White Rock council delays accessibility mat for pier, opts to wait for grants – BC | 24CA News
Increased accessibility for the White Rock Pier must wait.
White Rock metropolis council voted on Monday to not fund an accessibility mat for the town’s well-known pier.
In a majority vote, councillors determined to have metropolis employees look into potential grants to fund the mat, slightly than approve a one-time $100,000 funding of metropolis funds.
The argument was made that it will be higher for White Rock taxpayers if grants may very well be used to create the accessibility mat (walkway) for the pier.
“We owe a responsibility to all residents … if there’s money out there we can get … I think we owe that to the taxpayer,” White Rock Mayor Megan Knight stated on the council assembly.
“Everyone on this council agrees, we will get this done. Our due diligence must be done for the taxpayer.”
The mat would make the pier walkway safer and extra accessible because the walkway planks might be fairly uneven, particularly for wheelchair entry.
Accessibility advocate Susan Bains, with Equal Access Collective, spoke in favour of the town funding the mat at Monday’s council assembly and stated White Rock’s alternative of ready for grant cash just isn’t within the curiosity of people who want it most.
“I’ve been pushing for (the mat) since 2021,” she stated.
“Wheels get stuck in the gaps, (council) knows it is not accessible. If they cared they would prioritize and take action. They have the money for this.”
Bains even provided the town council with an inventory of potential grants that may very well be utilized for a while in the past.
City councillor Ernie Klassen, who’s a member of the White Rock Accessibility Committee, had some sharp phrases on Monday as properly.
“I find it a little inappropriate that a list of grant opportunities was given months ago, and we’re postponing this again,” he stated. “This has been brought forward time and time again. We came up with a committee to look the accessibility in the city and we are postponing this over and over again.”
Disabled comic Ryan Lachance, who’s a White Rock resident and a part of Accessibility Community for White Rock, additionally spoke on the assembly, pleading with council members to fund the entry mat sooner slightly than later.
“It seems like we are having to debate something that should be common sense for the pier, not only for people with disabilities but also for people who may have a bum leg. Anyone can easily trip on the pier,” he stated. “We are trying to make it accessible for everyone. It is frustrating having to keep pointing out the obvious to the city that this needs to be done. I hope you take our requests seriously.”
Global News spoke with White Rock councillor Elaine Cheung concerning the problem. She voted for workers to proceed wanting into grants.
“We are going to be putting the mat on the pier. If there are grants out there for mats, we will apply for it,” she stated. “It’s $115,000 to put the mat on the pier and that quite a lot for a little city like White Rock.”
There is metropolis cash that may very well be used for the mat, however Cheung stated the town must spend its cash to be as “effective as possible.”
Another wrinkle that would probably delay grant purposes, is the town is attempting to rent a grant-writer place. Without that place crammed, it may take longer to use for grants, metropolis employees stated.
Bains has created an on-line petition concerning the problem.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
