Director proposes name Regional District by the Salish Sea
The name has been around for nearly half a century but now a majority of directors serving the Regional District of Nanaimo say it’s time for a change.
The move led by the mayor of Qualicum Beach.
“I always thought that when you’re part of the Regional District of Nanaimo it seems like you’re part of Nanaimo and we’re much bigger than that,” says Teunis Westbroek.
In fact, the regional district spans from Bowser to Cedar.
The Nanaimo name across many of 2000 signs in its parks and administrative buildings.
Westbooke says he’s wanted a change for years but there hasn’t been enough support until now.
“Is it worthwhile?” he asks. “What is it going to cost? What names could we come up with? How would we go to the public engagement process to get the community involved?”
But not all his colleagues agree. Joe Stanhope was among the dissenting minority.
He believes “…the Nanaimo Regional District is well understood. The cost would be significant and it would be a huge undertaking…”
Regional District Chair and “Area H” Director Bill Veenhof is among those who voted for staff to investigate the change. “I support looking at it. Do we want to do it? Do we not want to do it. Does it make sense or not?”
Regional Districts have changed names in the past. BC’s most populated changed from the Greater Vancouver Regional District to Metro Vancouver in 2008.
And that same year the Comox-Strathcona Regional District split into two and each took part of its name.
“Having the name of Nanaimo tied to the Regional District doesn’t state really what the Regional District of Nanaimo is about,” says Veenhof. “We have some other vibrant communities.”
People in Qualicum Beach have mixed views.
“I think it’s going to cost a lot of money which is unnecessary.”
“A different name would be nice. I think it’s a great idea.”
Westbrook’s preference is “Regional District by the Salish Sea or “Mount Benson Arrowsmith Regional District.”
But he’s still looking for input on a new name and whether, after nearly 50 years, a change makes sense.
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