Increasing accessibility for all benefits our entire community. When first elected I met with John Higginbotham and toured Courtenay in a scooter from the Air Park to North Island College. It was clear that many of the streets, intersections and public buildings were not designed for accessibility. Over the years I met with John for tours and was fortunate to have him support the accessibility community. I also appreciated his endorsement of me for mayor.
I helped link the city, as well as developers, to work with the Rick Hansen Foundation for certification of accessible projects which in turn can help fund them through the foundation.
The work of making Courtenay accessible for all continues as we look for opportunities. The main argument against increasing accessibility is the cost, however the investment makes it better for everyone.
Transportation is a complicated conversation which I am happy to have. Some people may not be aware that some of the roads within Courtenay like Cliffe Ave from 17th St going south and the bypass from 17th to Ryan Rd and up Ryan Rd from Superstore to CFB Comox base entrance are all owned and controlled by the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Transit. This means Courtenay is only able to advocate for changes, upgrades and improvements but that the Ministry then chooses its own priorities from across the province, with our priorities often not making their list. They have said they will not entertain doubling the lanes down Ryan Rd by North Island College, or the bypass to the 17th Street Bridge after decades of discussion. The city has requested that the ministry synchronize the traffic lights to make traffic movements more efficient.
The city has focused on improvements within our own control including the 5th and Cliffe intersection and working with SD71 on the Safe and Active Schools Program to improve safety for students travelling to and from school, and encourage more students to walk, cycle, or use other more active and sustainable travel options.
I have supported expanded and improved transit service throughout the Comox Valley since 2014 to make it more convenient for users. The increased service has resulted in a 25% increase in riders over the past decade. However we need to continue to make it more convenient to increase ridership across the entire Comox Valley.
Accessibility is about more than ramps and sidewalks—it means identifying and removing the physical, communication, technological and systemic barriers that prevent people from fully participating in community life.
As Courtenay’s population ages, thoughtful planning for housing, accessibility, transportation, recreation and community services will become increasingly important to helping residents remain active, independent and connected.
A successful downtown needs more than storefronts—it needs people living nearby, thriving local businesses, welcoming public spaces and transportation connections that make the area easy to reach and enjoyable to spend time in.
Protecting Courtenay’s urban forest means finding a practical balance between preserving mature trees, planting for the future and accommodating the housing, infrastructure and neighbourhood growth our community needs.
Safer streets are about giving everyone—drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, children and people with mobility challenges—a transportation network that allows them to move around Courtenay safely and efficiently.
The 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge is the result of more than two decades of community advocacy, planning, public consultation and collaboration between local and senior governments.
Over the past 6 months I’ve been chatting with the Mayor of Burlington about her Elect respect Campaign.
Everyone in the Comox Valley, including those in Cumberland, Courtenay, Comox and K’ómoks First Nation, who wants to be connected to a family doctor will soon have access to one, thanks to the recruitment of dozens of family doctors in partnership with the local prim…
Over half-a-million Canadians joined together in ceremony and solidarity on Moose Hide Campaign Day with the goal of ending gender-based violence.
Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells addresses concerns regarding 6 the Street Bridger project
New pilot approved to install free menstraul product dispensers at Lewis and LINC centres.
Residents have been requesting safer pedestrian/cycling infrastructure along Lake Trail Road for many years. Last week, the government announced funding for the project.
The Dingwall Steps connect the top end of Dingwall Road to Carmanah Drive.