A web camera is out of the picture for Colliery Dam Park.
Nanaimo city council decided against installing a camera at lower Colliery Dam Park during an open meeting Monday, with concerns about cost and buy-in from the public.
Councillors asked staff in December to look into options, timelines and costs for a 24-hour web camera so people could view a multimillion-dollar spillway construction project from home.
A staff report shows a temporary, wide-angle camera that refreshes static images every 10-15 seconds, similar to one that shows B.C. Ferries terminal conditions, would cost an estimated $3,000 and $900 annually to operate.
Coun. Jim Kipp called it a waste of money and Coun. Diane Brennan said while she hasn’t seen members of the public suggesting it's a good idea or a good expense, she’s seen many who’ve said it’s not.
Coun. Wendy Pratt said she was not convinced a camera would make much difference with the city already showing daily images of site progress on its website, adding she wouldn't mind if the city looked at moving tape at the site to allow people closer to the work.
Coun. Bill Yoachim was the only councillor in favor of the web cam. Mayor Bill McKay was absent.