began a process to plan the use of the waterfront between Transfer Beach and Fisherman’s Wharf. Chief John Elliott and Mayor Aaron Stone both spoke eloquently on behalf of their councils and residents in emphasizing their shared objectives and the importance of this process in fulfilling needs and aspirations of both communities.
The core opportunity of the plan, the ‘big prize’, is to fundamentally reset the relationship between residents of the SFN and Ladysmith communities, to create a lasting bond of mutual respect and trust. What is done on the waterfront must benefit both. A strengthened relationship is the big prize, but we should be able to do this in a way that invites all residents down to enjoy their own waterfront and that generates economic benefits for both communities. Our decisions should meet these tests.
The timing was not lost on those attending the Aggie Hall meeting. In a spirit of reconciliation and of infrastructure improvement the senior levels of government would welcome joint proposals coming forward from both communities in partnership. And having the waterfront area – the upland and the water lots – as a focus gives us a great opportunity.
This is our front yard – it belongs to all of us. It is a communal place, not one for exclusion or private ownership. Within the waterfront area are a couple of tracts of land that must come under community control if we are to make best use of our waterfront – Lot 5, an undeveloped strip of cliff-face owned by a group of mostly non-resident investors, and the railway right-of-way, owned by the Island Corridor Foundation .
The waterfront opportunity can be viewed as having two parts:
One is the Upland part. Early results will be more easily achieved here. This is the place where a new ‘wow’ building could commemorate the history and partnership of both communities. A spacious, exciting and uplifting place that would reflect a spiritual bond between the communities, communicate culture, and be a draw to tourists and locals alike. Residents would have to discuss whether preservation and investment in the existing buildings would be compatible with resetting the relationship between the communities or whether they should be removed. There are many good ideas for improving use of the upland – trails, parking, roads, links to the downtown, landscaping, dining and event facilities, large outdoor displays, farmers market, suitable accommodations for select community groups, etc. But let’s keep the primary focus on the big prize.
The second is the Water-lot part – Just as important as the Upland (many would say ‘more’) is the restoration of the long term environmental health of the Harbour itself, the fate of Slack Point , and use of DL 651 (“Dogpatch”). Pollution and stability issues relate to past industrial and current activities. Remedies will take time and investment. But without a plan and governance framework we will not succeed.
This is an opportunity for Ladysmith and the Stz’uminus First Nation to be leaders and to create pathways for other communities to follow. So let’s get involved and get it right.
