Dear editor,
About a year ago I wrote a letter to the regional district thanking them for the trail upgrade from the wrecks in Royston north to the boundary of the City of Courtenay. I sent it along to the local paper which also published it.
Around that same time the properties along the shore were brought into the boundaries of the city and named “South Courtenay Expansion Area”. Our area was annexed into the city as well as a large development called “The Ridge” which is located to the west of our property and well away from the Comox Bay and estuary.
The Ridge development was provided with services, both sewage disposal and water, while the properties along the estuary and ocean front were not. I mentioned in my public letter that it would make a lot of sense to extend and connect the Airpark pathway with the Royston pathway while at the same time installing the sewer pipe along the foreshore of these properties.
The city already has the required right of way for most of the distance and should be taking action now. My understanding is that the property owners in the south Courtenay expansion area would be paying for the sewer extension at a cost of nearly $30,000 per household, which at several meetings prior to the expansion was agreed to in principle by the homeowners.
So if it’s not costing the City of Courtenay anything to do this I would prefer that it get done now before the cost goes up. Or perhaps to be more fair, now that we are paying higher taxes for being in the city, do the path and sewer pipe and you pay for it.
Regardless of who pays, I think it should get done.
The community will thank you for it, the little fishes will thank you for it, and the walkers, bikers and commuters will thank you for it.
Can the City have the vision to complete the trail to Royston and also protect the estuary with sewage disposal? I will keep asking.
Stan Wood
Comox Valley