25 years ago in the Undercurrent
The Liverpool Daily Post & Echo was announced as the new owner of The Undercurrent. The company had also purchased the West Ender and the East Ender, both Vancouver-based weekly papers. The previous owner and owner of Vanpress Ltd., Eric Cardwell, will work in an advisory role with the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo.
Bowen Island commuters were without ferry service for half a day when the Howe Sound Queen experience a problem with its hydraulic steering. The ferry stayed over on Bowen Monday night after trouble started earlier that evening. Some commuters managed to get to Horseshoe Bay by using the Apodaca, while two water taxis owned by B.C. Ferries were used throughout the morning until the ferry was running again just after noon.
20 years ago in the Undercurrent
The headline in the January 13, 1995 issue of The Undercurrent read, “Ferry fare hike raising hackles.” The article went on to explain that the cost for a single adult ticket on the ferry jumped 25 cents, meaning a driver or passenger now paid $4.25 (return). The cost of frequent commuters who buy their tickets in prepaid packages of ten jumped from $107.70 to $115.20, including driver and average sized vehicle. ( a cost of $11.52 per return trip).
15 years ago in the Undercurrent
The rebuilding plans for the Snug Cove Ferry dock were put on hold until the fall, in order to protect the heron colony near the terminal. The delay would mean a slower ferry ride, as the rotting wing walls demand the vessel slow down while docking. The 30 year-old wing walls – designed to bring the ferry to rest and hold it in position so vehicles can pass safely over the loading ramp – had moved several feet from their original position. This evidence was based on “verbal assessments and visual inspections” by the ship’s masters, he says.
10 years ago in the Undercurrent
Surplus lands were given the green light to become the property of the Bowen Island Municipality. Council negotiated with the GVRD for the sale of 38 acres of land, located in and around Sung Cove, for approximately $2 million. Council also set a date for a referendum – April 30 – for residents to vote on whether they approve the purchase. These surplus lands were seen as a necessary acquisition as the municipality grew, and the potential need for civic buildings came into view.
The Bowen Island Municipality received a $250,000 grant from the provincial Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s services to purchase two works yard properties on Mount Gardner, currently owned by the Ministry of Transportation and the British Columbia Buildings Corporation.
