The former stewards of the Oyster Bay Marina are now required to remove the remainder of their assets from the marina.
Earlier this month, the Town of Ladysmith had passed a resolution to pay for some moorage space at the marina for the Ladysmith Maritime Society, but LMS is now required to move its heritage boat fleet and leave the former Ladysmith Community Marina by Thursday, Feb. 29, following a months-long dispute over the marina lease with the town, the province and Stz’uminus First Nation.
On Jan. 1, the Coast Salish Development Corporation, the economic arm of Stz’uminus, took over operations of the marina after the Town of Ladysmith abandoned the lease to facilitate a 2022 reconciliation deal between the province and the First Nation.
In December, the town passed a resolution in a closed meeting allowing the society to continue operating the maritime museum, the heritage boat shed, and 20 feet of moorage space for heritage vessels. The town agreed to fund the moorage for the assets until Dec. 31, 2029, unless the corporation were to cancel the agreement.
READ MORE: Ladysmith Maritime Society tries to maintain presence at marina
According to a news release from the maritime society, on Feb. 15, the corporation’s legal counsel notified the society that it decided to expel the society by Feb. 29, saying “there is no benefit to the marina for LMS to operate within its facility,” and anticipating that the society’s continued presence at the marina would lead to “disruption.”
The corporation did not answer requests for comment, but the Town of Ladysmith confirmed that its understanding is that society has disrupted marina operations, which is a reason why a moorage agreement was not achieved.
“The [corporation’s] decision requires LMS to find alternate space outside the marina for its heritage activities and to secure alternative moorage for its award-winning fleet of heritage boats,” noted LMS president Marnie Craig in the release. “As the situation evolves, LMS remains open to a shared dedication to the well-being of Ladysmith harbour.”
From now until March 8, the marina access road and lower parking lot will be closed for vehicle traffic. The town is removing a concrete block building and a log retaining wall near the marina entrance and stabilizing the slope by armouring it with blast rock.
bailey.seymour@nanaimobulletin.com
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