Protesters gathered over the weekend at Long Lake to voice opposition to a boathouse design that was recently approved by Nanaimo city council.
On April 7, in a 5-4 split vote, council chose to spend $10.8 million on a boathouse to replace Loudon Park's existing boathouse and washrooms, after user groups told council the existing facilities are ill-equipped to meet the needs of rowers, paddlers and other park visitors.
The planned boathouse design has a gross floor area of 10,500 square feet and includes architectural features such as mass timber, a curved roof and glazing throughout. It would include replacement washrooms, boat storage and a community space for meetings and events. Approximately 29 trees would have to be removed for the build.
On Saturday, April 19, those opposed to the development gathered at the park, with signs calling on council to reverse its decision. Groups involved in the rally included the Wellington Action Committee neighbourhood association, the Rock City Neighbourhood Association and Nanaimo Climate Action Hub.
Heather Baitz, board member with both the Rock City Neighbourhood Association and Nanaimo Climate Action Hub, told the News Bulletin that she only became aware of the project about two weeks ago.
"We would really hope that we could find some kind of solution where we can maintain our public green space at Loudon Park in addition to having the much-needed upgrades to the amenities there…" she said. "We have a mature grove of trees there that shade the area between the parking lot and the sand and water, and the current footprint that is proposed, and was voted on by city council recently, would take up the entire grove of trees and the entire shaded area in the park."
A smaller $6.5-million alternative design, which would have featured two separate buildings and necessitated the removal of 15 trees, was also considered by council. The more inexpensive design gained majority support at the committee level last month, but was ultimately dropped in favour of the $10.8-million design this month. While Baitz said she would be happy with the alternative design, she said she would also support additional options such as acquiring adjacent properties.
"We need some kind of solution where we still have a park in addition to the building, whether that might be the other option proposed in the council meeting or some third opportunity."
Along with the protest, a petition was created, which had garnered more than 200 signatures as of Tuesday, April 22.
"I would love for people to head down to the park if they haven't been there already, or if they are users of that park and would like to see a solution to be found here where we can continue to have some public green space in the park," Baitz said. "Please reach out to city council to let them know this is a priority for you, and hopefully we can make our voices heard and a solution be found."
