Vancouver Island Office Nanaimo

Trouble for the ferry corporation likely means trouble for Nanaimo

News that B.C. Ferries plans to cut back its ferry services on major routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland couldn't come at a worse time for Nanaimo.

B.C. Ferries announced last week that the corporation will ask the province for permission to cut as many as 400 sailings a year from major routes as a costcutting measure in an effort to slash a shortfall, projected to be as much as $40 million, during this fiscal year.

The cuts would affect off-peak months and not holidays, B.C.

Ferries' chief executive officer David Hahn said at the corporation's AGM on Wednesday.

Long weekends still may have additional sailings and there are no plans to cut trips on minor or northern routes, according to Hahn.

But with two major ferry routes operating from Nanaimo, as well as the ferry that serves Gabriola Island, the city may suffer much of the brunt of B.C. Ferries' reduction plans at a time when it is still struggling through hard economic times.

Residents depend on ferry services for quick and efficient transportation between the city and the Mainland for personal and business purposes, and hundreds of thousands of tourists from all across North America have traditionally used the ferries to access Vancouver Island.

As well, approximately 600 ferry workers reside and pay taxes in Nanaimo, and with negotiations soon set to begin on a new contract, efforts to also cut into staff time to help deal with the financial shortfalls has union officials fearing for the future of its members, as well as the Island.

Pascal Courty, an economics professor at the University of Victoria, said there's no doubt that reducing availability of ferries between Nanaimo and the Mainland will further harm an already beleaguered economy in the region.

"Increasingly isolating the Island by reducing ferry services will see less people doing business in Nanaimo," Courty said.

"B.C. Ferries is a monopoly that operates under no threat of competition so it doesn't see the need for innovations to its service to make it more efficient and competitive, which means that at times there are long waiting times for ferries while at other times, they run half empty. It's not a well-run corporation.

Vancouver Island Military Museum Finds New Home in Nanaimo

NANAIMO - The Vancouver Island Military Museum has a new home thanks to Nanaimo City Council. The Vancouver Island Military Museum will be moving into the old Centennial Museum building in Piper Park across from the boat basin and next to the Port Theatre. The move will likely take place in early 2012 when the Military Museum’s current lease agreement runs out.

In June Council directed staff to work with both the Nanaimo Museum and Nanaimo Military Museum Societies to draft a lease agreement. Both organizations will pay for all operating costs for the building. In addition, the Military Museum will provide additional funds yearly to go toward capital improvement for the building. The Vancouver Island Military Museum is also contributing toward the cost of initial upgrades indicated as necessary. The City will contribute in 2012 towards a new roof, electrical and HVAC upgrades from funds set aside for Piper Park improvements.

Mayor John Ruttan says, “Council is very pleased to be able to work with both organizations in utilizing this facility and finding a new home for the Military Museum. In addition, both organizations will be covering the operating costs for the building and are committed to working with the City on ongoing capital improvement funding.”

Roger Bird, President of the Vancouver Island Military Museum Society says, “We are very excited to have a future home in the Centennial Building at Piper Park and we are certainly looking forward to having the opportunity to be part of the downtown cultural community in partnership with the City of Nanaimo and The Nanaimo Museum.”

The Military Museum will use the two upper floors of the building and the Nanaimo Museum Society will continue to use a portion of the lower floor for storage. Both organizations will share a workshop on the lower floor. The organizations will share the operating costs, estimated to be $30,000.00/year. 70% of the costs will be covered by the Vancouver Island Military Museum and the remaining 30% will be contributed by the Nanaimo Museum. The lease will be for ten years and will require the approval of the electors. This Alternative Approval Process will begin in September.

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