Council shelves proposal for The Boulevard

Those opposed to changes to vehicle parking and access on Sechelt’s Trail Bay Boulevard can breathe easier.

Council voted to “shelve” the idea at its Aug. 4 meeting after revealing that its federal grant application for the work was not approved. Without that $440,375 in funding, the $600,538 improvement project will not be moving forward.

The proposal focused on creating a narrow one-way westbound vehicle lane, walking and cycling paths, vendor stalls and seating area while retaining some vehicle parking along the downtown beach and ocean viewing area.

That application raised fears in the community that vehicle parking along the route would be banned in favour of grouped parking areas at each end. In July, area resident Elaine Hunter launched an online petition in opposition to changes at the site. The petition preamble read: “many people who cannot walk far use this to relax in their car, enjoy the waves and read etc.”

In just over a month, the petition garnered 181 signatures. It also prompted social media comments and, in response to an inquiry from Coast Reporter, an email from the municipality stating that no plans for adjustments had been finalized.

At the Aug. 4 meeting, Coun. Matt McLean said he would be raising the need for “substantial” improvements, including resurfacing of the roadway, during the 2022 budget debate. In discussion of work that could proceed next year, director of engineering and operations Kirn Dhillon said “there is a piece around engagement that we want to do and now have the time for.”

The municipality launched a public online survey on 2022-26 budget planning on Aug. 5. Comments in favour of keeping parking “as is” on The Bouvlevard have been posted to survey-related discussion threads on Facebook.

According to Sechelt.ca, the survey is to remain open until Aug. 31. It will be followed by two open house type events to gain input on future spending plans. Those are to be scheduled in the fall. 

Council authorized the unsuccessful ICIP grant application last September in a split decision. At that time, Mayor Darnelda Siegers summed up her views on any changes to vehicle access along the Trail Bay waterfront, saying, “I want greater community input so that what we end up building reflects what the community actually wants.”