Like it or not, Powell River's new consolidated wastewater treatment plant is going to be built on the land below Larch and Laburnum avenues in Townsite. The location is locked in and there is no going back on that now.
City of Powell River councillor Rob Southcott says he's "99 per cent sure" the plant will be built on the old Townsite golf course lands, but the land is already bought and paid for by the city, and the provincial government grant for the $30-million facility hinges on that specific plot, so we might as well just say 100 per cent sure at this point and erase any element of doubt.
Now that we've cleared that up, let's talk about how this thing is going to look and what effects it will have on the environment. Associated Engineering, the consultant hired by the city to undertake the design process, is recommending the sewage pipe between Westview and Townsite follows Willingdon Beach Trail through the park. For obvious reasons, that's a huge concern for many residents.
If the city and its consultant can ensure running the 18-inch diameter pipe along the trail will not have adverse environmental impacts, it does appear to be the most cost- and energy-efficient route to move the sewage, rather than up the windy hill and along Marine Avenue.
But, as Townsite Ratepayers Association chair Willem Van Delft points out, any kind of environmental-impact study should be done by an organization independent of the city's contractor or the city itself. That's step number one.
If the study comes back with results that point to minimal disruption of the natural environment, the next steps are making sure the trail can be kept intact, or even improved upon, and that the Townsite sewage plant itself doesn't turn out to be a colossal eyesore for one of the most beautiful and historic neighbourhoods in BC.
If we can all accept the consolidated wastewater treatment plant is going to go in the Townsite location, perhaps our creative energy could be better put toward making it the best damn looking sewage treatment plant it can be.
Just because the thing processes poop doesn't mean it has to look like poop.
Jason Schreurs, publisher/editor
