All Stations Archives - Island Corridor Foundation

Courtenay Train Station

cwieler — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:01:02 +0000

We recently secured and cleaned up the Courtenay Station, we worked with a local student to do the work needed to secure the station.

Once the window coverings were in place William Munro shared his experience with us.

Thank you for opportunity to work for the Island Corridor Foundation to cleanup and secure the Courtenay Railway Station. It was a great experience for me and I believe you will be very happy with our results. I have attached some pictures of the work we have completed.
I have a very interesting story that I would love to share with you about my experience working at the train station. My father and I spent the first week in June securing the perimeter of the building. We covered every door and window with plywood except for the main entrance that has a metal grate door.
The second week we went back to the train station to clean the inside of the building. When we went in I noticed that the stairs to the attic in the loading bay had been lowered to the ground. I thought it was very interesting that the stairs were down and the previous week they were raised to the ceiling. I assumed that someone with a key had been in the building as the outside perimeter was secure.
I thought I would go up the stairs into the attic to see what was up there. I climbed the stairs to the roofline and slowly opened the big attic hatch door. The place was in complete darkness and I could not see anything in the blackness. I got my IPhone and turned on the flashlight and scanned the room. Crouched over in the corner was a homeless man… all I could see were the whites of his eyes staring back at me. It absolutely freaked me out and I ran down the stairs. We yelled at the man to come down and called the police. The poor homeless man came down from the attic with a broken backpack and a sleeping bag. He was absolutely filthy and covered in black dirt.

We asked him how he got into the building and he took us outside and pointed at a small access panel. He then pulled out a bolt and a hasp and gave it to my father. The homeless man had worked the bolt out and opened this panel. The panel was used as a coal chute in the early days to get the coal to the basement for the coal fired burner. The man had been climbing up and down the coal chute to get access to the building. We felt very sorry for the man as he slowly walked down the railway tracks. This is one crazy story that I will never forget. We secured the hatch so that it cannot be accessed again.
Our Destination Imagination Team managed to raise enough money for us to attend the Global Destination Imagination competition in Knoxville Tennessee. Our 22 gram balsa wood structure held the second highest amount of weight of 985 lbs. The first place winner of the competition held 1010 lbs.

Out of 67 teams that entered the structural design competition, our team came in first in Canada, third in North America, and fifth in the world. It was an absolutely amazing experience for our team.
I wanted to personally thank you for giving me this contract to clean up and secure the Courtenay Railway Station. The funds that I have raised helped to cover some of the expenses for my trip to the Destination Imagination Global Competition. The remaining money will go to my next adventure of travelling to Germany on a student exchange program in 2018.
Please keep me in mind if you have any further jobs or projects where you might require some help. I am always looking for opportunities in life and any help is always appreciated. Thanks.
Sincerely,
William Munro

The post Courtenay Train Station appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.

Board Meeting Notes April 2017

cwieler — Thu, 04 May 2017 00:02:07 +0000

Annual General Meeting well attended
Approximately 40 people attend the annual general meeting April 27th, 2017 at the
Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Reports from the auditors, the solicitor, the
Chair and CEO as well as presentations from the rail operator, Southern Rail and
the business plan consultant filled the agenda. A full report can be found on the
website. Directors elected to a two year term were Ken McRae – ACRD, Alec McPherson
– RDN, Albie Charlie – Cowichan Tribes, Jim Tatoosh – Hupacasath First Nation and
Mary Ashley – Director at large.

Board Appointments
Dr. Judith Sayers will remain chair of the ICF Board of Directors for the next year
and Mayor Phil Kent will take on the role of vice-chair. John Berikoff will serve
another year as Financial Officer and Nicole Norris will continue in the role of
Firsts Nation Liaison. Graham Bruce, CEO was named secretary. These are one year
terms.
Commuter Train Working Group
Don McGregor, SVI Island Project Manager and Singh Biln, SVI Community Relations
will represent the ICF and SVI as members of the Ministry of Transportation working
group to draft terms of reference for a feasibility study for commuter service
between Victoria and Langford. The Ministry has stated the feasibility report is
to be completed by July.
ICF Business Plan
The ICF Business Plan revision has received significant public submissions. Because
of the interest the Board has extended the public comment process until May 19 2017.
This is the first step of the review process. Public input will be reviewed by the
directors and then the Board will update the plans goals and objectives where necessary.
It is anticipated further public comment will then be sought. Click here to read
more about the business plan , click here to give us your feedback
Courtenay Station Looking For New Partner(s)
Courtenay Rotary is bowing out of the station restoration project after saving the
building with a new roof and upper siding. The restoration of the heritage station
has become a bigger project than what Rotary is able to take on at this time. The
search for community partners and possible tenants will continue.

Entrance Improvements to the Duncan Station
The Cowichan Historical Society received confirmation of funding for entrance improvements
to the Duncan Station. The $81,000 grant will also assist in the development of
the First Nation Gallery and the Asian Gallery. The station has been the home of
the Cowichan Valley Museum for many years.

The post Board Meeting Notes April 2017 appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.

AGM 2017

cwieler — Tue, 02 May 2017 23:40:02 +0000

Approximately 40 people attend the annual general meeting April 27th, 2017 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Reports from the auditors, the solicitor, the Chair and CEO as well as presentations from the rail operator, Southern Rail and the business plan consultant filled the agenda. Directors elected to a two year term were Ken McRae – ACRD, Alec McPherson – RDN, Albie Charlie – Cowichan Tribes, Jim Tatoosh – Hupacasath First Nation and Mary Ashley – Director at large.

Budget 2017
AGM Minutes 2016

AGM DRAFT Minutes 2017
Island Corridor Foundation Financial Statements 2016 – Signed
Current Director List

The post AGM 2017 appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.

AVICC Workshop

cwieler — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 22:21:21 +0000

The Island Corridor Foundation and Southern Rail provided background information and a current operations update that assisted the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) delegates in responding to the initial working draft of the ICF Business Plan, click here for to view the draft business plan.

AVICC is the longest established area association under the umbrella of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). The area association was established in 1950. It now has a membership of 51 municipalities and regional districts that stretch from the Central Coast Regional District down to the tip of Vancouver Island and include Powell River and the Sunshine Coast. The Association deals with issues and concerns that affect large urban areas to small rural communities.

We had a great turn out, over 100 delegates attended the morning workshop, please click the images below for the power points from the workshop

To view more videos that are posted on our facebook page, click here

The post AVICC Workshop appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.

ICF Draft Business Plan for public input

cwieler — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 23:19:34 +0000

The ICF Board of Directors is in the process of updating the Foundation’s business plan, and would like your input on what the Board’s goals and priorities should be in the years ahead.
A summary of the responses will be presented to the Board and further drafts will be posted for public input.
View the summary form results here

The post ICF Draft Business Plan for public input appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.

Community Round Table Meeting

cwieler — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 01:31:08 +0000

Over 45 people attending the first Community Round Table Meeting held in Parksville on Friday, February 3rd. Attendees heard from speakers from partnering organizations involved with the corridor foundation to provide an in-depth look of the current and future opportunities.
Round table attendees will participate in topics included:
– SVI Rail operations & business plan
– Trail Development
– First Nation Declaration
– Historic Stations
– Tourism Excursion Train
– Alberni Pacific Railway
– Biking Tourism Opportunities
– Commuter Train

Agenda – Community Round Table Meeting

Frank Butzelaar, President SVI Reviewing the Four Pillar approach for rail on Vancouver Island.

Frank Reviewing the VIA Rail Train Service Agreement

Current Rail Car Business

View More of his presentation below

Joan Mitchel, RDN giving an overview of the new rail trail from Parksville out to Coombs

Kathryn Gagnon, curator of the Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives

Kevin Hunter, president of Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society (IHS)

View More of his presentation below

The post Community Round Table Meeting appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.

Board Meeting Notes January 2017

cwieler — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 18:14:54 +0000

Commuter Train Proposal – Victoria to Langford

Work continues in researching a plan for commuter train service between Victoria and Langford. The Board heard a presentation by the consultant hired by Focus Equities to develop a capital and operating plan. The four directly impacted municipalities, Victoria, Esquimalt, View Royal and Langford endorsed the initiative of ‘further exploring’ the viability of commuter train service. The plan is nearing completion and clarification for several operational aspects will be dealt with through a Memorandum of Understanding. The final plan will require the approval of the four municipalities involved and the ICF.

Courtenay Station – Heritage Canada Funding

Although the Heritage Canada Funding application was denied the station rehabilitation project being led by Courtenay Rotary will carry on as planned. Parks Canada said they had received 66 submissions totaling $11.6 million. Strathcona Rotary is also going to assist in the rebuilding of the station.

Peace Pole Art Project – Cowichan

A Peace Pole honouring the value of local culture and language that reflects the importance of the connection to land and traditional foods will be erected on the corridor lands between River Road and the railway tracks on Cowichan Tribes territory. The design of the pole depicts local fiddlehead ferns and the words, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in both Hul’qumi’num and English.

Cowichan Nations Alliance – ICF Pleadings Addressed

The Cowichan Nations Alliance (Cowichan Tribes, Halalt FN, Penalakut FN and Stz’uminus) concerns about the ICF defense pleadings to the Snaw-Naw-As (SNA) claim will be addressed in cooperation with the Alliance. The pleadings will be amended. The SNA has filed a claim against Canada and the ICF with respect to the mile of corridor that passes through the SNA reserve at Nanoose.

Infrastructure Canada Funding Approval Requirements

Infrastructure Canada is requiring all Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Canada applications to have ministerial sign-off by March 31, 2017. The ICF track infrastructure application falls in this category. Canada has told the ICF the application will not move forward pending resolution of the ongoing litigation with the Snaw-Naw- As First Nation. If the March deadline is not met the ICF may make a new application. Any future application would require updated costs and details on secured funding and must be prioritized by the Province of British Columbia.

New McLean Mill Society Formed

The City of Alberni has created the McLean Mill Society to assist in the promotion and operation of the McLean Mill Steam Train and operation of the mill. The Alberni Pacific Railway (APR) will now be able to focus on operating the train and ensuring track conditions meet British Columbia Safety Authority requirements. The City will develop an immediate and ten yearplan of track work that will be required on the six miles of railroad that the steam train operates. Southern Rail will continue to provide advice and assistance to the City and the APR.

Parksville Station is Home to the Arrowsmith Potters Guild

The Arrowsmith Potters Guild has been in the Parksville Station for 22 years. The Guild has maintained the building but is concerned that other improvements need to be undertaken. Currently they are month to month and would like to have a lease on a term basis. The ICF has agreed to draft a lease for the Guild.

The post Board Meeting Notes January 2017 appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.

First Local Government Liaison meeting

cwieler — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 21:35:44 +0000

The Island Corridor Foundation had its first meeting with the Local Government Liaison on July 22nd 2016. Thirteen members of local government attended this full day of rail tours and meetings.

Hyrail tours were provided by Southern Railway staff who had over 170 years of railway experience;
Don McGregor, Southern Rail of Vancouver Island Project Manager with 40 years of railway experience
Singh Biln, P. Eng., Southern Rail of BC Director Community Relations & Chief Mechanical Officer with 40 years of railway experience
Al Kutaj, Southern Rail of Vancouver Island Road Master with 34 years of railway experience on Vancouver Island
Mark Hughes, Southern Rail of Vancouver Island Operations Manager with 36 years of railway experience
Geoff Bielewski, Southern Rail of Vancouver Island Locomotive Engineer with 25 years of railway experience
Cruise Ship Excursion
The Nanaimo Port Authority & Southern Railway of Vancouver Island with ICF are researching a world class tourism excursion opportunity to Vancouver Island:
– Each cruise ship generates approximately $300,000 in economic impact
– Nanaimo Port Authority in its economic study estimates that $22.8 million total economic impact of the excursion train for the first five years of operation (assumes annual cruise ship calls stabilize at 20)

Tour of the Wellcox Yard
Nanaimo Wellcox Yard has the needed connection to North American Railways. Southern Railway of BC interchange connects to Canadian Pacific, Canadian National, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and other National railways.

The Wellcox Yard is the hub for train activity for the Island, currently serving five trans-load customers. Rail cars are transported by the Seaspan rail barge from the mainland to Nanaimo at the Wellcox Yard. This is the only public rail barge slip on the Island. Currently five different products are trans-loaded at the Wellcox yard. The rail barge loading facility is vital to ongoing and future rail freight service.

Wellcox Trans-load Facilities
Trans-load Product: Fertilizer
Used by Timberwest in their reforestation plan on the Island. The product is sent by the Seaspan rail barge and distributed by helicopter over the sections of forest.

Trans-load Product: Poles
Untreated hydro poles come by truck from Northern Pressure Treated Wood in Courtenay and sent by Seaspan rail barge for treatment and shipped to their plant in Ontario. Northern Pressure Treated Wood (NPTW) is actively involved in protecting this renewable resource, both in harvesting practices and reforestation work. By using these resources on a sustainable basis, NPTW is ensured of a continuous supply of quality wood fibre.

Trans-load Product: Latex
The latex comes by Seaspan rail barge to be used at Catalyst Paper in Port Alberni for paper coating. The Port Alberni mill employees over 300 workers and specializes in papers are used in telephone directories, catalogues, magazines, brochures, inserts and flyers.

Trans-Load Product: Slag Grind
Slag grind is shipped by Seaspan rail barge to the Wellcox yard to be used as a cement filler for Lafarge. Slag cement blends can be used for virtually all type of cast-in place concrete including retaining walls and pavers.

Trans-load Product: Grain
Top Shelf Feeds operates the only feed mill on the Island. Rail cars were delivered to the mill located at Cowichan but now are trans-loaded at the Wellcox yard. This is an important service for agriculture on Vancouver Island.

Water Tank Cars – support for BC Coastal Wildfire Response
Southern Rail of Vancouver Island holds the most water on reserve for supporting the BC Coastal Wildfire Response, five cars totally 363,688 liters.
Railway Infrastructure Program
Attendees rode the hy-rail trucks to get an overview of the track infrastructure program for the Victoria Subdivision (Victoria to Courtenay)

The members traveled to a section of track in South Nanaimo to view what the infrastructure program (20.9 million) would actually look like. The infrastructure investment will repair bridges, replace 9000 rail joints, renew 110,000 wood ties, add 56.5K tonnes of ballast, and lift and resurface track bringing it to Class 3 track conditions with speed restrictions.

Al Kutaj, SVI roadmaster, who has walked the entire the Victoria Subdivision numerous times in planning and reviewing the infrastructure plan. The attendees viewed a 100ft of ties, and marked defective ties and the ties that would be replaced which exceed the requirements for class 3 track with speed restrictions . On average of the entire track one in four ties would be replaced.
Down the track the group saw an example of the finished infrastructure program.

Once arriving back at the Nanaimo Station Southern Railway Project Manager, Don McGregor spoke about the Transport Canada Crossing regulation and how that could effect each municipality, view his presentation here.

Approx. 85% crossing systems already meet new Grade Crossing Regulations (GCR)
No decision to date by Province to adopt Federal GCR or under what terms
“Grandfathering” still possibility for some railways crossings
ICF/SVI will update all local government agencies as information is provided

The discussion continued, the ICF No New Net Crossing Policy, ICF Rail Trail and Heritage Stations. More on the presentation here

• Snaw-Nas-As legal case, for the three parties are exploring a negotiated settlement.
• Long Term Agreement with SVI is in draft form.
• Ties & Ballast; SVI will work with local suppliers for ties and aggregate
• Port Alberni Subdivision could be opened with a freight business case

The post First Local Government Liaison meeting appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.

The speeders tour of Vancouver Island

cwieler — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 00:24:43 +0000

In late June the speeder group, NARCOA came to the island with over 20 speeders and 33 people spent the week touring Vancouver Island by railway.

Wed 17:00:00 to 18:00:00

The post The speeders tour of Vancouver Island appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.

Duncan Station Renovations

cwieler — Thu, 05 May 2016 23:51:32 +0000

ICF is currently in discussion with the Cowichan Valley Museum and City of Duncan to do renovations to the Duncan Station.

The post Duncan Station Renovations appeared first on Island Corridor Foundation.