PORT McNEILL—The local Girl Guides chapter, the Junior Canadian Rangers, the Rotary Club and a local church each received approval on requests from council during a brief meeting held prior to last week’s Union of B.C. Municipalities Conference in Vancouver.
The Sept. 11 meeting was moved up from its originally scheduled Sept. 16 date to avoid conflict with the annual UBCM gathering.
Port McNeill’s Girl Guides requested permission to re-vegetate areas along the creek that runs behind the Guide/Scout Hall. The request noted the Guides are in consultation with Strategic Environmental Management on a plan to identify appropriate species and locations for plantings.
Council approved the request, contingent on Strategic’s oversight of the project.
“I love the idea,” coun. Gaby Wickstrom said. “But there is an issue of following DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) regulations along the stream. I think partnering with Strategic is a good way to ensure they’re in compliance.”
Council next approved the in-kind donation of use of the Community Hall by Port McNeill Full Gospel Church for its 30-year reunion gathering, scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 11-13. The town will waive the normal rental fee for the facility, while the church will pay the janitorial and clean-up costs.
Port McNeill Rotary Club, fresh off an extension of its roadside trail along Campbell Way and Highway 19, has turned its sights to a dilapidated patio and bench area along the downtown waterfront. Rotary submitted a written proposal to replace the existing 12x41 foot concrete pad, which is cracked, crumbling and patched with uneven cobblestones, with a new pad; to remove an old, overgrown evergreen bush and plant new vegetation in consultation with municipal staff; and replace the deteriorating log seating with new benches.
Rotary’s proposal was for a jointly funded effort, with the town paying for demolition and removal of the existing concrete facility and Rotary funding construction of a new pad, as well as new seating.
Council approved the concept, but requested a cost estimate from Rotary on the Town’s share of the cost before final approval would be granted.
Finally, Council gave the green light to the Junior Canadian Rangers, who requested approval to conduct a cleanup of the waterfront and harbour area during the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Sept. 21.