A newly installed 133-foot mobi-mat and free-to-rent beach wheelchairs are now in place on Parksville Bay beach, allowing those with mobility issues to enjoy the sand and surf more easily. (Access Oceanside Association)

By Jordan Davidson

increased accessibility

Mobility mats installed at Parksville Beach

Jul 19, 2024 | 4:34 PM

PARKSVILLE — A local beach is now more accessible than ever, after the installation of an accessible beach mat and the donation of two beach wheelchairs.

The new accessible items are now in place at Parksville Bay Beach at the Community Park, with the new 133-foot-long mobi-mat made from reclaimed plastic, starting at the concrete ramp in front of the waterfront gazebo.

Parksville mayor Doug O’Brien said they are incredibly grateful to see this mat installed, thanks to the generous donation by Corona Canada.

“It was installed on Wednesday, and we have been watching the participation on the mobi-mat and the uses on it, and we said, ‘we should have got the freeway model, the double-wide because there’s been so much traffic using it,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Local partnerships with the Access Oceanside Association, the Beach Club Resort, and Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association helped make the mobi-mat possible.

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Parksville council was planning to look at ways to make their beaches more accessible in 2025, but thanks to the donation by Corona Canada they were able to accelerate the timeline.

“Pulling kids in wagons with all of their sand gear it’s tough getting down to the beach, and it made it safe for them get down there,” said O’Brien. “Toddlers as well, had a hard time navigating the little bit of rocky area before you get to that beautiful sand.”

The new mobi-mat allows for a seamless transition from the boardwalk to the beach and into the ocean. (City of Parksville)

City staff were also granted the required federal and provincial permits in an expedited fashion due to the significance of improving access community-wide.

O’Brien said this pilot project will determine if more mobi-mats are required in their community.

“We look forward to seeing how this project helps to improve accessibility at Parksville Bay beach.”

A number of other communities on the mid-Island have installed similar mobility mats in recent years, including three in Nanaimo installed last year, following the successful rollout of the seasonal mobility mats at Departure Bay Beach in 2022.

Parksville city staff will be monitoring the beach this summer for any issues that may arise while operating in the marine environment.

High tides and windy conditions caused some issues for a mobility mat on the Qualicum Beach waterfront when it was first installed in 2021.

The donation also includes two beach wheelchairs which can be reserved free of charge through the Beach Club Resort by calling them at 250-248-8999, or beachclub@bellstar.ca.

(L-R) Ralph Tietjen of Access Oceanside Association, Parksville Coun. Joel Grenz, chair of the Access Oceanside Association Sandra Hobson, Parksville/QB Tourism Association’s Blain Sepos, mayor Doug O’Brien, and MLA for Parksville/Qualicum Beach Adam Walker. (City of Parksville)

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