After some heated debate, the Town of Oliver has agreed to waive the water charges to help Loose Bay campground get back on its feet.
Since the campground lost its water supply earlier this year, it has been working to establish a new system. The plan is to hook into a town water line and pump the water up Secrest Hill Road to the campground.
The Town previously agreed to enter into a service agreement with Loose Bay and the regional district, but stipulated that ownership of the system be transferred to the regional district within 18 months.
Last week Area C director Allan Patton said he was under the impression that the project would be jointly-funded between the Town and the regional district. He then asked council members if they wanted Loose Bay to exist.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said the campground does provide relief from transients taking up residence in local parks and the hike and bike trail.
Councillor Dave Mattes said closing Loose Bay would definitely be a detriment to the Town, but he wasn’t convinced that the municipality should be paying the cost to pump water up to the campground.
Mattes said paying these costs won’t eliminate the problem the Town has with transients and related bylaw enforcement issues.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said the Town would be burdened with more enforcement woes (and costs) if Loose Bay closed its doors.
Councillor Jack Bennest expressed his support for Loose Bay, but did not think a joint service agreement was necessary.
“Loose Bay approached us with a problem. Now it has morphed into a huge thing with no consultation with us.”
But Patton said this project should be a significant partnership considering all of the other joint services that Area C and the Town share.
“I’m willing to put in the capital costs from Area C, but Oliver should be a part of it . . . I assumed we would do this together like everything else.”
Patton reminded council members that Area C pays for services within the Town of Oliver but doesn’t own any of them.
At one point the rural director said it appeared the Town was changing its philosophy on joint-use service agreements. If that’s the case, Area C won’t be too eager to be partners in future agreements, Patton inferred.
Water councillor Rick Machial said Loose Bay provides a huge hidden benefit to the Town. “There is no question there were a lot more problems before Loose Bay (was established).”
Water councillor Andre Miller told Patton that he was “holding a hammer” over council’s head.
“I live in Area C and I think that’s a poor attitude to take.”
Councillor Maureen Doerr admitted that she felt angry over Patton’s attitude. “It feels like we are being held hostage.”
Bennest said Patton did not properly communicate with council on this project. “I’m in favour of supplying water, but I’m not in favour of being blackmailed.”
But Patton said he wasn’t blackmailing council, saying Area C would fund it with or without the Town.
Municipal Manager Tom Szalay suggested the regional district pay for the power and capital costs (estimated to be $50,000), while the Town waives the water fees.
In the end, council passed a motion by Mattes to waive the water charges for one year.
Patton admitted that the project is a rush job, but the money is available and the permits are in place. The issue now is the logistics of ordering and receiving the materials.
“We are still looking for donations from residents, farmers and community groups to assist us in achieving our financial targets,” Patton said.
He pointed out that fruit pickers are arriving and staff are offering bottled water for sale at the campsite. Portable bathrooms are also in place, and showers are now available for a reasonable cost at the Oliver pool. Patton said this is a temporary measure until the campsite water is connected.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
