Marina lands in Port Alberni to be transformed into community gathering spot

The space at Clutesi Haven Marina is expected to feature an open stage for live music, retail venues, food trucks and a sheltered courtyard 

Preparation work is set to begin this month to transform unused land at Port Alberni’s Clutesi Haven Marina into a vibrant area offering live music on an open stage, retail venues, more food trucks and a sheltered courtyard — all in time for summer. 

The goal is to create “a community gathering spot” that attracts locals as well as visitors to the site close to the Somass River where the marina is located, Port Alberni chief administrative officer Mike Fox said Tuesday. 

The land is owned by the city and the marina area is leased by the Port Alberni Port Authority, which runs the Clutesi Haven Marina. 

The project to redevelop the space came from a working group made up of Tseshaht First Nation, Hupacasath First Nation and the city. 

Hupacasath First Nation elected Chief Brandy Lauder described the planned gathering area as a “vibrant market that showcases our nations.” 

Vendors and food services will be housed in metal shipping containers — set to arrive in March — wrapped with First Nations artwork. 

The First Nation-municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) will put out a call for vendors to fill the estimated six spots, the city said in a statement. 

Food outlets will be able to remain year-round, and some of the shipping containers will have sewer and water connections, Fox said. 

A new outdoor seating area will be developed, as will a stage with the river as a backdrop, with the improvements set to be completed by summer. 

Additional parking for vehicles and boat trailers will be created. 

The marina has nearly 170 mooring spaces with both short-term and long term moorage available, plus a boat ramp. 

A total of $418,000 was raised to carry out redevelopment of the marina lands. More than half — $248,000 — comes from the Tourism Growth Program under Pacific Economic Development Canada, the dedicated federal economic development agency for British Columbians. 

Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure B.C. provided $91,360, CEDI put in $45,000 and the Island Coastal Economic Trust supplied $27,847. 

Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions said in the statement that the city is “eager to see this area transformed into one that creates opportunities for small business development, builds a place that attracts tourists and locals alike…” 

Nearby, the city has planned a large mixed-use development on the 43-acre Somass Lands, once home to a Western Forest Products sawmill. That project calls for converting the waterfront lands into a mix of parks, retail, offices and housing. 

“This is a really exciting project for our three governments,” elected Chief Ken Watts (Wahmeesh) of Tseshaht First Nation said of the marina project. 

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