The Regional District of Nanaimo has approved a plan to establish an all-terrain vehicle training facility in Whiskey Creek.
The RDN board endorsed a recommendation to grant the West Coast ATV Racing Club a temporary use permit (TUP) on behalf of the province that would allow a defined area of Crown land to be used for practice, training and also as an accessory campground. The board unanimously voted in favour of the project at its regular meeting on Oct. 10.
The subject property is located on 3805 Melrose Rd., in Electoral Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood). It was previously used as a quarry and is approximately five kilometres from residential uses on Melrose Road.
Members of the club, Oliver Sayah and Brad Davis, indicated they have been working on this project for four years.
The goal is to provide a location where people who just purchased ATVs can learn how to practise and safely operate their off-road vehicles.
Sayah said when they found the area, they liked it because it’s far from any homes. He added that they sought the assistance and approval of Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Forests, who both endorsed the plan.
“We agreed to give them a $10,000 deposit so that we will rehabilitate the land over years,” said Sayah. “Our first goal really is to deal with the garbage. Unfortunately, it has become a dumping pit. Someone has cut down the fence and they’re dumping garbage.”
The plan is also to fix the fence and gate and remove invasive species like the Broom, which is part of the agreement they have with the MoF.
Sayah added they held a public information meeting for the proposal in Coombs on Sept. 11, but only eight members of the public were present. Some of the major concerns that were raised, which Sayah indicated they have addressed, especially after they presented a map where the training facility is actually going to be located.
“I understood that they don’t want something right in their backyard,” said Sayah.
“But when I showed them this map, they didn’t realize how far it is from any homes, any residential areas. And we also explained to them that the way that you enter this property isn’t from Melrose area.”
Sayah also clarified to the RDN board the camping component of their overall plan.
“Camping is only an accessory to what we’re using it for,” said Sayah. “So camping isn’t going to be allowed on a regular basis. Only if we’re hosting an event and there’s people from out of town and need a place to stay. They’re allowed to camp there. It’s dry camping so it has to be fully self-contained. There are no services and we’re not upgrading the property for camping purposes.”
Sayah added the facility will not be open seven days a week and that they only plan one or two events a month depending on the demand. They will let the pubic know when they are hosting an event which they plan to hold from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A survey was also conducted by the RDN and along with correspondence received from people in the region, the majority showed support. Some people indicated that there is a need for such a facility given the limited areas available for ATV use and increasing restrictions on privately managed forest lands.
The club was granted a three-year temporary rezoning permit for the property.
