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Concern over ’09 Salmon Festival
Alberni Valley News
Transformation Centre will not displace Salmon Festival
By Wawmeesh G. Hamilton - Alberni Valley News
Published: February 12, 2009 1:00 PM
The Hupacasath have assured that construction of the Tsu-ma-as Transformation Centre won’t displace the Port Alberni Salmon Festival, but a festival society member isn’t so sure.
“The new facility won’t interfere with the marina, fish cleaning stations or the boat ramp,” Hupcasath CEO Robert Duncan said Monday.
The building’s design would complement the festival, he added. “There’s a wide outer deck on the building, which can serve as a stage. And we’re more than willing to work with community groups to ensure that they are a part of what is being done.”
There will be parking space loss, although it will be isolated, Duncan acknowledged. However, the Hupacasath are making parking available at tribe-owned property near the Alberni Athletic Hall. And parking will also be made available on city-owned property located on Alexander Road. “The boat ramp and trailer parking is not touched at all,” he said.
Salmon Festival Society spokesperson Dan Washington isn’t completely sold on the project. “I want to know if construction will interfere with the 2009 festival.”
Duncan said that could be the case, however, the society would work with festival organizers to minimize disruption.
Washington says he appreciates the society’s offer of opening the facility during the festival, but that going inside would drastically change the event’s flavour.
“You can’t barbecue fish or hamburgers on the terrace,” he said.
Change is at the top of the society’s concerns, he said. “There’s a perfectly good marina there, so why change that,” he asked.
“The salmon festival has been run the way it has for the last 37 years.”
reporter@albernivalleynews.com
Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250
Concern over ’09 Salmon Festival
Alberni Valley News
Transformation Centre will not displace Salmon Festival
By Wawmeesh G. Hamilton - Alberni Valley News
Published: February 12, 2009 1:00 PM
The Hupacasath have assured that construction of the Tsu-ma-as Transformation Centre won’t displace the Port Alberni Salmon Festival, but a festival society member isn’t so sure.
“The new facility won’t interfere with the marina, fish cleaning stations or the boat ramp,” Hupcasath CEO Robert Duncan said Monday.
The building’s design would complement the festival, he added. “There’s a wide outer deck on the building, which can serve as a stage. And we’re more than willing to work with community groups to ensure that they are a part of what is being done.”
There will be parking space loss, although it will be isolated, Duncan acknowledged. However, the Hupacasath are making parking available at tribe-owned property near the Alberni Athletic Hall. And parking will also be made available on city-owned property located on Alexander Road. “The boat ramp and trailer parking is not touched at all,” he said.
Salmon Festival Society spokesperson Dan Washington isn’t completely sold on the project. “I want to know if construction will interfere with the 2009 festival.”
Duncan said that could be the case, however, the society would work with festival organizers to minimize disruption.
Washington says he appreciates the society’s offer of opening the facility during the festival, but that going inside would drastically change the event’s flavour.
“You can’t barbecue fish or hamburgers on the terrace,” he said.
Change is at the top of the society’s concerns, he said. “There’s a perfectly good marina there, so why change that,” he asked.
“The salmon festival has been run the way it has for the last 37 years.”
reporter@albernivalleynews.com
Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250
