"There are a lot of hard feelings. Boating was a healthy alternative for our teenaged children. They weren't hanging out in front of the 7-Eleven. Our family could explore, put out the crab net and try to fish."

 

The upscale restaurant, approved by Port Moody council at a closed session in November 2005, will open this summer. The $3,750 monthly lease was approved last summer by a 4-3 vote. Council's three new members were opposed.

"Council gave it away," said Swalwell, who suspects the lease is way below market value. "Restaurants have tried for 12 years to get in the park before they finally got the votes."

The 9,400-square-foot restaurant will take over the double-length, drive-through parking lot with 81 spaces reserved for boaters.

All but 20 of the trailer spaces will be replaced, but most of them will be some distance from the launch ramp.

Swalwell said the restaurant will need up to 80 parking spots, in competition with everyone for available spaces. "It's not just about boaters," she said. "It's about everyone who uses the park."

Resident and council watcher Hazel Mason said there should have been a debate in open council. Mason believes it's a bad business deal. Her research shows the restaurant's monthly lease should be at least four times higher. She said an estimated $500,000 for an extended pier and replacement boat trailer parking is more than the base lease payments for 10 years.

The city says its total return will be $160,000 annually, including property taxes. It will receive 3.5 per cent of the restaurant's gross receipts of about $3-million-plus a year.

"This will enhance the park experience," said Mayor Joe Trasolini. "Not everyone agreed with our decision, but the democratic system was used.

"The lease was tendered to the highest bidder. All I hear now are questions about when the restaurant will open."

James Moore, the Tory MP for Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam, said he received a petition opposing the restaurant signed by more than 200 residents. He said council should have tried to get environmental approval for a site on pilings over the water.

"I don't buy the fact it was not environmentally possible," said Moore. "Look at the Vancouver Convention Centre." kspencer@png.canwest.com

© The Vancouver Province 2007