Piece of valuable history lands in RDCK's lap
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
A very popular and historical North Shore recreation spot will wind up in the hands of the regional district and preserved from private developers.
Regional District of Central Kootenay Area F director Ron Mickel confirmed that Mcdonald’s Landing will be transferred at no cost from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to the RDCK.
The small craft harbour located at Six Mile on the North Shore — which once was a main spot on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake for paddle wheelers to tie up — has been on the federal government’s list for years for divesture, said Mickel.
A group of citizens approached Mickel last summer and were concerned the federal government would sell it to private interests.
The federal department was only too happy to hand it off to the RDCK for nothing, said Mickel.
“I don’t know why we haven’t taken action earlier. It’s one of the few historic sites left in Area F,” he said.
Camp Koolaree also uses the facilities there to access the camp on the other side of the lake. They also have a lot near the harbour that they use for parking.
At this point the RDCK and the DFO are still discussing if they should try and get that lot as well for parking, or just Macdonald’s Landing.
Mickel brought the item to the Jan. 6 regional parks commission meeting and it was before the board on Jan. 27. The regional district had to act on it fairly quickly, he said, because the DFO had some money ($10,000) in their budget for repairs.
The DFO will replace all of the woodwork above the waterline, prior to giving it to the RDCK. Right now Mcdonald Landing is a very substantial dock, catwalk and pilings.
“It’s quite an impressive structure and would be an asset for the community,” he said.
There is no land, no foreshore, included in the deal. It’s just a right of way, the structure only and the road down to it.
Next on Mickel’s agenda to acquire is Six Mile Beach where several people have drowned in the past. No one wants to seem to address the dangerousness of the area, and take responsibility for signage, he said.
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