Two Chilliwack incumbents seek re-election to Cultus Lake Park Board

Two incumbent members of the Cultus Lake Park Board have formed a mini-slate to run for re-election on Oct. 20.

David Renwick and Darcy Bauer announced their bid to run again, stating they hope the community will vote for them so they can finish what they started.

“Over the last four years, the Cultus Lake Park Board (CLPB), management and staff have done an amazing job managing and improving the park,” the two said in a press release. “Through a partnership with the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), we have been able to finalize Plan Cultus - a 20 year future plan for the park. A new state of the art water system has been installed which has dramatically improved the water quality, safety, reliability and fire protection for Cultus Lake residents, commercial lease holders and Sunnyside campground.”

(See below for their full statement.)

The two pointed to a number of other accomplishments along with the challenges ahead for the next four years.

“We are hoping for community support to re-elect us so we may finish what we have started.”

The Cultus Lake Park Board is made of of five members, three of which are voted on by Cultus Lake residents/leaseholders, two of which by City of Chilliwack residents.

Bauer and Renwick are running in the City of Chilliwack area. Also on the ballot for Chilliwack residents will be Patrick Quigley.

The three candidates running in the Cultus Lake area, who will be acclaimed, are incumbents Joe Lamb and Larry Payeur, and Casey Smit.

• READ MORE: Final list of 2018 election candidates confirmed for Chilliwack and beyond

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Full statement from David Renwick and Darcy Bauer on their candidacy for the Cultus Lake Park Board

David Renwick QC and Dr. Darcy Bauer are seeking re-election as Chilliwack’s representatives on the Cultus Lake Park Board.

Over the last four years, the Cultus Lake Park Board (CLPB), management and staff have done an amazing job managing and improving the park. Through a partnership with the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), we have been able to finalize Plan Cultus - a 20 year future plan for the park. A new state of the art water system has been installed which has dramatically improved the water quality, safety, reliability and fire protection for Cultus Lake residents, commercial lease holders and Sunnyside camp ground.

This fall we will be starting construction on a new 6.5 million dollar state of the art Class A Plus sewer system. This will replace our aging, end stage sewer system, reducing environmental impact. It will also meet the requirements of Area H Cultus Lake Liquid Waste Management Plan and will be one of the key steps in the protection and preservation of Cultus Lake.

With the review and rewriting of all the CLPB Bylaws, governance has been dramatically improved. In addition, the jurisdiction of building bylaws and inspections was transferred to the FVRD.

The next four year will bring new challenges. We need to continue to work with other stake holders to improve the health of Cultus Lake as identified in the 2014 eutrophication of Cultus Lake study. We need to resolve the traffic congestion and access issues - particularly on busy days. The new roundabout at the bottom of Columbia Valley Road will be finished this fall, which will significantly reduce traffic congestion. We also have plans to work with all levels of government to install a pedestrian under pass between the waterpark and the strip mall, increasing pedestrian safety and traffic flow.

We hope to see the expansion of the Around The Lake Trail through Cultus Lake Park and a proper tree health and management plan needs to to be initiated. We need to implement a plan for the rehabilitation of the lake’s eroding foreshore, and for milfoil and goose management.

Policy and bylaws around short term rentals and secondary suites needs to be addressed. Finally, we would like to see a plan in place for the controlled re-development of the Village Centre as identified in Plan Cultus.

We have witnessed a large increase in population and tourism to Cultus Lake over the past few years. Through a partnership with the City of Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley Regional District, we would like to see the implementation of a seasonal RCMP Community Policing satellite office servicing area H.

We are hoping for community support to re-elect us so we may finish what we have started.