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Update of the Status of the Ambleside Boat Launch, June 20, 2017
Ambleside Boaters Group (Stakeholders)
The closure of the existing boat ramp at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver in October of 2016 (as per the recommendations of the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan, passed by Council in June 2016) has precluded small trailered motorized vessels from accessing the waters of West Vancouver and beyond for recreational purposes such as general boating and fishing. This forces small vessels to travel greater distances at greater risk to reach this popular destination. The nearest public launch on the North Shore is 11 miles away at Cates Park. Horseshoe Bay area is also 11 miles from Ambleside. Vanier Park offers a launch which would require transiting busy shipping lanes to access the West Vancouver waterfront
The Ambleside area has an excellent fishery which has been fostered by the Capilano Fish Hatchery over 50 plus years. The West Vancouver shoreline provides miles of fabulous boating opportunities. Closure of the ramp to trailer access has restricted access to this precious resource.
The Ambleside Boaters Group feels that The District of West Vancouver should have a responsibility to provide access to the water for these user groups.
The motion passed by the District Council in June 2016 stated:
3 (a) Close vehicular access to the boat launch and explore alternative vehicle accessible boat ramp locations.
Since that time the Ambleside Boaters Group has been following various leads and awaiting the report which has still not been made public, although we understand that it has been completed.
Here is a summary of the actions taken by the Ambleside Boaters Group prior to the June Council meeting and up to the end of 2016:
Attended several of the public information sessions
Met with senior staff members of Parks, Engineering and Community Planning February 25th 2016 and followed up with written minutes, including the statement that Parks would review the possible location at the welcoming jetty.
Attended the Stakeholder’s meeting of April 28, 2016 coordinated by the District staff.
Wrote a follow up letter dated May 5, 2016 re: the Stakeholder’s meeting, to Senior Manager of Parks, Manager of Parks Operations and Manager of Community Planning
Emailed to Mayor and Council May 6, 2016 regarding retention of access to the waterfront for trailered vessels
Interviewed by CKNW Radio talk show host Jill Bennett who requested a follow up regarding this issue
Attended the Kay Meek Theater presentation May 9, 2016
Met with Senior Manager of Parks and Manager of Parks Operations on May 31, 2016 and recapped our position regarding retention of access for trailered vessels and asked if any investigation had been done re this matter. None had been done
Wrote an extensive report and submitted to Mayor and Council June 7, 2016. “The conclusion of this study is that the removal of the ramp would increase potential for recreational boaters to take unnecessary risks to reach the Ambleside area, that there is significant public support for the retention of access to the water for trailered vessels in the Ambleside area, and that there is a potentially viable economic solution for a new ramp in this immediate area. The District should formally acknowledge a replacement strategy for the ramp and maintain access to the current ramp until such time as a new location within the District is available for public use.”
Interviewed by CBC Television on the day of the council meeting.
Attended and spoke at the June 13, 2016 Council meeting. There were significant numbers of people speaking against the removal of access for trailered vessels and the motion made was worded “3 (a) Close vehicular access to the boat launch and explore alternative vehicle accessible boat ramp locations”
Letter to Mayor and council June 17, 2016, requesting further stakeholder consultation with us as users of the boat ramp, and requesting that Council consider linking the closure of the existing ramp to reinstatement of a new ramp in the immediate area, and impose a timeline on the selection of a new ramp location as they have for the closure of the existing ramp.
Made a presentation at the Port Metro sponsored North Shore Liaison Committee on June 30, 2016 outlining the safety concerns associated with closure of the existing ramp and diversion of boat traffic to more distant locations, transiting through shipping lanes, and the inability of smaller vessels to travel through First Narrows.
Applied through the Freedom of Information act and attained the report requested by District staff in 2013 entitled “Preliminary Study of Public Boat Launch Opportunities in West Vancouver” It appears from this report that some energy was expended on this issue at that time, however nothing has materialized as yet.
We were disappointed to hear the December 5, 2016 Council update that the discussion around this issue has not only been delayed, but also consolidated with the “longer term projects as outlined in the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan”.
The issue of access to the water from West Vancouver shoreline was separated from the AWCP early in the approval process when the ramp was taken out of the study area to accommodate the Spirit Trail, and we feel that this issue should be addressed completely separately from the AWCP progress.
We note in the Council update that the terms of reference for the proposed study (marine environmental considerations, regulatory approvals, required infrastructure and costing) do not include one of the most important aspects- boating safety. On numerous occasions we have demonstrated the need for access in this area to mitigate dangerous situations for small vessels transiting shipping lanes, the busy Port area, and potentially rough waters under the Lions Gate Bridge or around Point Atkinson.
Additionally we would like to remind Council of the cost neutral private proposal that was presented to both the Planning Department and several Council members.
Also we would like to make Council aware that the Lions Gate Marina property – which was used by Council as a possible option for launching boats-has recently been sold to a development company as an “Extraordinary Redevelopment Opportunity” which will most likely spell the end of yet another access point to the water, albeit a private one.
In summary:
Boating season is upon us, and safety of boaters is forefront in this issue.
Access for trailered vessels was eliminated in October 2016
The District has commissioned a report which was to have been presented by end of 2016, but will be presented to council in the near future
The terms of reference of this report did not apparently include a study of the safety issues associated with transiting from available launches to the West Vancouver area and beyond.
We as the Ambleside Boaters Group would like to be formally consulted upon presentation of the report to Council regarding alternate ramp locations. This report should be thoroughly vetted, and decisions around this matter should be carefully considered.
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Topic: Ambleside Boat Ramp Permanent Closure (Read 8843 times)