Mayne Island Renews Pivotal Community Gateway at Miners Bay

Miners Bay is named for the gold miners who frequented this bay from 1858 through the gold rush years. Photo courtesy: Wikiwand

Revitalizing the Miners Bay dock will expand economic potential including tourism

COURTENAY, 30 MAY 2023 – The Capital Regional District (CRD) – Southern Gulf Islands Harbour Commission is embarking on a new project to restore the busy Miners Bay Dock, a community gateway into the vibrant downtown business area of Mayne Island with investment support from Island Coastal Economic Trust’s Capital and Innovation Program.

Miners Bay dock is a critical piece of infrastructure relied on heavily by tourists and islanders. Tourism is the primary economic driver for Mayne Island and, since 2016, the population of locals has also risen nearly 40%. While the island has had many iterations of a community dock over the past 145 years, new investment is required.

“This project has had a lot of community support and a lot of dedicated volunteers have been involved,” says Brian Deardon, Capital Regional District Southern Gulf Islands (SGI) Harbour Commission Chair. “People understand how vital it is as a gateway to the heart of Mayne Island and its vibrant business community, and also to the nearby island communities of Galiano, Pender, Saturna, and Salt Spring Island.”

The dock is used for several important transportation connectivity priorities as a high-traffic area. People arrive and depart from Miners Dock by private boats, water taxis and seaplanes. The water ambulances access the Island from here, there is commercial shopping with floating businesses, and it is a popular spot for recreational sightseeing.

“The community collaboration in this project is commendable and it will serve as a complement to the CRD Regional Trail and investment in the regional and community parks along Mayne Island,” says Paul Brent, CRD Electoral Area Director.

The project will include new decking, benches, and railings, a shelter for visitors including water taxi and float plane users, as well as signage and interpretive panels in a later phase. The project has strong community support with over 30 residents, businesses, and organizations backing the project through letters of support.

“It’s exciting to see the level of community engagement around this project, which is critical to Mayne Island,” says Aaron Stone, Chair, Island Coastal Economic Trust.  “We are proud to help support an initiative like this that will attract visitors, improve safety, and ensure the island’s economic health well into the future.”

“I am thrilled the Miners Bay dock upgrade project has the support from funding from the Island Coastal Economic Trust. This is a critical project for the Mayne Island community, the dock is a key socioeconomic link for the community,” says Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “This is an excellent example why I have fought, and will continue to fight, to have the provincial government support a long-term future for the Trust.”

The Miners Bay Dock Revitalization project is supported through the Capital and Innovation Program. The Trust will contribute $30,000 to a total project budget of $90,000. The project will be underway imminently.

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About Island Coastal Economic Trust

Founded by the Province of British Columbia in 2006, the Island Coastal Economic Trust works to build a sustainable and resilient coastal economy in reciprocal relationships with First Nations, municipalities, and regional districts across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution. Serving over half a million residents, we partner with communities in the development and financing of their economic infrastructure and diversification efforts through our unique structure that is led by, and accountable to, communities.

Since our inception, Island Coastal Economic Trust has approved more than $59 million to economic development initiatives that have attracted over $322 million in new investment to our region. These investments have created over 2,750 permanent jobs, and countless positive impacts, across the coast.

Island Coastal Economic Trust acknowledges that we work for communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda’xw, Pəntl’áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.

Media Contacts

Brodie Guy
CEO
Island Coastal Economic Trust
brodie@islandcoastaltrust.ca
250-871-7797

Andy Orr
Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492