BCF puts terminal redevelopment for Gabriola on hold

Derek Kilbourn

Sounder News

The Gabriola Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) announced on March 22 that the Terminal Redevelopment Plans for the Gabriola ferry route have been put on hold until further notice.

This announcement came after the FAC was given this news by representatives of BC Ferries.

At an FAC meeting with BCF last September, BCF had already said the terminal redevelopment wouldn’t happen until 2028.

Work – including public consultation and applications to the Islands Trust – began on terminal redevelopment in March of 2019.

Despite the indefinite hold put on terminal redevelopment, BCF says it still plans to replace the current vessels serving Gabriola with two new fully electric Island Class vessels in 2027.

BCF also plans to have the infrastructure in place to charge those vessels at the Descanso and Nanaimo Harbour terminals.

In an email to FAC members, Tamara Olsen, Community Relations Manager for BCF said the decision to indefinitely hold off on terminal redevelopment is one of the results of the company’s annual capital planning review.

“We review our capital plan regularly to ensure it’s helping us achieve those goals. Inevitably, that means some tough decisions as we must work within our budget.”

Olsen wrote that the budget review ended with prioritizing two main aspects of the BCF capital investment plan

1. The work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of BCF infrastructure

2. The delivery of vessels to replace an aging fleet and meet the growing capacity demands of the communities served by BCF, and the replacement of berths required to support new vessel introductions.

Olsen wrote, “as a result, we have had to defer or adjust the scope of some of our previously planned projects to work within available funds.

“Although some adjustments have been made, our plans continue to include $356 million in capital investments this year, and approximately $2.2 billion over the next four years (Performance Term Six). We also plan to pursue additional funding opportunities that would allow us to re-evaluate capital expenditures before the end of the next performance term (March 31, 2028). We will keep you updated as we continue to re-evaluate.”

Heather O’Sullivan, FAC co-Chair, posted a statement to the FAC web site explaining this news to Gabriolans.

“The Gabriola Terminal Development Plan identified many opportunities for improvement, particularly in the areas of pedestrian, cyclist, and traffic safety.

“BC Ferries has been reluctant to address most of these issues outside of the Plan. Despite a number of concerns raised by the FAC, the messaging has been clear that BCF preferred to wait until the Terminal Development Project was underway.

“Now that there is no longer a timeline in place for the TDP, the Gabriola FAC looks forward to working expediently with BC Ferries and their partners to enhance passenger safety in the area of the terminal.”

She says it is anticipated that more information will be available from BC Ferries soon.

Olsen reiterated the priority will be being on work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of BCF infrastructure or Gabriola Island residents and customers travelling on the route. As a result, uplands work at both Descanso Bay and Nanaimo Harbour terminals has been deferred for the foreseeable future.

“The Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island terminal projects will focus on improvements to the marine infrastructures at both terminals. This includes the addition of a lay-by berth at Nanaimo Harbour that will enhance the safety and efficiency of vessel docking, and reduce weather cancellations of the second vessel on this route.”

She confirmed the electric vessels are expected to be in service by 2027.

“We have heard community concerns around safety at the terminals, and while no uplands work is planned for the terminals, we are committed to staying connected with our partners including Islands Trust, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, local transit and other stakeholders, to work on operational improvements for vehicle staging, lighting, traffic control and communication.”