October 20 2025
BAMFIELD COMMUNTY AFFAIRS SOCIETY
General Meeting Unofficial Minutes
Monday 20 October 2025 at 18.30
Via Zoom. Hosted by Jamie Willock
Attendees (19): James Willock (chair), Susan Derasp, Barry Sills, Max Salamon, Stacy Denton, Tom Jensen, Amy McConnell, Frank Novak, Bob Beckett, Robin and Bob Schmitt, Jomy Thomas, Julie Bradley, Anne Stewart, Ben West, Jerry Gassner, Brad Beaith, Laura Bradley, Jan Teversham.
Regrets: Stella Wenstob
Acknowledgement of Indigenous Lands. The BCAS acknowledges that the land on which we meet is within the traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation where indigenous peoples have lived for time immemorial.
The meeting was called to order at 18.32.
Jamie explained that the Robert’s Rules of order would no longer be followed in the meetings as they were unnecessarily onerous and consensus was nearly always achieved. The agenda was presented and no one had any comments on the previous minutes sent out.
ACRD DIRECTOR’S REPORT- Bob Beckett
The Bamfield Road. Bob recently talked to the ACRD-EOC about the road. The Power Point presentation that followed was provided by MOT.
The road is scheduled to be totally open on the 24-25-26 October but on Monday 27th October more work has to be completed related to danger trees. The road will then be closed from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm for the next week. People can drive into Port Alberni early in the morning and return in the late afternoon. This work should be completed in a week but it is really dependent on the weather. DriveBC is to be the official go to source to determine whether the road is open or not.
Discussion and Questions
Ben wondered when the road would be officially open so that Google could change the information for those looking to find out. Bob wondered whether detailed information such as the 9-3 opening could be displayed but Ben thought not. Bob asked if Drive BC and Google coordinated their information in any way but Ben did not know. He will ask his contacts. Bob will ask Karen of the EOC about a firm date of opening.
Jomy asked if there was an individual designated that people could phone to get accurate information about the road status in the event of an emergency when travel was essential but there isn’t anyone.
Bob said that Drive BC should be accurate. There will also be signs at the two ends of the road but these are to be manually changed. The Huu-ay-aht will be responsible at the Bamfield end. Jamie added that health emergencies leave by helicopter or boat when necessary. Max asked about the manual system of changing the signs and moving the gates. Could there not be an electronic system in place that could be changed remotely?
Jamie wondered how accurate and timely the DriveBC website would be. Julie said that it had been very accurate when there was a road closure in the interior during the summer due to a collision.
Susan double checked about the upcoming openings and closures after the 27th. It is not clear if a week’s 9-3 closures are for a 5-day week or include the weekend. In any event it is entirely dependent on the weather.
Bob added that he had met with the Minster of Transportation and Transit, Mike Farnworth, and talked about the possibility of MOT taking over the Bamfield Road.
TREASURER’S REPORT-Susan Derasp
There has been no activity in the account since the last report in September. Interest of $16.29 has accrued so that total assets are now $41,180.60.
Jamie urged people to think of some community projects to start so that GIAs could be awarded.
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Community School- Robin Schmitt
The indigenous medicine garden is now planted and will be further added to in the future.
The School growth plan is up on the school website if anyone wishes to read it.
The fall school district assessment is underway at the school right now.
BC Shake Out took place so the students all practiced “Drop, Cover, Hold”.
There is a pile of wood in the parking lot left after the Firesmart clean-up. Anyone can pick it up if they need some extra firewood.
Bamfield Harbour Authority- Tom Jensen
Nothing new to report since September.
The boat that runs to Port M-W-F has been docked at Fisheries but no moorage is being charged.
Community Forest- Amy McConnell
The report on Ecosystem Based Management for the Community Forest has been delivered and the Board will make plans based on it re the future management of the forest.
Salvage of downed trees along the Life Saving Trail was scheduled for the end of summer but was delayed by the fire. It will restart when the road reopens.
Arts Council- Julie Bradley
The Craft Fair will be held on Dec 7 at the RIX from 11-2.
BCSA-Jomy Thomas
Upcoming activities:
- Monster Mash from 6-8 on October 30 and it includes a bake sale.
- The Pottery class and Cooking class are both filled now
- Oysters, Authors and Ale will be held on Nov 15 at the Rix.
- A new aerobics class is starting up on Wednesdays.
- All ongoing activities can be seen on the BCSA website.
The next meeting will be on Monday 17 November.
Meeting Adjourned at 19.10.