Van Isle 360 Race - June 8, 2013

Will Docks Still Be Closed?

With the recent collapse of the deal with PNWG to lease the inner harbour it raises the question of whether or not the NPA has enough cash in the bank to re-open this section of dock in time for the running of the Van Isle 360 yacht race.

The prestigious yacht race, which this year has 42 entrants registered starts and finishes in the Nanaimo harbour, drawing attention to the harbour city from far and wide. This year's event is being sponsored by the Black Press media group, the event used to be called the Cadillac Van Isle 360 but this year it is knows as the Black Press Van Isle 360.

I never determined if the closing of this dock was necessary or whether it was a move to convince the public that the docks desperately needed repairs that only private money could provide.

In any case the whole inner harbour deal courtesy of the NPA and their board of directors has turned out to be a lesson in the importance of getting the public onside rather than acting as if you are the king, and the harbour is your own personal kingdom.

I hope the 'kings' of downtown Nanaimo, willing to get a hotel built regardless of cost, are paying attention. If they are planning some back room, underhanded deal in order to circumvent the public process it could turn into a long hot summer after all.

Attitudes and public involvement seems to be changing for the better and some of the little tyrants used to getting their own way all the time, might be in for a rude awakening.