Colliery Dam Park
Postmedia News notes a civil disobedience training session organized by the Council of Canadians Nanaimo chapter taking place on Saturday June 1. The workshop presenter will be our Vancouver-based BC-Yukon organizer Harjap Grewal.
While the training session had been previously planned, it will be useful for those who are organizing to save Colliery Dam Park.
Postmedia News adds, “The Veterans of Clayoquot announced Tuesday they are prepared to occupy Colliery Dam Park to prevent the removal of the dams this July. The group wants the city to listen to a citizen proposal to remove and rebuild the dams one-at-a-time, beginning in 2014.”
As noted on the City of Nanaimo website, “The Colliery Dams are a rare link with Nanaimo’s industrial heritage. Built in 1910-11 by the Western Fuel Company to supply water for coal washing and for use by miners, mules and horses in the mines, the water system quickly developed an important secondary use. Homes near the pipeline were allowed to tap the line for domestic uses and eventually this water was carried to most of the homes in South Harewood.”
Dave Cutts, the local co-ordinator of Veterans of Clayoquot, says, “There is no reason for (the city) to rip them both out. …We’re not going to stand by and watch those dams get ripped out and left as mud holes. We’re going to go all the way to protect them.”
The article adds, “His group will meet with citizens at 11 a.m. Sunday (May 19) at Colliery Dam Park to talk about the potential to occupy. It would involve tents and tree platforms. Ideas also include a ‘navy’ of boats in the dam to prevent the draining of water.” Those interested in participating in the occupation are also being encouraged to attend the Council of Canadians training session.
