Staff recommending RDN take on Orlebar Point responsibilities

Sounder News

Regional District of Nanaimo Area B Director Vanessa Craig, the Regional District of Nanaimo recently posted about potential changes coming to the picnic tables at Orlebar Point.

She said she knows there is a lot of interest in what is going to happen with the benches.

The tables are situated on a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) access.

The picnic tables and some other were installed many years ago.

Notable exceptions she said are the memorial benches, including the one recently placed by family members in memory of Chris Straw and Marc Doré.

While Craig acknowledges the picnic benches need maintenance, MOTI staff indicated some months ago they were not going to maintain the area and were planning on removing the benches.

Committees like the Area B Parks and Open Spaces Committee have recommended the RDN sign a license of occupation with MOTI for the RDN to manage the area, and replace the picnic tables.

The issue will be before the Coming up this week on the Electoral Area Services Committee meeting this Thursday May 9. In the agenda for that meeting is a staff report recommending the RDN sign the license of occupation with MOTI for Orlebar Point.

Craig says the agreement with MOTI would be for 10 years and the RDN would manage the area as a park, similar to other RDN water access parks around the island. Work will include replacing the picnic benches.

Craig says because this will be managed as a community park, the cost of infrastructure improvement and maintenance will be included in the Area B Community Parks service budget line.

The License of Occupation costs $250.

$8,800 was included in the 2024 Area B Parks budget for infrastructure improvements, and an additional $5,000 was included in 2024 (and will be ongoing) for maintenance.

Craig says, “I’m pleased that we’ve reached this point where we can sign this agreement with MOTI (if approved by the Board which I will be advocating for) and ensure that this beautiful picnic area will be maintained! Many thanks to RDN Parks staff who have been working with MoTI on this for many months.”