Dear Editor,
Before the zoning is changed to suit Onni, I would like to suggest that what Steveston needs on that priceless site is an aquarium — obviously “marine” themed; no re-zoning necessary.
The city’s beautiful new tree-themed park on the Garden City Lands will help to beautify our mid-island, and an aquarium in Steveston would be another feature to draw visitors to that end of the island.
Certainly, to the thousands of passengers from future cruise ships it would offer a charming gem close by.
Steveston merchants would welcome such an interesting, natural attraction, rather than a hotel or more fish & chip cafes.
As well, it would provide an educational field trip where students learn about the amazing marine life that inhabits our west coast waters.
Starfish, rock fish, jelly fish, clams, anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, salmon are just some of the possibilities.
Ucluelet, the small fishing village on the Island, has a small but amazing aquarium, with rave reviews, right on the water’s edge, too.
Their website, UclueletAquarium.com has numerous amazing photos, and shows their little building’s interior which features typical westcoast design of natural log posts and heavy timber framing.
If a similar design were used in Steveston’s aquarium, it would help to offset the dreadful concrete and steel we see there now.
It could be a real gem.
Moreah Sinclaire
Richmond
