Area ‘A’ Update – Daniel Arbour, Area ‘A’ Director

A busy 2025 is ramping up in Area A ~

Daniel Arbour, CVRD Area A Director

As the Comox Valley Regional District emerges from two months of budgeting for the coming year, the time seems right to provide a fuller update for Area A residents. Thank you to so many community members who actively engage in public initiatives or on non-profit boards. In rural areas local government would not be able to accomplish so much without volunteers and partner organizations, and people advocating on myriad issues to make our communities better.  With this being said, here are some initiatives brewing up over the coming months!

Hornby / Denman Islands

Much of the CVRD’s work on the islands continues to be in key partnerships with organizations such as HIRRA, DIRA, and multiple other non-profits. This approach ensures that local taxes are managed primarily by volunteer committees and organizations who are rooted on the islands. This year we can celebrate big accomplishments, and look forward to new projects as well:

• On the housing front – construction of the 26 affordable housing units is underway at Beulah Creek. Some seeds are also being planted for a possible next project on Hornby – more to come on this. In the meantime, I will lend my full support to Denman Green as they look to secure financing for their shovel ready project. This year, the CVRD will be working towards setting up a Regional Housing Authority, and there could be points of collaboration and support for Denman.
• The Hornby Arts Centre has finally opened its doors! CVRD was an early supporter for the project, and we look forward to see full programming – thanks to the efforts of Hornby Arts.
• A really tough issue on Denman continues to be the Graham Lake water system. As promised our staff will come back to the community with the best possible project to meet Island Health requirements, and likely pursue electoral assent this or next year. I have briefed our MLA multiple times on the financial strain this project presents, even with the grant we secured.
• Slowly but surely, we are initiating the Denman Firehall renewal project this coming year. Stay tuned!
• Lastly I have worked with Hornby Denman Health to bring our MLA Josie Osborne (who is also Minister of Health), accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health, to visit Hornby and Denman to learn more about our situation. We will discuss the island’s clinics, doctors/nurse, home care, ambulance, and fire/first responder services. This will occur in late March, and am hoping will provide an opportunity to work on resolving complex issues. 

Royston / Union Bay/ Fanny Bay

The Royston to Fanny Bay communities certainly have a lot happening, with both core infrastructure renewal projects and new initiatives in 2025:

• The switch from Cumberland to Comox Lake water for Royston continues to advance, with detailed design currently being firmed up. Construction for the new waterlines, which will go along Comox Logging Road, is set for sometime in 2026/2027. For more info: https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/wsep
• The South Sewer project continues as well, despite the setbacks with Union Bay Estates. This may result in a change of our phasing for the project, should Union Bay Estates not be able to meet their financial commitment to South Sewer. 
• K’omoks First Nation remains a committed partner to the South Sewer project, and more importantly on March 8th voted to ratify their Treaty with Canada and BC! This is generational news, and with 91% turnout for their vote and 81% in favour – we can be hopeful that senior governments will see a mandate to finalize and sign, after 30 years of negotiations. I will try to write more on this over the coming months.
• The new Union Bay Firehall is moving forward! Following the successful electoral assent in February, we are looking to start building in 2025, with possible completion in 2026.
• Multiple smaller projects are underway in the three communities, including construction of the new playground at Union Bay; collaboration with Fanny Bay Hall to figure out how to solve the structural issues with the foundation; putting shovel in the ground for the active transportation project around Royston school; working towards replacement of the Royston seaside viewing platform; and exploring with SD71 and Vancouver Island Regional Library the potential to use the old school site for a new Union Bay branch.

All in all, it is so satisfying to see these initiatives move forward. Every day I am enjoying the opportunity to work and advocate for Area A communities. As always, if you have questions or concerns, you can email me: reachme@danielarbour.ca