Qualicum Beach council voted unanimously to have staff go after grant money for a roundabout at Village Way and Island Highway West (near Eaglecrest Golf Club).
The subject of roundabouts has been a sore one in the community, especially when it comes to the planned roundabout at Memorial Drive and Island Highway West (a petition has circulated against that roundabout, and the Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association has lobbied the province to block it). The Village Way roundabout plan, however, appears to have broader support, with QBRA president Lance Nater saying he would have liked to see that roundabout built rather than, or instead of the planned Memorial Avenue roundabout.
That broader support has led some in the community to question the timing of the push for a grant application for Village Way, before the Oct. 20 municipal election.
At an Oct. 2 all-candidates meeting, current Qualicum Beach mayor Teunis Westbroek was asked about the grant application (scheduled for discussion and a motion at the council meeting the following day).
“Given the timing of this matter, it would appear that the town is playing politics with our tax dollars to influence votes and deflect frustration over the recent criticism of the Memorial roundabout. Please comment,” was the question.
Westbroek pointed out the existing Memorial Avenue and Rupert Road roundabout, saying there was plenty of disagreement from the community over that project but said it “works well.” He said the Memorial Avenue and Island Highway West roundabout should reduce traffic speed, earning him boos from the audience.
“I’m in favour of it,” he re-iterated.
Of the Village Way and Island Highway West roundabout, he said it’s long been in the works.
“Now we have an opportunity for a grant. Why would we not take that chance?”
The grant, from the Rural and Northern Community program, would contribute 90 per cent of the cost of the project, if the application is successful. That’s $1,787,859 in funding, with the town contributing the remaining $198,651 of the nearly $2 million project, according to town documents. The town’s director of planning, Luke Sales, explained at the Oct. 3 council meeting that staff are suggesting the grant application be made for this roundabout project as it’s one of the town’s more expensive major capital priorities, and so that town stands to save much more money if the grant is applied to a more expensive project.
The deadline for applying to the grant is Jan. 23, 2019.
“I think the timing would have been more appropriate for the incoming council to make this decision and given that there is not an urgent timeline, but I am in support of the application,” said Coun. Anne Skipsey.
Westbroek said the recommendation from staff to have a grant application submitted on this project was from staff, and that council was not aware of it in advance, saying “I don’t think anyone on council knew this was on the agenda this morning.”
“So long as I’m mayor, and in the future as a councilor, we need to lobby these bodies for support,” he said.
Coun. Bill Luchtmeijer called it a “no-brainer” to apply to the grant, and to get in “first in line.”
“There’s always reasons that can be brought up to delay everything in this town, however I think we should definitely go ahead with this. It’s a great proposal, and good gravy, 90 per cent? Got to love it,” said Coun. Neil Horner.
Coun. Barry Avis called the timing of the motion “a little bit strange” but perhaps good because “I truly believe we need this roundabout there.” The motion was carried unanimously.
