A proposed 82.4 metre boardwalk in Nanoose Bay's Schooner Cove has drawn the ire of residents of a nearby condo building, with this rendered photo showing the boardwalk mere feet from the front of the condo building. (RDN)

By Jordan Davidson

boardwalk issues

‘Serious, unacceptable intrusion:’ Schooner Cove boardwalk plan in limbo following public outcry

May 29, 2025 | 5:24 AM

NANOOSE BAY — A proposed boardwalk in Schooner Cove will need to come up with a new plan, after a lengthy list of speakers at a regional board meeting lodged their opposition.

The planned 82.4 metre boardwalk at 3521 Dolphin Dr., is one of a number of developments planned by Seacliff Properties for the area, with the revamped Fairwinds Marina opening earlier this year.

Regional District of Nanaimo board directors heard from over a dozen people on Tuesday, May 27, speaking out against a development permit for the proposal, including Doreen Dunn from nearby Schooner House, a 49-unit condo complex with the boardwalk planned for right in front of their building.

“Our homes and shared spaces risk becoming an unregulated public corridor. If a pathway is built across our lawn from the proposed bridge, this modification severely compromises our safety, security, environmental integrity, and our outdoor activities. This public pathway represents a serious, unacceptable intrusion, particularly for the ground floor owners.”

The current view of the area of Schooners Cove with Schooner House on the left, with the drawings indicating where the proposed boardwalk would go. (RDN)

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The issue causing concern for Dunn and other nearby residents is a variance being requested to reduce the minimum setback requirement from the condo’s lot line from 4.5 metres to zero.

Dunn, who also served as past-president for their strata council, said the increased public exposure heightens the risk of theft, and “diminishes personal safety, and reduces overall livability.”

“As an older woman, I am afraid. I won’t be able to have my door open for fear of a break-in. This is not an inconvenience, it is a matter of personal safety and peace of mind. That offers no benefit to anyone except Seacliff, trying yet again to facilitate a cheaper connection between the existing development and their future projects to the south.”

She accused Seacliff and the RDN of “unilaterally altering” the planned routes without clear communication to the affected residents, plans which have been in the works for a number of years.

Fellow Schooner House resident Ralph Kaehn echoed those words, saying this project should be focused on people, like his ground-floor neighbours who face the water.

Kaehn told the board if built in its current design, the boardwalk would be within arm’s length of some of their units.

“I think one of the original designs was a floating walkway, and I think that’s a no-brainer….anything else but this. And oh my God, if something was to happen to one of my neighbours because of what you guys are going to pass today, it would be on you guy’s [sic] head, not Seacliff, it would be on your head.”

Another look at the proposed boardwalk in front of Schooners House in Nanoose Bay. (RDN)

However, not everyone who spoke at the meeting was against the idea.

Trevor Chomick, president of the strata for The Westerly, located on Dolphin Dr., adjacent to Schooner House, submitted a letter of support from a group of owners from his building.

Admitting his opinions might not be popular with his neighbours at Schooner House, he said a lot of their owners felt this proposal would make the area more walkable, especially for older residents.

“Some owners had mentioned the Schooner Cove Neighbourhood Plan, and all that plan talks about is a community that is walkable, a community that respects the environment. Right now, we don’t think Schooner Cove is a very walkable community….it’s quite difficult to go anywhere else with Dolphin Dr. right behind us, the hills…..it’s not that safe of a place to walk.”

Chomick said they feel this extension and interconnection to future developments would make the area more enjoyable to live in.

A letter of support from Snaw-Naw-As First Nation from February was also included in the report

After over two hours of discussion, the board voted to send the proposal back to the committee stage and get the two sides together to find a solution.

In a statement provided to NanaimoNewsNOW from Seacliff Properties, they say they are aware of the concerns from the residents of Schooner House and “remain committed to working collaboratively to address them.”

“The boardwalk is a legal commitment under the Fairwinds Phased Development Agreement, a document that was negotiated and informed through extensive community consultation over a number of years. This public amenity is a fundamental component of the community-centred vision outlined in the Schooner Cove Neighbourhood Plan, which prioritizes walkability, environmental stewardship, and interconnectivity. The application before the board is related to only a portion of the boardwalk that would sit completely within property already owned by Fairwinds,” the statement reads.

They said they’ve received strong support from the local community regarding this project.

Editor’s note: NanaimoNewsNOW made our best effort to correctly spell each speaker’s name, however, not all were provided. Email us at info@nanaimonewsnow.com for any corrections, and we will update the story accordingly.

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