Re: John Harding’s editorial in the Jan. 15 edition of The NEWS (Tale of two towns) and this particular statement:
“Meanwhile in Qualicum Beach, Mayor Teunis Westbroek has tried to sound a positive chord, especially about that town’s gorgeous waterfront, which needs some serious updating in terms of both aesthetics and practical matters.”
A few months ago, I suggested in these pages that the town needs to take a hard look at investigating the building of a jetty or pier out into the bay as a significant enhancement to our fantastic beach.
I specifically used the success of the incredible re-development of the jetty in Bumbleton, Western Australia, where they already had a historic but inspiring two-kilometre jetty with a mini-train ride out to the end and back.
A group organized itself in conjunction with the town to raise funding and redevelop the attraction into major destination with an interpretive centre and an underwater observatory at the jetty’s end (see www.busseltonjetty.com.au).
I have travelled throughout the U.S.A. and Australia and virtually every city/town/village has a pier that citizens and visitors alike take advantage of day and night (most lighted).
Our officials have succumbed to some sort of external/internal force(s) that have caused them to wish to jump on the ‘we-must-have-a-new-firehall’ train and dole out some $3 million for the ride.
Meanwhile, the economic/recreational/cultural potential benefits of a unique feature such as a well-planned, multi-usage pier as part of our beachfront environs goes wanting.
We are catching the train but missing the boat.
D. J. McLean
Qualicum Beach
