About 25 years ago, the federal fisheries department vetoed a plan to build a marina in Qualicum Beach off the west end, as this was a herring spawning ground.
Tidal beaches tend to be sterile and construction on piles might be permitted on the main beach, particularly for a pier with an artificial reef.
As it happens, sands in central Qualicum Beach bay extend over a mile at low tide, so even if desirable, a pier there would be impractical.
It has been suggested that the residential stretch along the beachfront could be bypassed by building a walkway on piles. It is only at high tide that a bypass would be necessary, so it might be more practical to concentrate on the relative lack of parking and visitor facilities in this area.
For example, platforms could be extended from road level, on piles, to provide additional parking and recreation areas, where visitors could relax while keeping an eye on the kids on the beach.
Jim DrummondQualicum Beach