Marina Support Continues to Build

VICTORIA, BC – WAM Development Group and its Community Marine Concepts Ltd. partnership says that recent developments show that support for the Victoria International Marina is continuing to grow.

“The string of approvals and motions of support for our project are gratifying and we’re pleased to see them continuing,” says Lachlan MacLean, Vice President, WAM Development Group.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority confirmed its support with a motion that was carried at its recent board meeting in support of the marina project and a diversified working harbour.

The motion reads: “GVHA supports a diversified working harbour, including marina projects, as long as it can be operated in a safe and compatible manner with other harbour activities as determined by regulating authorities. And, GVHA does not support changing current harbour zoning to a non working harbour use.”

The GVHA support comes just a week after NAV CANADA, the country’s civil air navigation services provider, said it has “no objections” to the Victoria International Marina, as far as the impact of the marina on the air navigation system and installations.

“This project continues to gain approvals from every regulatory body that has reviewed it. It has proven itself to be one of the most modern, environmentally-friendly and beautiful marina projects in the world and it will be a valuable addition to Victoria’s middle harbour,” MacLean said.

The proposed marina has been the subject of four years of intense analysis and examination by leading environmental and navigation specialists from both government and the private sector. The federal government has found no negative environmental, navigation or safety issues with the placement or design of the Victoria International Marina.

“We remain confident that the Victoria International Marina will create a key community space for Victoria and generate economic and tourism opportunities for Victoria, Vancouver Island and the coastal communities of British Columbia,” MacLean said.

The last remaining regulatory hurdle is for the provincial Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) to approve the project’s application for a seabed lease. However, the province is waiting for the City of Victoria to complete a re-zoning process that would severely affect the current marina proposal.

Victoria International Marina recognizes there has been a lot of community discussion about the merits of the project. Anyone who would like to examine the facts about the project, including the studies ordered as part of the review process, can visit our website at www.marinafacts.ca.

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For more information contact:
Kim Van Bruggen
Communications Director
250-727-7464