Editorially speaking...
It has become obvious to me that I ain’t never going to keep up with, let alone get ahead of incoming subject ideas. They’re relentless—they’re in my emails, they’re in the news—there’s something popping up almost every day.
Which is all better than my starving for material, of course.
But I’m genetically disposed to being—appearances to the contrary—methodical and systematic; I know there must be some German blood in my English-Scottish genes. But life has a way of willing otherwise as I’m sure most readers will agree.
Which is my rambling way of approaching this week’s Editorially Speaking... and some of the latest stories that have caught my attention in the news. Rather than being a question of want of subject matter, it’s the challenge of winnowing out those I can set aside for today.
So where to begin? How about the bad news first?
Hope Council appears to be determined to demolish its second oldest heritage structure, the CN Railway station house which, according to preservationists, is structurally sound and can be put to good purpose. The Coalition for the Preservation of the Hope Station House has petitioned Council and taken the unusual step of filing a complaint with the Office of the B.C. Ombudsperson.
The 1916 building was designated a heritage site in 1982. Demolition is to begin any time this month.
To quote their website, https://www.savethehopestationhouse.ca, Hope Council is going against the current:
“Towns such as Nelson, Fort Langley, and Agassiz, each boasting historic train stations as a central feature of their downtown core, have a thriving tourism industry based on their preserved history. Heritage conservation enriches the urban fabric of a town and attracts tourists and locals alike, generating jobs and leading to economic growth.
“There is federal and provincial grant money available that could be used to restore the Station House. It need not be a burden borne by taxpayers. In fact, Boston Bar was awarded $1.9 million in combined federal and provincial grant money this past summer through Infrastructure Canada's Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) to completely restore their Station House. Originally built in 1914, once renovated it will “showcase the unique railway and cultural heritage."
(They didn’t mention Duncan’s E&N station in Duncan which has long served as the Cowichan Valley Museum.)
You can learn more online at https://www.savethehopestationhouse.ca.
Hope Station — https://www.savethehopestationhouse.ca/
Now compare Hope’s story of impending demolition with this news item which is much closer to home:
The Shawnigan Lake Historical Society have been granted $480,000 to triple the size of their operation in that community’s former fire hall. Some of the money will go towards an enhanced Kinsol Trestle exhibit which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. (Didn’t Hope tear down its famous CNR Trestle, the one used as a setting in Sylvester Stallone’s iconic First Blood, a few years ago?)
“The project will not only allow for an improved visitor experience, it will provide catalysts for new business development in the area, more programming for children and youth, and cultural benefits through community activities and safe gathering spaces. The project will also provide much needed space to display the facility’s unique collections, develop new exhibits, as well as attract new events,” said the museum’s executive/director Lori Treloar.
The project is also to receive $250,000 from the Island’s Coastal Economic Trust. To cost a total of $1,827,000, the expansion will also allow for an expanded E.J. Hughes exhibit and a new Cowichan Tribes Exhibit.
There’s more news on the museum/heritage/cultural fronts: Victoria area’s Songhees Nation is preparing to launch an ambitious tourism venture that will “give the world a first-hand look at the land, culture and history of the Lekwungen people”.
Funding is now in place for a marine trail tour stretching from Royal Roads and Esquimalt, through the Inner Harbour, along the Victoria and Oak Bay waterfront and as far as Cadboro Bay. These tours will be conducted in a 25-foot landing craft capable of carrying 12 passengers.
It should go without saying that all of the points of interest mentioned originally belonged to the Songhees Nation, and that there’s a whole new awareness and appreciation for Indigenous culture now underway throughout Canada and beyond.. Meaning that, once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and life, hopefully, settles down again to what we accept as ‘normal,’ the potential for a tour such as this is immense.
A Campbell River First Nation is also looking at ecotourism. The XWE’MALHKWU (or Holmalco First Nation) will conduct two passengers tours from Discovery Harbour Mall this spring should there be no worsening pandemic. The tours are designed to immerse visitors in First Nations culture and will feature various local First Nation artists.
Finally, readers have an opportunity to buy a memorial brick for Lake Cowichan’s Forest Workers Memorial. The bricks, which cost $100 each, honour those who worked in the forest industry and workers who were killed on the job. Years ago, a friend and I bought one to honour the memory of Walter Hogg who was fatally injured in 1943.
Walter Hogg
Memorial bricks are on sale until April 1st for Lake Cowichan's Forest Workers Memorial at the Cowichan Lake Community Co-op, clcfc@cowichanlake.ca
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