HORNBY ISLAND, B.C. – The Comox Valley Regional District is looking at upgrading the aging Shingle Spit boat ramp.
At the Dec. 18 CVRD board meeting, a recommendation was put forward that district staff complete an application for the Community, Culture and Recreation grant for the Shingle Spit boat ramp on Hornby Island.
The second part of the recommendation reads that the “expenditure contribution required from the local government be approved in the 2019 financial planning process for an amount not exceeding $95,000 from the Hornby Island Community Parks & Greenways Capital Works Reserve… Fund.”
The boat ramp was brought into the Hornby Island Community Parks service in late 2017 after much consultation with the community, according to a CVRD report.
An engineering assessment of the boat ramp recommended full replacement, with costs ranging from $200,000 to $280,000.
The condition of the boat ramp was shared with the Hornby Island Residents and Ratepayers Association (HIRRA) and the boat ramp committee.
“Although disappointed, they felt the boat ramp was still an invaluable asset to the community and wanted the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) to continue to help pursue the replacement of the ramp,” the report read.
The CCR grant has become available from the province and staff is seeking support for the grant application, utilizing funding from the Hornby Island Community Parks & Greenways Capital Reserve Fund.
The total project costs are projected between $300,000 and $400,000 including other desired improvements such as widening.
The CCR grant covers just over 73 percent of costs, and expenditure from the reserve fund of $95,000 is requested.
The Hornby community will try to fund raise up to $15,000 to contribute to the project.
The application deadline for the grant is January 23rd, 2019.
