TRAILBLAZING: BITS has plenty planned for the year ahead PAGE 13
$1.50
inc. GST
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2023
VOL. 48 NO. 52
BIUndercurrent
FOCUS ON FOOD Meadowbrook Market’s vision
BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
PAGES 8-9
Hazardous conditions at service yard draw dismay “APPALLING AND EMBARRASSING” RATS, MOLD, LEAD AMONG ISSUES
ALEX KURIAL Editor
BARGE BUSINESS: Homeowner Juan Ramos and residential designer Amy Adams admire the 1908 heritage house which was barged intoTunstall Bay last week.The effort to move the home was complex and required many skilled people, but was ultimately successful.To see more pictures from moving day, and to find out more about the long and storied history of the house, check out Pages 10-11. / Maureen Bowen photo
Cider House receives go-ahead ALEX KURIAL Editor The lengthy saga over a lounge application at the Bowen Cider House looks to have finally reached a conclusion.
There was frustration from both sides throughout the process as the Cider House and its supporters, along with neighbours concerned about the potential changes, frequently appeared before council and each other in a series of meetings and public consultations. Last fall the previ-
ous municipal council endorsed the cidery’s liquor licence request for an indoor and outdoor lounge, but the case was reopened and a further public consultation period ordered by the current council following further neighbour complaints.
A sobering report highlighting the decaying state of Bowen’s public works service yard was delivered earlier this week The municipal site, off Carter Road behind the Mount Gardner Road gas station, is riddled with safety hazards that can be damaging to both humans and the environment. It’s typically home to at least 10 full time public works department staff, but in its current condition is barely fit for occupancy or suitability to perform maintenance work. Director of engineering Patrick Graham detailed the issues to council during their Jan. 23 meeting, beginning with the on-site building staff work out of. Chief among these is a rampant rat infestation, which has now seen the rodents take over much of the building. Each day rat feces and urine needs to be cleaned off various work spaces and surfaces, and the rats also routinely chew through workers clothes and gear. The 65-year-old building has just one small room which serves as the lunchroom, breakroom, and office, along with lockers. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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Tim Rhodes REALTOR® 604.341.9488