Before I begin, I’d like to admit that I have no editorial this issue. The following is just bits of random thoughts with no discernable unifying thread.
It’s nice to see that you can always pack a public meeting on Bowen. Even in the middle of what is turning into quite a pleasant summer. This island is indisputably one of the most pleasant places on the planet to spend August and this is due, in no small part to the passion and zeal with which we, its citizens, strive to find the perfect balance between preserving that which is best about our island and working to accommodate the pressures brought about by a booming economy.
There was the debate where the conservation of Fairy Fen was pitted against the future vehicle access to the Cape Roger Curtis area. (An acceptable compromise appears likely.) Now there’s the proposal by John Reid, Neil Boyd et al to do some subdividing and transfer some density across the island. The application is quite well thought out and has some interesting rationales. However, not all the neighbours are enthused, a covenant would have to be removed, and concerned citizens question whether the amenities proposed by the applicants offer fair value to the community. This debate is bound to continue for some time and will eventually set a precedent for how residential subdivision is handled in the future.
But, enough about politics, its summer, and the beaches are crowded, the Sound is dotted with boats and kayaking off Bowen has become a favorite pastime of the yuppies of Vancouver.
It seems that Lower Mainlanders have found a new place to show their relatives visiting from back east. On Monday they go to Blaine and Steveston, Tuesday it’s the Capilano Suspension Bridge and up a mountain and Wednesday it’s a ferry ride to Bowen. When they get here they go for a walk in the park, have lunch on a terrace and comment on how rich Bowen Islanders must be to be able to afford the ferry.
Our summer festivities are virtually tripping over each other. Starting with the Festival and Classic Car Show at Artisan Square to the P.P.P. Tour, the Dock Dance, the Baseball Tournament, the Dog Days of Summer, the Friends of the Library Used Book Sale, the Round Bowen Races, the Run for the Ferry, Concerts in the Park, Bowfest and numerous other entertainment events.
Of course the B&B business has grown from almost nothing ten years ago to a thriving little industry today. And speaking of thriving little industries I took a look around Artisan Square and realized it has become more of a campus than a shopping area. Classes include preschool, dancing, piano, singing, yoga, chocolate making, English (if you happen to be Japanese), and primary education (if you happen to be Montessori).
Speaking of local business; business is so good that the business owner’s major problem is finding staff, even the teen centre’s job placement service appears to have more jobs than teens. While a small labour pool is definitely a challenge it’s certainly better than the alternative of not needing staff because you don’t have enough customers.
Real Estate sales are still brisk and we’re now seeing more old timers taking their profits and moving to some place smaller with a slower pace and lower real estate prices. While we miss these individuals we realize that communities either grow or die. I can’t think of one vital, thriving community that isn’t growing with the economy. Some people are swept along by events. Others make a conscious decision about where to live. Most of the people who live on Bowen chose very deliberately to move here. We aren’t here because the company transferred us or there happened to be a home in our price range. Living on an island is such a pain in the neck that only those who really understand the value of being away from the city last here more than a couple of years.
For those of you who worry about the future of Bowen, afraid that we’ll just become another cookie cutter suburb, don’t worry too much. We won’t let it happen. There aren’t going to be 200 townhouses in the Cove or a loop road in the park. The population of Bowen is becoming very sophisticated. We have an inordinate number of highly educated and articulate people. Most are far too busy with their own lives to get involved with local politics. However, if the need arose, I’m sure that the more headstrong pro-development types could be brought to heel quite smartly.
When we moved here there were wild horses that occasionally ran down the main street right through Snug Cove. Now, I sit on my deck on summer Sunday afternoons and listen to concerts in the park. One isn’t better than the other, just different. On balance I think that most long term year round residents agree that development has proven to be a good thing. We just have to make sure that we don’t end up with too much of a good thing.
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