City of Nanaimo to expand Loudon Park following new land purchase

As the treasurer for the Long Lake Flatwater Training Center Society, Rutherford (pictured in front of the newly purchased lots) said upgrading the boathouse has been a long time coming. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm

Loudon Park will likely have a new look in the near future, following the City of Nanaimo’s recent land purchase.

On Wednesday, October 1, the City of Nanaimo announced the purchase of two properties adjacent to Loudon Park, 4246 and 4288 Victoria Avenue. The purchase would add .49 acres to the current 1.72-acre park.

CHLY attended the announcement on the rainy day at Loudon Park.

Mayor of Nanaimo, Leonard Krog, told the crowd that Loudon Park is an important place for community members.

He said that while this land purchase will be used to improve accessibility and usage of the park, the new land will also be able to support the Nanaimo Rowing Club and Nanaimo Canoe & Kayak Club.

“It will remind Council of its long standing commitment that's wavered back and forth and gone through many discussions to actually improve this park in a way that will make it a wonderful place for the neighborhood, but also for the people who need and want to continue to exercise their skills, to train to build spirit and community and pride on the lake behind us,” Krog said.

The aging boathouse used by the clubs has been much discussed over the past 25 years by previous councils, and the City has been planning on redeveloping the park and boathouse facility more recently, since 2021.

“So as we're standing here in the cold and the wet and the rain, not feeling entirely comfortable, thinking it might be better to be someplace warm, just imagine for a moment you're a 14-year-old out here training in January,” he said.

Back in the spring of this year, Nanaimo City Council voted in favour of a $10.8 million project to redevelop Loudon Park and replace the boathouse. 

The city paid about $2.2 million for both lakeside lots. The mayor told media following the announcement that acquiring parkland is an always-needed investment. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm

The project would build a new 10,000 square foot facility, including boat storage, new public washrooms and community meeting space. The building would also feature a training facility for the Long Lake Flat Water Training Society.

This was met with much outcry from residents and park users who were concerned that the new boathouse would take up park space and lead to the removal of 29 mature trees at the park.

Council later voted in favour of pausing and reconsidering the project to figure out a new way to make the improvements.

Kate Rutherford was at the park for the announcement. She told CHLY that after hearing rumours about the city purchasing land, she was very surprised to see it happen.

As the treasurer for both the rowing club and the Long Lake Flatwater Training Center Society, she said upgrading the boathouse has been a long time coming.

“I've been involved with the club for 21 years, when my son started rowing, and we've been working on a boathouse plan for most of that time,” Rutherford said.

She said the last couple of years have been particularly difficult as project plans were going over budget and groups were protesting the boathouse. But she said seeing the new land purchase shows her the city is still listening to them.

“They want to improve the community, improve the amenities in this part of the city, which has been, I think, underserved,” Rutherford said. “I'm dating myself, but my family moved here when that building was being built, the original 1967 building. I was just in elementary school. So to see something more happening, I think it needs to be more vibrant, more lively, just make it a much more welcoming place to come to.”

The city paid about $2.2 million for both lakeside lots. The mayor told media following the announcement that acquiring parkland is an always-needed investment.

“Nobody in the city of Vancouver, to my knowledge, sits back and says, ‘oh my goodness, what a big mistake they made acquiring that big chunk of land called Stanley Park,’ Krog said. “It's important to recognize that it's not just about governing for the people who are here, it's about governing for our children, for our grandchildren and for the future generations who will place even greater demands on our park.”

He said council still needs to vote on the plans for the new park addition, as well as what will happen with the boathouse plan.

“It's an addition to the park which makes it perhaps easier to provide or build a facility in a way that won't–how shall I say, ‘upset’ certain folks who weren’t prepared to see the fir trees behind us, or some of them, come down,” Krog said. “So it gives further opportunity, and it does enhance what is a very small but well-used park.”

Heather Baitz, a member of the Rock City Neighbourhood Association and one of the organizers of the Save Loudon Park group, spoke to CHLY over the phone following the announcement.

She said she was thrilled to hear about the city acquiring more parkland.

“I'm really pleased that this is moving forward, and the park is increasing in size. I can see that as only being a good thing regardless of exactly how they decide in council to make use of that land and the buildings that they've acquired,” Baitz said. “I think everybody wants to see the park being used in the best way possible for the most number of people, including the rowers and them having a suitable space for their boats and their activities, and also being able to have green space for the community.”

Baitz said for now she will have to wait and see what decisions are made regarding the park improvements, but is pleased to see things moving forward.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.