While fees always go up, it seems the services and amenities offered by the marina are constantly eroding. Here's a list of what we've lost over the years:
Going back even earlier, did you know...
While we do appreciate that some repairs have been carried out, these were nonetheless necessary to keep the marina operating at its current state. Asides from the addition of showers in 2014, the last time the marina saw any substantial upgrades was in 1986! (when dock fingers S and T were added.)
- 2022: A large part of the parking lot taken over by Cabaret Bijou for over 6 months of the year. Marina customers were not consulted on this.
- 2022: Boat launch ramp out of service (again) due to potholes, and failed attempts at earlier repairs.
- 2020: Launching crane taken out of service in the middle of summer sailing season. No reasons given as to why. Cal 20 fleet left stranded. Crane has not been restored. BCMCA had to make an FOI request for report on the crane and relevant documents.
- 2020: Boat launching space at E dock, beside launching crane. Now permanently leased out.
- 2019: Laundry machines removed.
- 2019: Tide Grid removed. Marina patrons not consulted.
- 2019: Number of fobs now restricted to 2 per customer. Particularly problematic for boats owned by more than one person, or club boats operated by several people.
- 2018: Dock boxes and dinghy mounts ordered removed.
- 2018: Dinghy floats removed. Customers told they have to store dinghies on boats, or drag them all the way to a storage area at the back corner of the parking lot. Some floats (east side only) restored two years later, but a new fee now applies to use them.
- 2018: Overnight privileges (up to 60 days in a year) removed from the contract.
- 2018: Visitors parking passes no longer available
- 2018: Lockers for patrons removed from marina office.
- 2018: BCMCA Notice Board removed. Posting of notices now strictly controlled by management.
- 2017: Workspace area in parking lot reduced.
- 2016: False Creek Ferries told they are not allowed to pick up or drop off patrons along L dock.
- 2015: Notice of Fees and Charges Meeting. Notices used to be posted well in advance so members could attend & speak at Parks Board meetings. Now it seems the policy is to keep members in the dark and get increases approved without the public being aware.
- 2011: Fire alarm pull stations removed from docks. Apparently they never worked.
- 2010: Live-in caretaker discontinued. Residence was given over to artists group for several years.
- 2010: Ice chest removed.
- 2006: 10% Seniors Discount eliminated.
- 2004: Number of spaces in parking lot cut back to 168.
- Since 2000: West side boaters are stranded at very low tides, especially along AA and A docks. Management seems to think that maintenance dredging is not allowed by DFO, yet other marinas and commercial terminals do this all the time.
Going back even earlier, did you know...
- There used to be 2 launching cranes?
- There used to be over 300 parking spaces?
- Cultural Harmony Grove Park used to be a boat workyard?
While we do appreciate that some repairs have been carried out, these were nonetheless necessary to keep the marina operating at its current state. Asides from the addition of showers in 2014, the last time the marina saw any substantial upgrades was in 1986! (when dock fingers S and T were added.)