Uncategorized Archives - Island Corridor Foundation

The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Bevan as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2024. Mr. Bevan succeeds Larry Stevenson, who has served the ICF with distinction since 2018.

Mr. Bevan is a certified Registered Professional Planner (RPP) with a master’s degree in planning from UBC and a Bachelor of Commerce in Real Estate from the University of Guelph. He brings over a decade of experience in urban planning and real estate development, with a proven track record of leading successful projects that prioritize affordability, walkability, and transit-oriented development.

“I am honored to serve our members and all Vancouver Islanders and will begin by listening and learning. A great deal of heart and effort has been invested in this project fueling many differing opinions over many years. My passion lies in working with communities to bring them together to co-create plans that respond to the needs and aspirations of the people who live in these communities.”

Mr. Bevan has a diverse background in project management, with experience working on projects across Vancouver Island and southern BC. Highlights include:

Te’tuxwtun Project (Nanaimo): A forward-thinking, 390-unit mixed-use development partnership between the Snuneymuxw First Nation, City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Ladysmith School Board, and BC Housing.
Evergreen Terrace Redevelopment (Victoria): Reimagining 8 acres of public land to create a mix of 900 housing units while increasing public green space.
Skeena Terrace Redevelopment (Vancouver): Development manager for this 2,000-unit social housing project, a recent winner of the National Urban Design Award.
312 Main (Vancouver): Co-founder and development manager of this Vancity Community Foundation project transforming the former Vancouver Police headquarters into an innovation hub for social mission groups.

“We are thrilled to welcome Thomas to the ICF,” said Daniel Arbour and Judith Sayers, Co-Chairs of the ICF. “His experience, energy, and collaborative approach are exactly what we need as we explore the full potential of the Island Corridor for the benefit of all Vancouver Islanders. Thomas will champion relationship-building with First Nations, regional districts, and the provincial government. Under his leadership, the ICF will continue to listen to communities and explore creative solutions that optimize, protect, and preserve this important corridor.”

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C-FAX 1070 Interview with Larry Stevenson

cwieler — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 21:26:45 +0000

Ryan spoke with Larry Stevenson, outgoing CEO, Island Corridor Foundation

The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) announced today that Larry Stevenson will be stepping down as it’s Chief Executive Officer

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Larry Stevenson to Step Down as CEO of Island Corridor Foundation

cwieler — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 21:15:37 +0000

Nanaimo, BC – The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) announced today that Larry Stevenson will be stepping down as it’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Joining the ICF in 2018 Stevenson led the organization through a period of significant change and challenges while advancing the Foundation’s mission to preserve and enhance the Island Rail corridor on Vancouver Island. Under his leadership, the ICF has achieved many notable milestones, including bringing critical focus to the importance, and the value, of the rail corridor to the future development of Vancouver Island.

“Larry Stevenson’s contributions to the Island Corridor Foundation have been invaluable, and we are grateful for his dedication and leadership over the years,” said Co-Chairs Judith Sayers and Daniel Arbour. “During his tenure, the ICF has made significant strides in fulfilling its mandate in a very challenging environment, his commitment and drive will be missed, and we wish Larry the very best in his future endeavors.”

Stevenson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as CEO of the ICF. “It has been a great honour to work alongside our board, our members, and the public on an issue of such importance to the future of Vancouver Island,” he said. “I am confident that the future of the corridor is bright, and it will play a crucial role in the sustainable development of the region for the benefit of all residents and those who visit Vancouver Island.”

The Board of Directors will immediately initiate a search for a new CEO to lead the ICF into its next chapter. Stevenson will continue as the CEO and will work with the search committee to find a successor, manage the transition to a new leader, and ensure continuity in the operation and management of the foundation.

The Island Corridor Foundation remains committed to its mission of preserving the corridor as a link that connects communities economically, socially, and culturally. The organization looks forward to building on the foundation laid by Larry Stevenson and continuing to work collaboratively with its members, island communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

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CFAX Interview with Aaron Stone – Settling land claims for Vancouver Island rail corridor supported by the CRD.

cwieler — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 19:22:25 +0000

A fantastic interview on CFAX with ICF Board Co-Chair and Mayor of Ladysmith, Aaron Stone.

Click link to listen to interview.

Settling land claims for Vancouver Island rail corridor supported by the CRD (iheartradio.ca)

Photo credit: Kerry Davis

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There is a strong case for reviving rail service on Vancouver Island – Brendan Read, Times Colonist

cwieler — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 17:23:47 +0000

A commentary by the director of the Vancouver Island Transportation Corridor Coalition.

In January 2002, the Times Colonist published my commentary: “Making the case for the E&N railroad.” Back then, the railway was facing abandonment following NorskeCanada (now Catalyst) switching shipping from its Port Alberni mill from rail to truck.

First Nations, business leaders, community advocates, and elected officials argued there was a compelling case for revitalizing rail. They cited a growing population, traffic and environmental issues, and the destructive alternative of highway expansion.

But they also pointed out that rail could only deliver on its potential if it were to benefit from the same public investment that highways have long enjoyed. And which had driven business off the tracks.

Now, some 20 years later, the Island Corridor Foundation has done that, with its Vancouver Island Rail Initial Business Case. And the $431 million it is seeking is modest compared with the reported $1 billion-plus the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has estimated to “fix” just the Malahat.

The province, with federal government partnership, must get on board with the ICF plan. For the very same issues, identified in 2002, are becoming worse.

There are more traffic delays and closures, many of which are caused by increasingly severe weather like last November’s torrential rains. The Island’s population is expected to reach nearly one million by 2038, according to B.C. Population Estimates and Projections, so how is the resulting transportation demand going to be handled?

Environmentally, rail produces fewer greenhouse gases than road for passengers and freight. And, according to the ICF, “just one locomotive can haul a tonne of goods more than 220 kilometres on a single litre of fuel, while removing upwards of 300 trucks from our congested roads.”

Trains will draw people from their cars and freight from long-haul trucks. We have had many private conversations with potential business customers who are likely come to onside but only once the governments have invested in the railway.

Trains will also foster smart green development. Already, there are signs of rail-supporting investments happening, like the new Langford Station Cultural District, the rail-adjacent Starlight Stadium, and the new apartments near Parksville Station.

The Island’s rail system could also help solve Canada’s supply chain issues. There is talk about Port Alberni providing much-needed relief to Vancouver’s severe port congestion, with containers loaded onto railcars and ferried over.

The benefits are realizable due to the conservative, prudent, step-by-step plan outlined by the ICF. The planned passenger service departing multiple times a day that will permit commuting to work or for appointments as well for visiting family and friends, and for tourism.

The new trains will not be the old Dayliners. They will comprise of modern low-emissions locomotives and the same type of Canadian-designed-and-built long-proven multi-deck railcars as on the West Coast Express, which are easily accessible and bike-friendly. ICF has planned for the whole corridor to support active transportation, such as rails with trails. It also foresees intermodal connections with buses and ferries.

The ICF has also opened the door to private excursion trains. The Island has untapped rail tourism potential, magnified by our proximity to the Metro Vancouver and Seattle and Portland-area markets as well as from the cruise ships.

A $431-million investment to renew (not build anew) the railway, as written and vetted by experienced industry professionals and consultants, truly is a bargain price. Imagine what it would cost to build the railway from scratch.

We cannot abandon this amazing asset and then realize, as the great Canadian artist Joni Mitchell put it, “You don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone.” Those who call for the abandonment of rail for a trail should realize that rail gets passengers — and cyclists — to their destinations virtually all the time, on schedule, and no matter the weather.

It is critical to the success of this project, as the ICF has stated, that the provincial and federal governments acknowledge and work toward reconciling the historical wrongs with the First Nations.

Bottom line: the benefits of rail create a return on investment that far exceeds what the ICF is seeking in order to get the trains rolling.

What are we waiting for? Let’s bring the Island’s trains back on track.

Full article can be found here.

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