NEW
Weekend Forecast Inside
Knick Knack Nook lends helping hand to local lunches PAGE 4
$1.50
inc. GST
THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2023
SHAKING IT UP
VOL. 49 NO. 29
BIUndercurrent
Durrant bros homer in another Shakers win PAGE 5
BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
BIRCH seeks approval for fourth storey of apartment complex MARTHA PERKINS Contributing Editor
TOP FUND-RACERS: David Bellringer and Michael Henrichsen congratulate themselves on a race well swum at Saturday’s SwimBowen. And congratulations they deserved: they brought in $8,200 in pledges to support people on Bowen Island in active cancer treatment. The SwimBowen event was the last leg of their circumnavigation of the island. The Tunstall Bay event raised a staggering $47,000. See Pages 6 and 7 for story and more photos. / Scott Robarts photo NEW front ding lot er il wat e bu acr 1.76
A re-energized BIRCH team is hopeful that a proposed addition to its affordable housing project will win favour with both BC Housing and Bowen Island Municipality. Bowen Island Resilient Community Housing is asking BIM’s permission to add a fourth storey to its apartment plan at 1033 Miller Road. “We need to maximize what we can fit on the site,” says the non-profit’s executive director, Robyn Fenton. “Three storeys just don’t give us enough units to be able to get enough rent to carry the mortgage and make all of the funding and finances work. “Being able to have the extra number of units is going to make the project financially viable.” The previous three-storey project has 24 units; an additional storey would add six to eight units. If council allows the development variance permit, BIRCH plans to submit its second funding application to BC Housing this fall. When BIRCH’s first application in 2021 was turned down, it took the wind out of the volunteers’ sails temporarily. But, after looking into whether there could be any other funding partners, and determining that there weren’t, last fall BIRCH came back to the project refreshed and hopeful about this year’s application. Without funding from BC Housing, the project will not be able to go ahead. “Verbally the provincial government is very enthusiastic about supporting housing,” Fenton said. “I just think they go about it the wrong way. Historically they went into communities and built housing. They switched that model and now they rely on grassroots groups like ours in communities to say, ‘Hey, we need housing.’” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
AWE-INSPIRING COASTAL ACREAGE Many of you will know this property from garden tours. The owner’s passion, and reverence for the land, has resulted in one of the most cherished gardens on the island. With sweeping vistas of Howe Sound from Black Tusk all the way to the Gulf Islands, this 1.76 acre waterfront property is truly a gem and is now looking for new owners. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity.
1545 EAGLE CLIFF ROAD $2,300,000 Showings by appointment
604.220.7085 buyonbowen.com
TOP 10% of all Realtors in 2022
REBGV MLS Medallion Club Member
MARY LYNN MACHADO PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION