Jeff Solomon addresses audience
Technical Team Members Toby Seward - City, Lorne Gale - CDPPS Engineer
Residents supporting CDPPS
City Moving Toward Remediation of Colliery Park Dams
In Most Cost Effective, Least Intrusive Means Possible
A crowd of about 140 people turned out at John Barsby School to hear an update on the progress being made to remediate the dams in Colliery Dams Park.
The atmosphere was generally optimistic and upbeat which is in sharp contrast to the first meeting held nearly one year ago when residents were just beginning to come to grips with the possibility of losing the lakes that make their park.
Representatives from the city were present to explain some of the city's positions with regards the park. Kirsty MacDonald of the Parks and Recreation dept. gave a brief history of the park and explained that the city is considering dedicating another 150 acres adjacent the park on city owned land. She explained the zoning for this park intends to keep the park as a natural park in a natural state. She also explained that counters the city installed would indicate that between 150 - 250 people use the park on a daily basis.
The crowd also had the opportunity to ask members of the 'technical team' questions they had surrounding the whole safety issue of the dams, and plans to move forward. Toby Seward was representing the city of Nanaimo and explained that the city intends to move forward toward a goal of remediating the dams in place in the most cost effective manner possible. Lorne Gale, engineer for the CDPPS answered several questions about options available that could see the dams brought to a satisfactory safety standard. Lorne explained there are many options open and they are not just limited to the options previously considered.
Mr. Gale explained that the lower dam in Colliery Park according to the previous engineers studies concluded it could withstand a 1:3000 year event before failing, while the middle dam was considered to be able to withstand a 1:500 year event. To put that in perspective, the hospital is built to a 1:2750 year standard and not fail.
The Deputy Fire Chief explained the safety measures that have been put in place as part of the process of seeing that people are aware of the potential danger and know how to best deal with any worst case scenario.
All in all, the meeting demonstrated strong community support to retain the dams at a safe level and a commitment from the city to work with the CDPPS and First Nations to achieve that goal.
This whole year long exercise is a testimony to what a small group of determined citizens can do in face of very difficult obstacles when they join together and work diligently to achieve their goals.
A few, but not all members of the original group that deserve recognition are Jeff Solomon, Roblyn Hunter, Geraldine Collins, Craig Evans, Lorne Gale, Terry Wagar and Bill Heathcote to name a few. In addition there have been literally thousands of volunteer hours involved as one little group of determined citizens put their shoulders to the wheel and did what seemed impossible.
Nice report, Jim.. I would like to stress how grateful we are to Chief Doug White and Snuneymuxw First Nation, as without their intervention, City Council would have moved ahead with demolition of the Dams. Thank you, Snuneymuxw!
ReplyDelete