The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal's recent decision that the Davis Bay seawall needs safety improvements is a case of good news disguised as bad news.
Jacqueline Moser's complaint to the human rights tribunal was far from frivolous. Taking her dog for walks on the seawall is a big part of her life and one of relatively few recreational opportunities now available to her. And while most of the seawall is safely usable, there is one section of the walkway that is too narrow and too steep.
Yes, fixing that will cost money - perhaps $40,000 - which is the District of Sechelt's estimate for adding a hand railing on the narrow stretch. But despite that cost, this is an important issue and one which needs to be taken care of, not just for Ms. Moser's benefit but for the safety of everyone who visits the seawall.
The District of Sechelt deserves three cheers for creating a beautiful, accessible public walkway in Davis Bay. Addressing the competing concerns of erosion control, traffic safety, adequate parking and pedestrian needs was a tricky jigsaw puzzle, and for the most part the district got it right. The proof of that can be seen any day at sunset, when throngs of locals and visitors alike are drawn to one of the nicest public spaces on the Sunshine Coast.
But the narrow and steeply sloping asphalt section of the walkway has always been problematic. Even able-bodied people might well feel nervous when passing other pedestrians on this stretch of the seawall. For anyone who, like Ms. Moser, uses a scooter, wheelchair or walker, this part of the walk could easily turn dangerous.
Ms. Moser and her father should be thanked for pressing this issue and ensuring the seawall is safe for everyone to use.
As for the best solution to the problem, eliminating a few parking spaces in order to widen the walkway seems like a more attractive option than adding a railing, but we'll leave that decision to the engineers.
The District of Sechelt has six months to come up with a good solution. We're confident the end result will be a seawall walkway that is safe as well as beautiful.
