Ferry upgrades
BC Ferries has included the Island Sky, the regular vessel on the Saltery Bay-Earls Cove route, on a list of 13 ferries that are going into dry dock for extensive work in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
The dry-docking of the Island Sky, slated for the fall of 2013, is a regulatory requirement done after five years in service, said Deborah Marshall, executive director, public affairs, for BC Ferries. The work will entail inspections and surveys. Two of the four propellers and main engines will be inspected and overhauled and one generator will be overhauled.
The hull and superstructure will receive a coat of paint as needed and the car deck and outer decks will receive intensive coating refurbishment to ensure non-slip coating. As well, all life-saving equipment will be tested and re-certified and the ship’s alarm and control monitoring systems will be serviced.
The company is also spending $15 million to upgrade the Tachek, the regular vessel on the Quadra Island-Cortes Island route which also serves as the relief vessel for the North Island Princess on the Powell River-Texada Island route. The vessel, which was built in 1969, is undergoing a seven-month life extension project this spring. It will undergo major upgrades to the hull and new main engines. All associated machinery will be installed.
As well, passenger accommodation will be completely updated and the vessel will undergo all safety inspections and regulatory requirements.
BC Ferries has scheduled 24 vessels for refits and maintenance during the fiscal year, with 13 of those slated for major dry-docking. The refits are expected to cost about $75 million. All ferries will be temporarily replaced while they are out of service.
Neighbourhood forums
Consultants hired to revamp the City of Powell River’s official community plan (OCP) are heading out to four neighbourhoods to gather ideas.
The review of the OCP started with an open house on January 31. The forums will provide an opportunity to analyze the strengths, challenges and opportunities facing Powell River at the neighbourhood level and help craft a vision for the future that will guide the new OCP.
The schedule of the events is:
• Townsite, Tuesday, February 12, Dwight Hall, 6274 Walnut Street;
• Westview, Wednesday, February 13, Arbutus Room, Powell River Recreation Complex, 5001 Joyce Avenue;
• Wildwood, Monday, February 25, James Thomson Elementary School, 6388 Sutherland Avenue;
• Cranberry Lake, Tuesday, February 26, Club Bon Accueil, 5110 Manson Avenue.
All forums will be held from 6 to 8:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend any or all of the four neighbourhood events.
The forums will feature presentations from the project team, from local community representatives and visioning small group discussions. The discussions will answer the following questions, among others:
• What is great about our neighbourhood and why is our neighbourhood doing well?
• What could be improved?
• What opportunities can our neighbourhood take advantage of?
• What should we be aware of that could interfere with our efforts to create a better neighbourhood?
Small group discussions will also produce community vision elements for each neighbourhood and Powell River.
More information about the OCP review is available at the project website.