Nix community space in planned Cowichan Bay Fire Hall
Re: May 5 Citizen article, “AAP next month for new Cowichan Bay Fire Hall”
With regard to your May 5 article about the proposed new Cowichan Bay Fire Hall. I note that there is discussion re: including a “community space”. The reason given for this is that “with no community space such as a church or hall in Cowichan Bay, Iannidinardo believes that should be considered when planning the new hall”.
My reaction to this statement is twofold:
The Hub in Cowichan Station community centre is five minutes down Koksilah Road across the highway from the fire hall. While I understand it is not in Cowichan Bay proper, it is still very close and offers the amenities generally found in a community space.
Safety and access to the fire hall. CBVFR is a primarily volunteer department and the firefighters come to the hall when paged out. This means they must have access to close, safe parking in order to roll on a call that much faster. If there is an event happening in the “community space” this could potentially cause parking issues if the lot is full for the event. Not to mention the potential issues if attendees at the event feel the need to come out and watch the trucks roll out. While most people are sensible and stay out of the way, there are almost always one or two who think they know better and wind up in the way.
Please reconsider the inclusion of a “community space” in the plans for this very-much-needed fire hall.
Jan Campbell
Shawnigan Lake