We visited Butedale for an overnight stay in the summer of 2018. While there, we met the very friendly and accomodating owners who were hard at work redeveloping. While in some ways, I agree with you Pete, the buildings were very dilapidated and literally unsafe. I don't know how the bay could be redeveloped in a way where they could be "conserved" without a great deal of added expense.
For example, we had an old firehall in the department where I worked. We needed to rebuild it to fit modern fire apparatus and current and future staffing needs. However, the building had been declared a heritage building and we had to save the outside shell. We did. At great added cost we preserved the outward appearance, and ended up with a "new" firehall that did not meet our needs (but we could "make it work") and cost at least double what a complete rebuild would have been.
Personally, I wish them luck, but to complete the proposed development will require lots and lots of money, and I wonder at the ability of this operation to "pay back" these costs??
Leave it to nature some might say. Well there is alot of nature for miles and miles all around this area. Having one facility available in this area to me would probably enhance the experience and ability to enjoy the area. Like me, for some, the freshwater is a big plus.
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Tom
Nanaimo, BC
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