by Jack Dice I have always been a strong advocate for providing boating access to Powell Lake. In 1962 I organized 130 volunteers who built a “free-of-charge” boat ramp and dock at the Shinglemill and in 2004 many of us volunteers worked on the dock and breakwater at the Mowat Bay site.
So, with a long history in this matter I was very disappointed to find that City of Powell River has, for unjustifiable reasons, declined to make real improvements to the Shinglemill ramp when they recently replaced the docks.
We are told by Tor Birtig, city’s director of infrastructure, that a two-lane launch configuration at the Shinglemill (like the one at Mowat Bay with a dock in the middle and ramps on either side) is not possible because the 38-foot right-of-way is not adequate for two lanes of traffic. However, a new configuration requires only 28 feet: 10-foot ramp, eight-foot dock, 10-foot ramp.
Birtig also says if the ramp design was changed boaters would “run into issues with people getting fuel,” and that there “wasn’t adequate space in between.” This may be true, however, it is the location of the gas dock that is interfering and encroaching on the public easement, not the other way around. If so, then the gas dock owner needs to be advised to redesign or relocate so as not to interfere with public interests.
Birtig claims that the existing ramp configuration is doing an adequate job and that launching and retrieving even on long weekends goes “rather quickly.” I’m sure most, if not all of the Shinglemill ramp users would disagree with Birtig’s assessment, but unfortunately they were never asked what was wanted or needed.
Finally, Birtig sites costs as a reason not to go to a new ramp configuration. “We just don’t need to get into those extra costs.” However, directors from the Powell River Community Forest (the society that provided the project funding) have assured me that finding additional funds for ramp improvements would not be a problem.
I am not satisfied with the city’s efforts on this project. If you agree, please let the candidates for council know your views concerning this issue.
Jack Dice, a resident of Powell River, was involved with the building of the Powell Lake boat launch in 1962.
