16 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Nav Canada wants to build a flight control tower atop the coast guard building in James Bay (near Shoal Point). A-Channel ran a story about it this afternoon and had a clip of a fellow from Shoal Point claiming that Nav Canada is bringing "eastern values to our community that nobody here wants" (or something very similar to that) and that harbour residents will fight the proposal at every opportunity [so, uh, Nav Canada is pressuring local floatplane operators to increase service and that our community doesn't want an increase in floatplane services?].

Nav Canada counters that they need the new facility because the current facility was never meant to be permanent and is now too cramped and in disrepair to continue using it. Residents claim that the new tower is an excuse to bring more flights to the harbour.

One interesting statistic from the story was the number of flights per year, numbered at 35,000 (flights means landings + takeoffs).

[Holden West]

Why does it have to be over the Coast Guard building? Wouldn't it be cool as part of a new Belleville Terminal? Especially if there was a way the public could see the action.

Again, what do I charge for this valuable advice? Nada. It's my gift to the world.

Oh, well. It's so lonely and alienating being more imaginative than bureaucrats... :-/

[gumgum]

a clip of a fellow from Shoal Point claiming that Nav Canada is bringing "eastern values to our community that nobody here wants"

What does that mean? What eastern values do Easterners have that Westerners don't? Honestly, someone explain that to me cuz I really don't get it. That them easterner are a bunch of float plane lovers? That only easterners fly in planes? What?

[G-Man]

What a bunch of crap. I mean if they want to build a new tower then they should!!!!! Holy Crap what kind of bizarre logic are these residents using here? I mean if you build a new fire hall does that mean that there will be more houses in which to put out fires?

I am once again complaining about the complainer!!!! Dang it all!

[m0nkyman]

I mean if you build a new fire hall does that mean that there will be more houses in which to put out fires?

No, it obviously means that they're planning on setting a lot of fires, silly...

[Mike K.]

Why does it have to be over the Coast Guard building? Wouldn't it be cool as part of a new Belleville Terminal? Especially if there was a way the public could see the action.

Again, what do I charge for this valuable advice? Nada. It's my gift to the world.

Oh, well. It's so lonely and alienating being more imaginative than bureaucrats... :-/

As cool as that would be, they need to have the tower in that location because the harbour has two runways. One is along the Songhees Walkway (runs from Delta Point through to Spinnakers) and the other points south from Spinnakers and out past the Esso fuel tanks.

a clip of a fellow from Shoal Point claiming that Nav Canada is bringing "eastern values to our community that nobody here wants"

What does that mean? What eastern values do Easterners have that Westerners don't? Honestly, someone explain that to me cuz I really don't get it. That them easterner are a bunch of float plane lovers? That only easterners fly in planes? What?

Holden should give that fellow the "Gord's quote of the week" award.

[LJ]

The reason they would build it on the Coast Guard building is because they already have an agreement in place with the CG, the designs are set and it should have been built years ago.

The current location/facility was a temporary structure that was meant to be in use during the construction of the permanent structure, except that construction never happened.

It needs to be in a similar location to where it is now in order to see the approach area and the taxiing/manoeuvring area as well as the landing area.

Also it is not a "flight control tower" is is a "flight service station" manned by flight service specialists not air traffic controllers.

[Nparker]

I propose renaming James Bay to "NIMBY Narrows".

[Rob Randall]

My former NavCanada contact (also known as my Dad) comments:

With reference to the proposed Tower at Victoria Harbour - at the present time the harbour is serviced by a Flight Service Station (as of my last involvement June 2006). They do not provide a positive control service as they are not licenced to do so. They only provide advisory advice (weather, traffic etc.). A Tower would provide positive Air Traffic Control thus enhancing flight safety. Nav Canada does not, and cannot, approach individual carriers to promote additional flights. The number of flights is less than half of what Victoria International did 30 years ago. Whether the uninformed public wants to prohibit flights is a separate fight removed from both Nav Canada and the concept of a Tower. The tallest tower we have is Vancouver Harbour and it works very well. The concept for Victoria Harbour Tower is a win/win; the pilots win with a safer service and the public wins with knowing the traffic entering the Harbour is under positive control.

As an aside, we don't import Eastern values, we reject them.

[rchauhan]

"NIMBY Narrows", I love it!! Here is the A-Channel report off of their web page:

Residents Oppose New Harbour Air Tower

VICTORIA - Nav Canada, the organization that runs air traffic in this country, has plans for a new facility in Victoria's Inner Harbour.

They already have a flight service station at the entrance to the harbour but now Nav Can wants to put its new tower on top of the HMCS Malahat cadet training building.

They say it will improve visibility and safety but some residents who live on the Inner Harbour say the upgraded facility will simply add more flights to an already busy harbour.

They intend to oppose the plan. A public information meeting will be held at HMCS Malahat, Wednesday, September 26 at 7:00 PM.

[Holden West]

we don't import Eastern values, we reject them

I wonder if that would fit in the "WELCOME TO VICTORIA" flower sign?

[LJ]

Quote Robert Randall
"The concept for Victoria Harbour Tower is a win/win; the pilots win with a safer service and the public wins with knowing the traffic entering the Harbour is under positive control."



The "tower" that is going to built is just a new location for the flight service station. There are no plans at present to introduce an air traffic control facility.

[Mike K.]

The renderings they showed on A-Channel sure made it look like a regular airport control tower. It even had the angled windows if I remember correctly.

[LJ]

Yes they do look very much the same, the difference is in who is staffing them.

[G-Man]

This seems to be really coming together now. Should be done in a couple more months.

[Holden West]

VHF, if you're in JB today grab a pic.

[VicHockeyFan]

VHF, if you're in JB today grab a pic.

10 days later, YES, I will be there. Doing an extensive photoshoot in James Bay today...