BC Ferries Gone Berzerk

Have to agree with the February 25th AV Times editorial, BC Ferries is doing its best to scare visitors away from Vancouver Island. To raise the RV and trailer fees from $2.25 to $5.25 per foot is deadly to the Vancouver Island tourism industry. RV’ers just won’t come. They’ll go to the Rockies. At a time when we are actively promoting family camping trips to the Alberni Valley because we are central to an amazing number of world-class attractions and we are affordable, BC Ferries is making it totally unaffordable to get here. At a time when we are trying to attract investors to establish campgrounds and RV services in the valley, BC Ferries is throwing up another huge roadblock. Sure, we can (and we will) entice island vacationers to take “staycations”, but soon they will be storing their RV’s on the mainland for cheaper access to other destinations. Compared to the Lower Mainland, the Pacific Northwest and Alberta, Vancouver Island is a pretty small tourism market. I know…we chose to live on an island…but when our island is billed as the number one island vacation destination in major international travel magazines, we should be making it more affordable to get here, not ridiculously expensive.

It’s good to see that the Alberni Athletic Association has been successful in raising $2.167 million to relocate and construct a new Athletic Hall. Clearly, we need a replacement for the much-utilized hall and locating it with our nucleus of recreational complexes is a wise choice. But, they’re not there yet. The association needs another $300,000 to meet the construction costs of the new building. They are actively canvassing clubs, organizations and businesses for financial support. It’s conservatively estimated that the old facility generated at least $5 million a year through hosting events and tournaments. The association needs the community’s support, despite our tough economical times. Watch for a gala fund raising sportsmen’s dinner coming up this Spring, featuring sportscaster, John McKeachie, and CJAV alumni, Jim Robson. Call the association’s fund raising committee spokesperson, Margaret Hudson, for more information, 723 8990.

It was a heartwarming sight to see the Coulson Flying Tanker drop in front of the floating rings in Vancouver Harbour during the Olympics. We can hear all the details and behind the scenes stuff from Wayne Coulson himself, at our March 10th Chamber Networking Luncheon. It will be held at Chances Rimrock Gaming Centre and you must pre-register by calling our bank of operators standing by at 724 6535.

We are nearing the last call for nominations for Community Excellence Awards. The forms are on our website, avcoc.com or you can fill one out at the Visitor Centre. The Chamber’s AGM and Community Excellence Awards Dinner are on April 15th at Echo Centre.

Thought for the Week:
“Though I am grateful for the blessings of wealth, it hasn’t changed who I am. My feet are still on the ground. I’m just wearing better shoes.” Oprah Winfrey