qathet Regional District will contemplate whether to install a sani-dump and septic system at Haywire Bay Regional Park and whether to increase camping fees at Haywire Bay and Shelter Point Park when the installation is complete.
At the committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, November 14, regional directors heard the request for the sani-dump, which would cost an estimated $40,000, and a request that the committee recommend approving camping rates for RVs, campers and trailers at both parks to be increased to $27 per night after the sani-dump opens.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said the regional district had received 13 requests for installation of a sani-dump at Haywire Bay over the past two seasons.
“That’s six and a half requests per year,” said Gisborne. “To me it doesn’t really seem like the public is up in arms screaming about this. That $40,000 is a lot of money to spend in Haywire Bay. My understanding is Haywire Bay is already an excellent park with really solid user numbers going in there. I think this is more of a want than a need.”
Powell River has a sani-dump at the airport. Gisborne said he did not think some of the people making recommendations for the sani-dump knew there was a station in town.
“I don’t think I can really support this because $40,000 is a lot of money and it’s also going to increase the cost of using the site,” said Gisborne. “A lot of people use that site because it’s relatively affordable and close to the municipality.”
Committee chair Sandy McCormick said there is a sani-dump at Shelter Point Park and it is her understanding the facility is well used.
“We want to encourage owners of RVs to use it,” she added.
Gisborne asked if there was another sani-dump station on Texada Island. McCormick said it was the only one.
“That’s where it’s really appropriate for Texada, so it makes sense for Shelter Point,” said Gisborne. “From Haywire Bay it’s a 10-minute drive to go to the [Powell River] airport.”
Regional directors voted in favour of the motion, with Gisborne and Area C director Clay Brander opposed.
