Representatives of Marine Area Business Association (MABA) have asked for the City of Powell River’s approval for its community clock project.
Cathy MacDonald, president of MABA, and Anna Hindle, a director of the association, made a presentation to council at the December 15 committee-of-the-whole meeting.
MABA has raised about $5,000 for the project and is ready to apply for funding from other agencies. The association plans to locate the clock in the vacant lot on the corner of Marine Avenue and Alberni Street. “Whether you’re travelling from the north, south, east or west, this is the crossroads of Powell River,” said Hindle. “This crossroad is widely used by our entire community. We can create a wonderful landmark here and also it can be a beautiful attraction for tourists coming into our community.”
MacDonald reported that MABA needs the city’s approval before it can apply to other agencies for funds. “Our plan is to develop the land as a park, with the clock as the main focus,” she said.
Although the lot is not a designated parking lot, people park there, including employees of businesses in the area. However, the city puts up a Christmas tree in the lot and there is no parking during the holiday season.
MacDonald also asked that when the Christmas tree comes down in January, the city keep the lot closed to parking, in order to start preparations for the clock. However, the tree has come down and people are once again parking in the lot.
“I know there is always the issue of parking, but in the six weeks that the tree is up for Christmas, there’s never been a complaint about no parking,” MacDonald said. “Those people obviously find a place to park.”
MABA would also like to work with the city’s parks, recreation and culture department and Councillor Russell Brewer, who holds the parks portfolio, to develop the design of the park.
Councillor Debbie Dee said she knew MABA had been fundraising for a clock, but wondered if it had been fundraising for a park as well. MacDonald said the funding applications include costs for a park. She also said that the city would maintain the park.
Councillors decided to refer the request to staff for a report, with options and recommendations. The report would revisit a proposal from First Credit Union in 2008 to create a park at the same location. In 2009, the credit union pulled the proposal because of opposition to it. MABA supported the credit union’s proposal, but Powell River Chamber of Commerce did not.
