Complex access
Several weeks ago there was an article in the paper that suggested several new routes that could possibly be developed to ease the perceived congestion at Powell River Recreation Complex when it empties after hockey and various other events [“Traffic options would be costly,” January 7]. Now, I’ve been to many games and concerts including International Choral Kathaumixw. Most of the time the lots are empty within 15 to 20 minutes and there is only a momentary wait on Joyce Avenue at that intersection. There isn’t even a four-way stop there to expedite the supposed heavy traffic flow from the arena that would call for another access road. The congestion that supposedly exists here pales in comparison with a game letting out in Vancouver or a concert there. So why another access road? If one considers the cost, maintenance and environmental dislocations that would result from another road, what is the point, for just another five minutes of time?
The only argument that could be made for another road would be in case of a major fire, earthquake or accident in the parking lot at the recreation complex that would result in the access being blocked. Then perhaps an additional route could be justified. That road should connect with Joyce at the shortest distance and have the closest access to Powell River General Hospital and incoming fire and rescue equipment. For that matter there is already a road planned along the hydro line and it is part of the official community plan. Just a piece of it could be developed and that would put it right onto Joyce. Another possibility would be to widen the existing road and put in a parallel service lane used only by designated vehicles. This would involve taking out some additional trees as a precaution against earthquake and fire disrupting the route.
E. Reid Westland
Chilco Avenue
Lessons from student science
Some years ago School District 47 held a district-wide competition among students to display the level of scientific study in which the students were engaged. The competition rules were that the students must undertake and accomplish their work unassisted by adults other than in an advisory capacity.
Edgehill Elementary School is the closest school to Cranberry Lake. Two grade seven boys elected the lake as their area of study. They borrowed a 10-foot inflatable dinghy, two lifejackets and paddles. The pair spent quite a few hours on the water noting the aquatic life. They gathered samples, made notes and graphed their findings. On the advice of the deputy superintendent of schools, they sent their samples and findings to Vancouver for analysis.
After the competition closed all entries were displayed in Town Centre Mall. The board of education was very pleased with the results and gratified at the great many compliments received on the level of science in the school district. When the results were announced winning first place, district-wide, was the Study of Cranberry Lake conducted by Kelly McCausland and David Preston. The information submitted in their report and interpreted by the analysts in Vancouver was that if corrective measures were not taken Cranberry Lake would not exist as a lake within approximately 10 years. The study provided the evidence of extremely rich nitrogen in the water and a eutrophic process that was well advanced. (Eutrophy is the presence of extremely rich nutrients which ultimately accelerate plant growth and lead to oxygen starvation and the death of all animal life in the lake.) The boys believed the nutrients in the water had come from washing machines used by residents in the trailer park.
Elementary students these boys might have been, nevertheless, their study provides answers to some of the questions posed recently by friends of Cranberry Lake and City of Powell River [“Watershed non-profit stands guard,” February 18]. It is a fact that scientific study of the lake was conducted years ago. The real story of the lake has already been written and the decline in aquatic life recorded and accounted for.
Now you have a rescue mission on your hands. These two youngsters showed you what had to be done.
R.F. Rigby
Brunswick Avenue
