Dear Editor:
The recent decision by the District of West Vancouver to close the Ambleside boat ramp (to power boaters) while unfortunate, was predictable and unstoppable. It was the easy way out - conveniently leveraging the Spirit
Trail as justification for the elimination of decades of history. Interesting how Cates Park manages to make things work safely with a five-lane ramp - yet Ambleside “can’t” with one lane. But I digress...and like it or not, the decision has been made.
As part of the dialogue that went with the decision, reference was made to “a long-gone boat ramp under the Lions Gate Bridge.” Well, the ramp is not “long gone” and in fact is still there, but not serviceable. And more importantly, not accessible. The land once associated to that ramp has been consumed by the current Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant and is not accessible by the public.
However, perhaps not all is lost. With the construction of a new sewage treatment plant at the old B.C. Rail station location, the existing Lions Gate plant will be persistent, but its duties will change and it won’t require the same amount of real estate it currently does. A quick look shows the area currently occupied by soon-to-be-defunct settling tanks could be re-purposed for easy in/out parking and the land associated to the current ramp could be made usable pretty easily - if the district wanted it to be and took the reins to make it so.
Just a suggestion. The district could maybe have a look at a partnership with local anglers to upgrade that old ramp to a multi-lane and add in some parking for trailers.
No one expects to use the ramp for free - it would generate revenue, though as with other special purpose public amenities - pools, rinks, libraries, parks, community halls etc. - it would never make money.
And it would provide a safe location to launch small boats - something West Van has provided for years and needs to still.
Rob Stokes
North Vancouver
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