NANAIMO – Users of the Nanaimo Boat Basin Marina and City residents are invited to contact a new marine user working group with their ideas on the future of the facility.
The Boat Basin Marina is located in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, south of the Newcastle Channel. Nanaimo Port Authority is developing a new plan for the marina.
Dr. Michelle Corfield, the newly elected Chair of the Board, wants to encourage community engagement in the plan, including the Snuneymuxw First Nation and the City of Nanaimo.
“This aligns with our vision for Nanaimo; the development of solutions where many are encouraged to work together” Corfield says.
The marina user working group is still in development but is expected to include many boat basin users: fishermen, the fuel dock, Protection Island residents, sea plane operators, waterfront businesses, and pleasure craft owners.
Construction timing and funding of the project still need to be determined. Port Authority President & CEO Ewan Moir says, “Working with our community partners for the long-term benefit of the city and region is a very important part of our business philosophy and this suggestion, as a way forward for the boat basin marina, emphasizes our Board’s commitment to that philosophy”.
The Boat Basin Marina was granted to the Nanaimo Harbour Commission in 1961 under the Federal Harbour Commissions Act. It was used primarily by local commercial fisherman when local waters were abundant with fish resources.
The Nanaimo Port Authority continued management of the marina in 1998 under the Canada Marine Act. Over the past two decades, the user base has evolved to a combination of commercial fisherman, tug boat operators, visiting and annual pleasure boaters, and commuters from Protection Island and the other local Islands.
The seaplane terminal, Pioneer Waterfront Plaza, W.E. Mills Landing, the marina office and the marina comfort station plus floating restaurants and the harbourside walkway have been added to the Boat Basin since 1985.
Questions about participation in the marina user working group should be directed to the Chair of the Board.
