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| Author | Topic: West Van Coho? Boat access |
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Go.Fish |
Posted on: 2017/07/04 14:46:08 * Reply
If anyone's wondering why we have a lack of reports off West Van it's because of the "temporary" closure of the Ambleside boat launch late last fall. This has limited safe passage and launching for trailered vessels heading out particularly from the North Shore and Burnaby residents. But really people from all over the GVRD use this launchWest Van is calling the closure temporary but we need to make sure they act and spend on a new launch replacing the existing launch which was there for over 60 years! If you'd like to join the cause in making sure the District or West Van relocates the ramp to a new location and would like more info please either send me a PM with your email address or send an email to Phil and Andrew @ amblesiderampclosure@gmail.com. These guys have done an amazing job and spent countless hours working on the cause and we need your help and your voice at the upcoming W.V. Council meeting and beyond! (Date of this meeting yet to be determined) On the report side of things I launched from Lions gate Marina last Sunday ($40??!!!) and braved the first narrows on an outgoing tide with incoming swell for a rough ride. Toured from the pink appts up to just before Lighthouse park with only one hit, saw a decent amount of bait and a porpoise frolicking around in our prop wash which was awesome to see |
 club info |
Posted on: 2017/08/21 12:09:49 * Reply
Here's an update re: Ambleside boat Launch"Thanks again to the people who attended the council meeting July 24 and to those who have recently added their support. I will give a brief update as we haven't communicated for a while. Phil and I have not stopped working on this file! I have attached a NS News article that details how the council meeting went- favourably for us. Now we are trying to get council/staff off their 2019 program by joining forces with the West Van Shoreline Preservation Society- these people are very knowledgeable in the foreshore area of West Van, and they have kindly met with us and will assist going forward. Lots of Councillors and staff on holiday this month, but we have written a letter to Mayor and Council this week requesting that we the Boaters Group take contro of the regulatory approvals and a preliminary design and budget, at our expense. (fund raising will be required, but we are not quite ready for that yet) That's it for now as I am heading to the west coast fishing for a week, but please know that we are dedicated to this and will carry on. Will be in touch when we hear back from Mayor and Council re our approach. Enjoy the NS News article! Andrew and Phil" Boat ramp may make a return to Ambleside.pdf |
club info |
Posted on: 2018/03/20 21:57:01 * Reply
Here's another update re: Ambleside boat LaunchSorry for going dark for a while. I have been receiving some calls lately as spring comes along and the ocean draws us. In summary, last September we gained what I call "loose" support from council. At the same meeting Andrew Banks of the Parks Department stated that the ramp issue would be "studied" in 2019 when Ambleside Park is set for an overall review. They said they would do some initial groundwork by contacting various authorities. I have been following up with Councillor Booth and she has maintained contact with Andrew Banks and Anne Mooi (director of parks). Here is the response I received from Mary Ann Booth recently: Hi Andrew, Thanks for checking in. I’ve met with Andrew Banks and Anne Mooi about this and they have contacted Port Metro, Navigation Canada, Fisheries and Ocean Canada, and reviewed the Head Lease with the Province, regarding consent and notice requirements. The overarching consideration however is addressing a number of issues in Ambleside Park, and how the boat launch fits into that Plan; e.g. aging roads, water and sewer infrastructure, storm water management, the man-made duck pond, and wasted space. In this regard, consultation on an Ambleside Park Master Plan is scheduled to begin in 2019. I hope this helps. Warm regards, Mary-Ann Booth Councillor, District of West Vancouver www.maryannbooth.com Doesn't sound positive at all and we get the sense that Parks will continue to bunt this issue down the road until it is forgotten or defeated in some way. Not sure what to do next, although I am still corresponding with Mary Ann on this. Any pressure that you can bring to bear on council on this issue will help. Thanks Andrew Kennett and Phil Grassi. |
club info |
Posted on: 2018/06/01 15:20:07 * Reply
Hi AllPlease see the below well articulated email from Lawrence Shand- poignant comes to mind. Are we all giving up or is there someone out there that wants to lead another charge? ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Lawrence Shand <shand@shaw.ca> Date: Wed, May 23, 2018 at 10:27 AM Subject: Re: Brief update To: Andrew Kennett <amblesideboaters@gmail.com> Cc: Andrew Kennett <andrew@proconprojects.com>, Phil Grassi <Grassiphil@gmail.com> I sense and share your frustration, Andrew. But there is an important clue to the ultimate futility of the exercise in her comment about a “distinct lack of input by West Vancouver residents”. The entire panel of councillors and associated departmental mandarins are well aware of the fact that a few West Vancouver residents have expressed well articulated dissatisfaction (by phone and in writing) with the removal of the launch ramp. I have written them twice, for example. Silence in response. So it is clear that what Booth really meant is that there are “not enough” residents expressing a concern for anyone in the political arena (existing or aspiring) to take a stand, one way or another. And, given the amount of time that has passed since the abrupt closing of the ramp, it seems pretty clear that the political types are standing on safe political ground. The numbers are not there. The lack of public reaction (by volume) has placed their unilaterally taken decision in the “win” column. As planned, the upmarket gentrification of Ambleside etc will continue. The fortunate and few residents of the new Grosvenor development will not have their expensive vista marred by the hustle and bustle of folks who can’t afford to keep their boats where the residents likely believe all boats belong - slowly rotting away in a $250,000 boat house at RVYC. Thanks for your energy and leadership on the issue, guys. But but there are clearly not enough followers to make any sort of difference to those with the authority to do anything — except to kick this small can down the road until West Vancouver’s only public boat launch - our only public access for launching small boats - is just a quaint historical artifact; rather like the old ferry building. How that old sailing club has survived to date, I don’t know. Possibly sailing dinghies have been deemed suitably “genteel” under the masterplan. Cheers, Shand On May 23, 2018, at 7:56 AM, Andrew Kennett <amblesideboaters@gmail.com> wrote: Munical elections this fall, Mary Ann Booth is running for mayor. I received the following from her. In previous correspondence she has indicated a distinct lack of input from WEST VAN RESIDENTS. As you know Phil and I (NORTH VAN RESIDENTS) have spent countless hours on this project and we feel it will get shoved off the back burner by the Parks people as they have eluded to too many issues in Ambleside Park to have a ramp there. There will be the painful study, the tears of regret and poof it will not happen. Positive action by WEST VAN RESIDENTS is required and we hereby request that someone or a group step forward and take some action. Mary Ann has made an invite as follows which may present an opportunity to say something about the ramp. If someone is interested in heading this up, i can provide support. Let me know. Dear Andrew, As you may know, after serving for the past seven years as a member of council, I have decided to seek the position of mayor in West Vancouver. A key part of my vision for the future of our community is the development of new strategies to enhance the participation of our citizens in a wide variety of sport and recreation activities. I have no doubt that sport plays a central role in improving the health of our citizens and in building a stronger community. With this in mind, I will be hosting a community forum entitled "The Future of Sport and Recreation in West Vancouver" on the evening of Thursday, May 31st, 7:30-9pm, at the West Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club. At this event I will be speaking briefly about the important role that sports and recreation can play in building community. I also hope to learn more from you about the improvements the district should consider to facilitate greater involvement in sports and recreation throughout the community. I wanted to make sure you received an invitation and hoping you can attend. I would be very pleased if you would be willing to forward this invitation on to key members of your group or organization. I would very much look forward to meeting you and others from the boating community on May 31st. Please register by clicking on the RSVP button below. Sincerely, Mary-Ann Booth, Candidate for Mayor cc: Nancy Henderson, Administrative Assistant |
club info |
Posted on: 2018/09/26 12:27:43 * Reply
Hi all, fall (and elections) are fast approaching and we felt we needed a stronger presence in an attempt to get what we want- access to the water in West Vancouver for trailered vessels.The old boat launch at 14th Street was closed 2 years ago and there has been no effort by the District to replace that coveted amenity that was part of the community for over 50 years. One of our members was kind enough to put together a web site for our group, and we encourage EVERYONE TO REGISTER. this is very important as we try and gather steam- we were even told by a councillor that numbers speak. Our change.org petition in early 2016 had over 800 signatures.Now we need to get people REGISTERED so we can form a strong presence with council members. Please take the time to browse the web site and forward it to as many people as possible. The more West Van residents we have, tthe better, but it is important to get NUMBERS. Thanks and enjoy: amblesideboaters.ca Once we have a base established we will likely communicate via the web site which will be continually updated. Andrew |
club info |
Posted on: 2018/09/26 12:28:42 * Reply
Everyone:Just a reminder that the push for the new boat launch location is on during the election time. I would be interested to hear how many people are strongly in favour of a new launch, otherwise this will fizzle. We have a core group of 4-6 people that are pushing it, but that is NOT enough. Remember that an amenity was removed that had been in place for 50 years. I am relying on people to sign up and gather others to sign up- not just to be a number, but to actually support this initiative. Phil and I have spent 2 1/2 years on this and we are North Van residents- council won't listen to us alone, so we need West Van people and more North Shore people to speak up at all candidates meetings, contact the potential candidates and keep pushing, otherwise, as I said it will fizzle under the Parks staff excuses (they don't really want it... but council did offer support July 24, 2017). Do we think it is only North Van people that use Cates Park? We had a quaint but effective launch. We had access to the water in West Van for the local fishery, local boating, sightseeing etc.and it was taken away. Anyone interested in getting it back? Not only do you need to register at amblesideboaters.ca but you need to make your voice heard to councillors and the future mayor. Let's step it up or risk losing it forever. The problem we have is that we are a fragmented group- we don't have a club house, or a common ground, but we are all boaters that want to get in the water in West Van. please indicate your level of interest by: 1. registering on the web site 2. emailing back and letting us know if you are really interested or want to be taken off this list. 3. Letting us know if you are willing to attend all candidates meetings and keep the launch an active issue 4. help in any other way- petitions, signage etc. Once we weigh the support or lack thereof we will act accordingly. Thanks. Andrew |
mombrittz6 |
Posted on: 2021/08/09 11:14:53 * Reply
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