Hello and Happy New Year to all!
IMPORTANT. Please distribute to all the paddlers you know… ESPECIALLY any who live in Esquimalt. We need everyone to write and enthusiastically support Councillor Armour’s motion (see below) for the Tillicum Safety Portage Beach.
Deadline: 4:30 pm, Monday January 6.
Deadline: 4:30 pm, Monday January 6.
Send emails to: corporate.services@esquimalt. ca
and copy to Councillor Armour… ken.armour@esquimalt.ca
THE MOTION: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That Township staff investigate options to achieve this capital project (including the possibility of using the McLouglin Amenity Funds) and bring back a report on options, costs (including maintenance costs) and timelines in addition to options to amend the parks master plan.
Please see the full details of Ken’s excellent and informative Notice of Motion here
Points to consider in your letter of support…
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- Esquimalt is in the middle of the loop, and this project addresses a major safety barrier for recreational paddlers
- This is a safety issue. Every year we have paddlers who capsize. This puts safety on BOTH sides of the narrows.
- The community survey showed that paddling access to the Gorge scored very high with residents
- Tides and currents cannot be easily predicted; even slow moving currents can be hazardous to novice paddlers
- A beach is both easy for paddlers to use AND excellent for ‘forage fish’ spawning (environmental stewardship!)
- View Royal has funded the Portage Trail ($185k); Victoria has directed staff to create two ‘fish forage’ paddling / swimming beaches
- This is consistent and compatible with the McLouglin Amenity funding that Council has approved for Esquimalt Gorge Park
- Promotes local businesses… more visitors, more patrons, and attracts young professionals to live, work and play.
- The ramp could be designed for paddlers to lockup their kayaks and go patron the Gorge Pub
- An excellent opportunity for indigenous consultation and recognition of both archeological values and the legend of Camosun
Even if you don’t live in Esquimalt, you will still visit and spend / patron the businesses who support / promote the Loop.
Let’s make this a unanimous Council decision.
Thanks everyone!
Yes
The portage would greatly enhance recreational boating and benefit the greater Victoria area
My thanks to all of you for posting this ‘community call to action’ regarding one of the most significant paddling barriers along the Victoria Waterways Loop. View Royal took care of their barrier at a cost of $185k. We now have the amazing 1 km “Portage Trail” from the Gorge to Esquimalt Harbour.
With your support, let’s hope that Esquimalt will work to address the safety concerns at Tillicum Narrows… AND create much need forage fish habitat at the same time! Win win.
Thanks again!
John Rogers
member, Victoria Waterways Loop Group