Issues surrounding Lake Cowichan’s new roundabout continue to cause a stir for council members.
Last Tuesday at the Public Works Committee meeting at city hall, Coun. Bob Day raised concerns over logging trucks continuously driving over the top of the structure with no care.
It is a concern that was also raised to council by Lake Cowichan locals at a public meeting two weeks ago.
“I had seven complaints from different people in one day,” said Day. “The logging trucks are constantly driving over the top of it. It’s a disgrace and very disrespectful.”
Some of the complaints Day received were via social media on his Facebook page. One response of his posed the question “I wonder if they would mind if I drove across their front lawn?”
Councillor Frankiln Hornbrook backed Day up.
“Drivers should be professional not amateur,” he said.
Mayor Ross Forrest concurred.
“It’s totally unprofessional and is actually against the law. Hopefully the police will catch a few of them,” said the mayor.
On a brighter note, council is looking to install some sort of plant in the centre of the roundabout and is looking for more ideas from locals.
“The idea of a bonsai forest was raised at the public meeting,” said Coun. Tim McGonigle. “We need more input before deciding. I would like to see some First Nations input. Possibly a totem or a fish.”
Day asked on the restrictions of height and visibility in terms of driver safety.
Nagi Rizk, superintendent of public works and engineering services confirmed “it is true you only have to see the traffic in the circle.”
Mayor Forrest still believes council needs to proceed with caution.
“My only concern is that it’s not the type of attraction where people will want to walk up to it and take a picture as it is in the middle of the road. It just needs to look aesthetically good so people can look at when they drive by,” he said.
Day also asked whether or not something will get underway come 2014.
Chief administrative officer Joseph A. Fernandez said the planting “is a 2014 budget item.”
“This could be a budget item, although I don’t think a bonsai forest would qualify for a tree grant,” said Fernandez.
