The Editor,
Re. “Row or no for a local lake?” (front page, The Tri-City News, July 20) and “Rowing would hurt Buntzen tranquility” (Letters, The Tri-City News, July 20).
Having attended the recent public information meeting in Anmore and the subsequent presentation to Anmore village council, I found the reception by the majority of those in attendance to be interested and quite positive. Mr. Burgers and Mr. Richardson did a good job explaining how the course would be laid out and did their best to answer questions and address concerns.
The training area would be down the middle of the lake, presenting minimal disruption to fishers and other small watercraft users on the lake.
For most of the year, there would be only one row of white buoys marking a line down the middle of the course.
The buoys marking the lanes would only be in for a few weeks, a couple of times a year.
The coach boats used on the lake would create no wake and be powered by electric motors.
The coaches use a wireless communication system to talk to the rowers during their training sessions, eliminating noise.
It was explained that the lake would be used for training purposes only and that there would never be any competitions hosted.
For most of the summer, when the lake is getting the most use by the public, the majority of the athletes are in Europe competing.
At the Anmore meeting, council expressed concern over the proposed site for the boat house at the end of the east service road, the main concern being that many people use that narrow road as a walking and cycling trail.
Council’s suggestion was to locate the boathouse at the north end of the lake, which would be accessed on the east service road. The road on that side is wider and better maintained.
There is also a lakeshore walking trail that provides hikers with a more scenic option than the roadway.
Mr. Burgers and Mr. Richardson went to the residents and council members of Anmore with their initial presentation to provide residents an opportunity to see the benefits of having an Olympic training site and answer questions on any impact on the community.
Canada’s rowing team has a history of medal success in the world championships and Olympics. This is an opportunity for residents of Anmore, Belcarra and the Tri-Cities to share in the commitment and successes of these elite amateur athletes who would be living in our community as excellent role models for youth.
Jay Sheere, Anmore
