As unexpected as it was disappointing, the Sidney Council, at its May 24 meeting, took the decision to remove from the Iroquois Park improvement project the provision for the Peninsula Chamber’s Visitor Centre. The VC at the corner of Fifth Street and Ocean Avenue has served Washington State Ferry traffic, and our communities, for many years. Adopted by a split vote, the motion reversed a decision, taken months ago, which would have seen the VC building moved to accommodate upgrades to the park but remain within it.
I understand the structure has been sold to Nickel Bros. and will shortly be removed from the site.
This summer, given construction at the park, the chamber’s visitor services have been temporarily relocated inside the Sidney International Ferry Terminal. Adoption of the motion, temporarily at least, sidesteps the town’s and the chamber’s joint plans to continue serving visitors from the Iroquois Park location. It also creates a degree of uncertainty for businesses on the Peninsula and across the region that have benefitted from the Town of Sidney’s successful, long campaign to preserve this international ferry route between Sidney and Anacortes.
I met separately with Mayor Larry Cross and Chief Administrative Officer Murray Clarke immediately after we were informed of the vote, and attended with Denis Paquette and Doug Taylor, our new executive director, a meeting chaired by acting mayor Mervyn Lougher-Goodey last week.
It is evident in these discussions that all involved wish to ensure that the positive impact of this important international ferry service does not stop at the water’s edge.
Let me be clear that our reaction to the disappointing news was to stress the need to move on, and to work collaboratively to strengthen the impact of tourism on the well being of our community. The tourism industry is vulnerable in this post 9/11 world: tourist numbers have not recovered, the Canadian dollar is appreciating, fuel costs are rising and yes, we have the HST. Decisions that affect the business community — the driving force of the local economy on which we all depend — require council’s careful analysis and consideration.
Our Tourism Committee, chaired by Dave Cowen, GM of the Butchart Gardens, will meet to devise a strategy, in light of these new circumstances, which will be presented to the Town of Sidney before the end of June.
John Treleaven, board chair and president, Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce