A split on Vernon city council has not stopped plans, for a 7-bay bus terminus on 31st Avenue, going ahead. Council approved the project in a 4-2 vote Monday that will take a chunk out of Cenotaph Park and end public traffic in that block. Currently, the buses stop near the old Safeway. ``There's no need to relocate it at this time,'' said Councillor Bob Spiers, who opposed the plan. ``I say wait a couple of years and find out where it should be located and do it at that time.'' Councillor Patrick Nicol also maintained his opposition. ``I just think in the long term, with the millions we've spent acquiring land there, that we could have been more imaginative than putting a bunch of buses back in there,'' Nicol told reporters as he stood in Spirit Square at city hall. Even Mayor Wayne Lippert admitted it had been a tough decision to approve the project. ``I ultimately support it because I understand the concept but I think that alot of activities that happen, family activities that happen, in Cenotaph Park will end up moving,'' said Lippert. The mayor says the work will be sent out to tender shortly. He expects the work to be done around the end of summer.
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The new home for a transit bus terminus in Vernon will be on 31st Avenue by Cenotaph Park. City council made that decision, although it was not unanimous. 
Councillor Bob Spiers feels the decision was premature. "There was no need to relocate it at this time. I say wait a couple of years and find out where it should be located." Councillor Patrick Nicol (pictured) was also opposed, saying it's the wrong place for that type of facility.
"I just think in the long term with the millions we've spent to acquire land there, we could have been more imaginative than putting a bunch of buses back in there." Mayor Wayne Lippert says he struggled with the decision to support that site in a 4-2 council vote. "It was a split decision by council, but ultimately hearing from different user groups, from seniors and people in the downtown area (was what made up his mind). The Downtown Vernon Association was on side with it going there." The current transit terminus is by the downtown Safeway, but the new one--which BC Transit is paying 47 percent of the cost of--- should open later this year.
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Transit Bus Site Sealed Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 26 April 2011 19:53
Councillor Bob Spiers feels the decision was premature. "There was no need to relocate it at this time. I say wait a couple of years and find out where it should be located." Councillor Patrick Nicol (pictured) was also opposed, saying it's the wrong place for that type of facility."I just think in the long term with the millions we've spent to acquire land there, we could have been more imaginative than putting a bunch of buses back in there." Mayor Wayne Lippert says he struggled with the decision to support that site in a 4-2 council vote. "It was a split decision by council, but ultimately hearing from different user groups, from seniors and people in the downtown area (was what made up his mind). The Downtown Vernon Association was on side with it going there." The current transit terminus is by the downtown Safeway, but the new one--which BC Transit is paying 47 percent of the cost of--- should open later this year.
3 comments:
We have a bunch of fools on council that don,t know what they are doing and are great at wasting money.
I think this is a terrible decision. The terminus was moved from this location because of the conflict of noisy buses and use of the park. Also there are a greater number of seniors at the western end of downtown who can easily access the current bus terminus. I can see why Patrick Nicol was shaking his head. Moving it one block east may have better in terms of getting it away from the park.
Panch-Sanchez, please allow me to add my comments posted earlier re Rolke's article re the terminus to those of the second commenter.
I have an elderly parent and the terminus should be at the western end of downtown. I'd hate to think of my parent trying to walk past some of Vernon's unwholesome characters when few people are around. There is far more foot traffic further west.
I prefer not to think of some on council as fools, but rather, as unaware of other visions for downtown. With a little creativity we can offer better service to bus-users and protect precious green space.
Bus traffic is not aesthetically attractive.
Create a British style mews adjacent to the alley flanking Cenotaph Park. Rezone businesses on 30th Ave to allow them create shops/mini-food outlets at the back of their businesses.
The alley is an eyesore and a draw for illicit activities not for children's eyes.
Imagine colourful store-fronts with interesting businesses.
This will bring wholesome activity to the park.
Buses bring fumes, noise, congestion and most sadly, the destruction of large trees.
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