The boat launch proposed to be constructed on the Ferry Island campground has been withdrawn.
“Although we believed there were merits to the site, we wanted to respect the concerns of those opposed and withdraw the project,” said Michael Hogg, a member of the boating group who had put forth the idea.
“We wanted a project that the community would see as beneficial, which was not the perception of the launch site that was emerging from those who were against it.”
The boating group had originally wanted to decrease congestion at the Kalum River launch by suggesting a launch in city limits.
After looking at various locations, the south side of the new bridge on the inner channel (the area on Ferry Island facing Walmart) was seen as the preferred launch site. The boating group had gathered money from the rotary club and in-kind donations to pay for it and needed city and government approval.
But the city was contacted by residents opposed to the idea, with objections ranging from bad location and increased traffic and noise to impacts on campers and the habitat.
Hogg said various government bodies and businesses had been putting time into the boat launch application, but after the objections, the boating group will be stepping back.
“At present we are not actively pursuing an alternative site,
but nor have we closed the door to considering other prospective sites,” he said.