Lucky Saltair, Ladysmith & Chemainus residents were delighted to witness a rare visit by a family of killer whales (Orcas). The adults and baby whales put on quite a show while cruising near Davis Road Lagoon and Ladysmith Harbour.
Thank you to Photographers Art Carlyle and Shawn Wagar.
Photo Credit Shawn Wagar
Little baby Orca peeping his head out of the water! Photo Credit: Art Carlyle
Ladysmith Harbour – Orca sightings Photo Credit: Art Carlyle
Saltair Society is pleased to announce the completion of the Saltair Centre roofing project.
Our Torch On roof consists of two layers of modified asphalt that are usually melted together by a torch – hence the name. This creates a roof that is resistant to ultraviolet light and a waterproof barrier, ideal for Vancouver Island’s wet and rainy climate.
Because it is tear and puncture resistant, a torch-on roof will need less repairs over its lifetime. The roofing material won’t melt in the sun or become brittle. It is fire resistant.
You can expect a long life from a properly applied torch-on roof. Because of its durability, typically a span of 20 years, if installed by a professional roofing company. The Centre’s roof was installed by TopLine Roofing and has been inspected and approved by West Coast Roofing Inspection Services.
Wondering what is happening at the Saltair Community Center?
Well, blue skies and warm temperatures have allowed for the much anticipated Saltair Centre re-roofing project to begin.
Inside, the Centre is a hive of activity with daycare, fiber arts, massage therapy, mom’s group and a large co-op of Artist’s creating wonderful works of art.
Community spirit and energy is alive and well in Saltair.
Posted by Saltair Society
“By all accounts our first Saltair community caroling event was a success! Everyone contributed through making donations to the event, attending planning meetings for the event, preparation tasks for the event and or actually working at the event. Considering the weather and it being the first, the outdoor event was well supported by the community. Media attended and businesses that we approached supported us( The Great Canadian Dollar Store and Save on Foods). This event included volunteers from outside Saltair. We are fortunate to have the centre as a gathering place for this and other Saltair community events in the future.”
Submitted by : Debbie Neil
Photos provide by: Tim Godau and Debbie Neil
Interesting version of “Twelve Days of Christmas”!
LEMON: The Mt. Brenton School was sold by the Cowichan Valley School District #79 for $650,000 to a private entity after it had been a public asset for 50 years.
LEMONADE: Ten years elapsed since the sale. The buyers knew the problems of P1 institutional zoned property. The property was put on sale as part of a quick estate sale for $495,000 and eventually bought by the CVRD for $300,000
LEMON: Fear of buying an old building was induced after two attendees at a public meeting told horror stories about the Port Alberni Senior Secondary School and the Bank of Nanaimo. The possible millions to tear down asbestos-loaded buildings (which the school was not) caused angst.
LEMONADE: This triggered studies for asbestos, air quality and water quality, which was a good thing so that we could be aware of the building status.
LEMON: The residents did not know how to evaluate the numbers and interpret what the studies actually meant to the status of the building.
LEMONADE: Interpretation by CVRD staff of the reports concluded that simple remediation and precaution could eliminate the dangers.
LEMON: A dispute developed between initial Saltair Society board members on whether to form a commission under the CVRD, like the Parks Commission, or form a non-profit society independent of the CVRD with less taxation.
LEMONADE: The Society board was cut in half and became a cohesive and directed effort to move forward with a society and operate the building as a community centre.
LEMON: Gas tax money was controlled by CVRD staff for CVRD directed projects.
LEMONADE: A move was made to the control of gas tax money to Electoral Areas, which allowed gas tax to be used on the Saltair Centre as $130,000 for upgrades and $256,000 for the water system upgrades.
LEMON: An engineering report was done to see what would need to be done to bring the Centre up to standard. Protestors created a petition and went door -to-door saying that it would cost $3 million to bring the Centre up to standard. Not so,
LEMONADE: The Society got their own estimates as to what would need to be spent to fix the building. The cost of the roof, the furnaces and gym renovations were seen to be much less than the engineering report, thus no rise in taxes necessary.
LEMON: A resident filed a complaint with WorkSafeBC about a leaking roof.
LEMONADE: This changed the status of the building from a planned renovation to an emergency. This forced the Society to do the upgrades now.
LEMON: The CVRD was forced to honour their lease with the Society by keeping the building in safe condition. The Society was also forced to honour their agreement with the ILM daycare. About 60 children and nine daycare staff depend on it. Art groups have also made investments in the building as well.
LEMONADE: The CVRD needed to speed up the upgrades. The current budget, with no rise in taxation, will allow the upgrades to proceed because the building will be paid off. Time actually helped fix the money problem. The $130,000 gas tax along with $31,000 reserve and a small loan will allow this to happen now.
Submitted by Area G Saltair Director Mel Dorey
UPDATE: Electoral Area Directors Regular Board Committee meeting was held November 29th, 2017 and the following resolution was approved:
| Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | 1:30 PM | Regular Board Meeting |
| STAFF REPORTS | |
| At the direction of the Chair, the agenda was varied by moving up Item SR1 due to the number of public in attendance for this item. | |
| SR1 | Staff Report from the Parks & Trails Division Re: Replacement of the Saltair Community Centre Roof System |
| 17-472 | It was moved and seconded:
1. That emergency capital replacement of the roofing system and interior repairs at the Saltair Community Centre be approved, with estimated costs not to exceed $300,000 funded first by $130,000 Community Works Gas Tax, $33,000 from Operating Reserves with the remainder funded through a maximum of $137,000 in Short Term Borrowing; 2. That a maximum of $137,000 in short term borrowing for the emergency replacement of the roofing system and interior repairs at the Saltair Community Centre be approved, and that the loan be paid back over five years pursuant to Liabilities under Agreements Section 175 of the Community Charter; and 3. That a contract be awarded to Top Line Roofing Ltd. in the amount of $154,649 (excluding taxes) for emergency replacement of the roof system on the Saltair Community Centre based on their quote received dated November 7, 2017. |
| Opposed: Director L. Iannidinardo | |
| MOTION CARRIED |
Winner of the 2017 Saltair Halloween Costume contest!
Costume: Fire engine, Dalmatians complete with a burning building. Well done!
Saltair volunteer residents once again came together to host the Halloween event at Centennial Park. The weather was on our side as 60 very well-costumed children paraded around the picnic shelter for just rewards, including the grand prize of “Ice Cream for a Year”, donated by 49th Parallel Grocery, well earned by a fire department-inspired family.
Approximately, 150 residents gathered around the traditional bonfire, enjoying hotdogs, coffee, hot chocolate and juice. The evening was capped off with a spectacular fireworks display organized by local residents.
It takes a lot of people working together to make events like this a success. Many thanks to the Beadle, Irving, Fotheringham, Hockin, Wilson, Key, Rutti, Milne, Brocklebank, MacDowell, Evans, Dorey, Wright families and the CVRD. Also, thanks to 49th Parallel Grocery, Great Canadian Dollar Store and Dairy Queen for being sponsors again this year.
Submitted by Area G Director Mel Dorey
Saltair Artist: Lyle Duxbury Born 1935 – Died July 4th 2016
“Forms, colour and medium, reflect my whims and persona. They are swept away on an odyssey filled with metaphysical shadows that drift in and out on a wake of alpha, beta, and delta waves. Born out of this ebb and flow are man and animal forms that are interdependent, one to another, as they float cheek to jowl in my metaphysic sea. The collective aesthete paints society all hues. When one colours over and beyond the lines of the status quo it is labeled ART”
Lyle began painting at the age of 4. He was an honours graduate at Vancouver School of Art and taught at the Vancouver Institute of Art. He lived in Mexico, Toronto and Chemainus before landing in Saltair. His awards and galleries that displayed his works spanned the globe – Canada, USA, Mexico, Japan, Spain
To his neighbours he was the artist who cared deeply about his art, took long walks, and once owned a lovely peacock named Leonardo.
In his later years he was grateful for the help he received from his neighbours. People with that Saltair community spirit mowed his lawns, took him to appointments, took him shopping, put up a chain link fence, brought his groceries, and generally made sure he was okay.
He will be missed in Saltair and the world art community.
Written and submitted by Diana McTavish, September 20th, 2017
SALTAIR COMMUNITY CENTRE PURCHASE.
The old Mount Brenton School sold to private interests for $650,000 years ago and then was put up for sale for $750,000 some years later. The school was the social centre of Saltair with school activities and community functions when it was operating. We were socially poorer when it closed. Then three years ago in an estate settlement with a rush to sell, it came on the market again which seemed like a great opportunity to get our social community back again from private interests. The CVRD then bought the school with five and a half acres of prime real estate for $300,000.
From the studies of psychologists and social scientists it is proven that communities with lots of opportunities for social interaction are happier communities. The more opportunities you have to meet and relate to people the happier you will be. Having a chat with someone, even a stranger, causes a release of the happy hormone called ocytocin into the bloodstream. And it is also important to be able to walk or bike these events for a healthier body and less weight gain. Exercising releases endorphins into the bloodstream and if you walk on a natural trail you get an extra dose. Having a facility in your community is better than having one in a neighbouring community where you have to drive.
Saltair Community Society continues to successfully operate the community centre. Income is generated from monthly rental fees received from anchor tenant Inquiring Little Minds Daycare. The Daycare also covers a good portion of utility expenses such as electricity and heating. ILM was already in operation prior to the purchase of the property by the CVRD and have single handedly kept the interior of the classrooms and common areas in good repair. Economically, they employ up to nine staff and provide sought after daycare space for up to 60 children. Daycare is an important service to our Community.
The Society is in the process of securing other community service oriented renters to further bolster anchor tenant income funds. This rental income is being accrued with the intention to contribute financially to the upgrades to the building. Various rooms are still available for social events, public meetings, educational training, Parks Commission, Advisory Planning Commission, SDRA, Elections, garden clubs, arts and crafts groups, and photography studio use.
The Saltair Community Building Condition Assessment report will be utilized to apply for applicable grant funding. Social fund raising and donation events are also being planned to assist with future upgrade costs.
The financial contributions by taxpayers has been very reasonable and fair to date considering what they are getting. During the purchase period over five years, it is costing each family in Saltair about $40 per year which is about a half a tank of gas. There was a building assessment done by Vancouver Engineering firm that said that it would be $3,000,000 to put the building into like new condition. This is a scary number unless you analyse all the details. We don’t need to reclad the whole building with hardi plank when a good paint job would do. We don’t need new floors, windows or doors. The users will not mind the patina of age and character. We do need a good roof. There are four roofs on the building and a phased approach can be taken. One roof needs to be fixed soon and we have $130,000 of federal gas tax grants to help with that. It is hoped that the continued rate of taxation will allow the building to be used well into the future. The CVRD is drawing up a financial plan for moving forward that will be amenable to the public. We need to be patient.
Unfortunately, there is a naysayer group of about 6 who are out in the community trying to undermine the project using fear and intimidation. This is having a very negative effect on the emotional well being of Saltarians and community spirit. This is exactly the opposite of what the project was supposed to do. We need a wait and see approach. Let the Society continue and prove that the centre is viable and needed.
Submitted by: Mel Dorey, Area G Director, Saltair and the Islands, CVRD
Saltair Community Society continues to successfully operate the community centre. Income is generated from monthly rental fees received from anchor tenant Inquiring Little Minds Daycare. The Daycare also covers a good portion of utility expenses such as electricity and heating. ILM daycare was already in operation prior to the purchase of the property by the CVRD and have single handedly kept the interior of the classrooms and common areas in good repair. Economically, they employ up to nine staff and provide sought after daycare space for up to 60 children. Daycare is an important service to our Community.
Saltair is such a small hamlet that it isn’t on most maps, but there are many significant places with a rich history in this little unincorporated town. We marvel at our surroundings. The beauty of the ever-changing water, meadows and mountains is breath taking.
In the fall of 2016 some members of the Saltair Community Society suggested that it would be nice to do something special for Canada’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. Among other ideas, someone asked me if I would head such a project and create a quilt that would portray the area and celebrate this special occasion.
It had been a dream of mine for several years to create a quilt that would help represent this small community in a worthy manner and let people know about a unique way of life by those of us who have come from far and wide to live in this pristine setting. I have been a part of this community since 1975 and love how people interact and celebrate each significant holiday with each other.
Our newly created Community Centre became the perfect place for a small group of quilters to meet every week. They agreed to contribute their talents to this massive project. We called ourselves “The Saltair Quilters”. The work began in November 2016 and that is how my dream became a reality.
After putting this wonderful art project together I spent a total of 64 hours quilting it. I want to make special mention of Mary Chudy from the Crofton Quilters who created and contributed the organza leaves. Then my friend Bronwen Cossey serged the quilt panels and the borders. The Saltair Quilters spent a happy day attaching the leaves in a way that represents the falling leaves of autumn and the passing of time.
Did you find the Big Rock and Stocking Creek Falls? Look for the Old Plantation and the Station House. What about the Saltair Pub and Porter’s Dairy? There is the entrance to Diana Park and not to forget the Coastal Messenger, the ship that has been sailing these seas for many years, bringing the Good News wherever it docked. Then there is the Davis Lagoon Bridge, without which it would be impossible to access Saltair from the north end.
To those of you who have lived in this unique community for many years and also to those of you who have found this hamlet more recently and decided to call it “home”, we are thrilled to present this quilt.
Christa Stegemann
