The tide of opinion was decidedly anti-marina last night at Victoria High School.
About 250 people filled the school auditorium for a public meeting to address the ongoing controversy over a 48-berth marina for large yachts proposed for the Songhees area of the Inner Harbour.
The meeting was put together by a citizens' group called Victoria Harbour Defence Alliance, which includes former Victoria mayor Peter Pollen. Pollen was joined by two other former Victoria mayors, David Turner and Alan Lowe, in speaking out against the marina plan.
Also voicing concerns about the $20-million proposal in recent weeks have been the Victoria West Community Association and local paddlers, along with Victoria MP Denise Savoie.
The marina project has been put forward by developer Bob Evans and Western Asset Management Group of Alberta. It would require about 900 metres of shoreline.
While Evans touts the marina as good for tourism, those opposing it say the Inner Harbour is not suitable for large yachts and assert that views from shore would be adversely affected.
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority chairman Don Prittie has said he supports the marina as long as there are no safety issues, and said he has been told that is the case by Transport Canada.
The concept of having a marina at the Songhees stems from a 1987 agreement between the province and the City of Victoria. In order for the marina proposal to proceed, it requires approvals from both Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, along with a city development permit and a provincial lease for a two-hectare water lot.
Pollen told the Vic High crowd the marina has to be stopped.
"The grotesque nature of this project speaks for itself," he said.
Lowe said a marina for mega-yachts would be "out of proportion" for what Victorians want.
"The issue here is we love our harbour," he said. "We want to keep it the way it is."
Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca MP Keith Martin quoted from a letter he has written to federal Transport Minister John Baird to underline his objections to the marina, and to emphasize his concern that it won't fit with existing activity like plane traffic.
"Against this backdrop of a congested harbour, this marina will be a recipe for disaster," he said.
