By Doreen Marion Gee

An insane asylum was once housed on the Songhees Reserve Land along the bay. Tourists loved a character called "Bill Nye," who sailed around the Inner Harbour in a half barrel and slept on a pile of newspapers. These historical nuggets illuminate the colourful past of the Inner Harbour. Our port has been through many changes from the first Songhees settlers all the way to the draining of the mudflats and the causeway construction. Now, our world-class gateway is one of the most exquisite in the world and attracts millions of tourists every year. However, it needs a serious makeover. There are plans to redevelop the inner harbour, including a new terminal. But the new vision excludes a primary player in the harbour's success - the MV Coho. An upgrade of the deteriorating harbour is necessary, but we need to preserve those things that make it a magnet to the world. And maybe it will take the financial support of the province to keep it "world class."

"The Vision for Belleville" August 2007 Report was a study done by the Mayor's Taskforce on the Belleville Terminal. Their job was to make recommendations on redeveloping the Terminal with the stipulation that it would be self-sustaining with no provincial funding. Among the proposals were replacing and improving the docks, a hotel, restoration of the CPR building and a new terminal. They also want a new developer to lease the land from the Province, the owner of the property. Due to limited space and finances, the Task Force felt that the terminal could no longer accommodate the Coho Ferry and suggested it move elsewhere. In response to this report, an MV Coho Impact Study was commissioned in November 2007. It found that in 2006, spending by Coho passengers generated $123.7 million in Net GDP and provided 3,541 jobs.

The Leader of the Provincial NDP, Carole James, supports the need for an upgrade but is adamant that the Coho should stay at the Inner Harbour. In an interview with James, she states that our provincial government should fund the redevelopment of the Belleville Terminal. She feels that our Inner Harbour is as important as Vancouver, Campbell's focus. According to James, "The key here is that this is the Capital City of B.C. The Inner Harbour and the Coho are a critical part of its history and economic development. The government should be at the table acting as a partner to protect them."

It was a glorious sunny day for a tour of the Coho Ferry with the new president of Blackball Transport, Ryan Burles and the Captain, Steve Banfill. I was impressed with the sparkling condition of the vessel and the "Retro" look of portholes and long comfy seats. The Coho boasts its own sewage treatment system and there are two new engines at a cost of $4.5 million. Burles "does not see how all the harbour improvements could be done without government funding." He believes that the Inner Harbour is the best place for the Coho because tourists are steps away from downtown and, being a deepwater port, the ship can dock close to land. In his view, moving the Coho would result in great economic losses to the city. He has met with Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, about this issue.

Terry Farmer was the Chair of the Mayor's Task Force, whose role is now finished. Their findings are being considered by the government. He conceded that if Provincial funding had been part of the deal, they may have come to different conclusions about the Coho. He says that while fixing the dock and upgrading the terminal is important to security, "he is still very impressed with the operations and maintenance of the Coho." Hagen's office advised me that "The government is unable to say anything at this time because discussions are ongoing."

Maybe ghosts from the old asylum stand guard and the spirit of Bill Nye still keep watch as he rows around our Harbour. History is not for sale to the highest bidder and honouring our past could keep the world at our door.

Photo by Barry Behnke