Transportation
Handi-Bus
Powell River Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities (MCP) lobbied long and hard to get an accessible transportation system operating in Powell River. These efforts resulted in the Handicapped Dial A Ride Transportation (HandyDART) system and the Parallel (Para) Transit system operating in the community and outlying regions. As well, the municipal transit system operates accessible buses in their fleet.BC Ferries
The MCP works with the BC Ferry Authority to ensure that their ships continue to be accessible for persons with disabilities. We are a member of the Municipal Ferry Stakeholders Committee that is presently examining the ferry schedules, the relocation of the ferry landing and the Westview ferry ramps. We have been instrumental in bringing the handyDART and the ParaTransit systems to Powell River that continues to be very useful.Unfortunately, some requests for transportation cannot be filled. We continue to work on the issue of evening and weekend service and at this time, it has not resolved the evening and weekend problems of no available public transportation. In a joint effort between the MCP, the Municipality, and the public transit system, we have acquired two new low floor buses for the public transit that has alleviated some of the overflow problems of the handyDART and ParaTransit Systems. The Municipality has decided that a person with disabilities can have an attendant travel with them, free of charge on the transit system.
Powell River Hospital Entrance
When the Powell River General Hospital was built, it had a very difficult incline and approach to the front entrance that had a pebbled concrete surface. This surface presented problems for person with wheelchairs and those using canes, as these would be caught in the pebbled surface. Parking for the handicapped was too far removed and there were very poor curb cuts. After long negotiations and funding applications, these problems are resolved and four handicapped parking stalls have been placed adjacent to the entrance.SPARC Handicap Parking Permit Program
MCP started a pilot project for BC with the Social Planning and Research Council of British Columbia (SPARC) in Vancouver to provide handicapped parking permits in Powell River. This has been an extremely successful project and SPARC has since extended this project to fourteen other communities.Audio Pedestrian Signals
Better access for people with visual disabilities was ensured in June 1994 with the installation of audible pedestrian signals at the corner of Alberni St. and Joyce Ave. These signals were achieved by lobbying municipal council and through our fundraising efforts. The council matched fifty percent of the total cost. Since then several others have been installed.Parking Survey
MCP conducted a parking survey in conjunction with the one that was under contract with consultants through the municipality. MCP's portion was the parking availability for persons with disabilities and recommendations for improvement.Housing
Housing Needs Assessment
MCP was instrumental in the development of a thirty-one (31) unit accessible and income supported housing complex. We also operate a ten (10) unit income supported housing complex south of town. The length of the waiting list demonstrates the need for additional income supported housing in Powell River.Model Community Project / Life Cycle Housing
On the initiative of Model Community Project and on the strength of the Housing Needs Assessment report and through the cooperation of our municipal council who provided a ninety-nine year lease on suitable property the government funded the $2.3 million dollar housing project. A thirty-one unit accessible complex was finished in 1997 through which sixty percent are income supported. It is operational and all the minor problems that are generally associated with a project of this size have smoothed out. It is a very attractive development and there are long waiting lists of potential renters.Life Cycle / Brew Bay Housing
Life Cycle Housing Society has taken over the Brew Bay Housing Development, which is located in a beautiful sandy bay. The Brew Bay location has twelve houses, which were secured through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).Recreation
Inland Lake Campsite Trail System
A major achievement for the MCP has been the Inland Lake Campsite Trail System that won the Premier’s Award of Excellence in Design. A thirteen KM trail built around Inland Lake was finished in 1989. The trails, fishing wharf and swimming facilities are all accessible. Over the past two years MCP has undertaken a major refurbishment of the trail to ensure it continues to be accessible for all users.
