Leaders and representatives from all levels of government gathered last Friday to celebrate the official handover of the former North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment at 6060 Canada Ave. to Cowichan Tribes, marking a new chapter for its emergency services and public works departments.
North Cowichan recently sold the 1.15 hectare property and building to Cowichan Tribes for $1.2 million with a covenant to protect the surrounding wetlands of Bings Creek from future development. This would also allow North Cowichan to continue restoration work of the wetland in 2025.
“The sale of this property to Cowichan Tribes is awesome,” said Cowichan Valley NDP MLA and former Cowichan Tribes Coun. Debra Toporowski. “This is such a great day to see this building being repurposed to be part of the community,”
The building, constructed in the 1980s, did not meet the needs of the RCMP due to its location and size but the building is in great condition otherwise, according to the municipality.
A small portion in front of the property was not included in the sale and will be held by the municipality to create an active transportation corridor for cycling and walking.
The handover ceremony consisted of an opening prayer from Elder Albie Charlie, remarks from North Cowichan Acting Mayor and Coun. Chris Istace and Cowichan Tribes Deputy Chief Audrey George and the passing of a ceremonial key carved by Harvey Dick Sr.
Cowichan Tzinquaw Dancers sang and danced a victory song to close out the ceremony.
A new home for growing departments
Cowichan Tribes plans to use the building to house two departments, public works and emergency services, both of which have outgrown their current spaces and are looking to expand.
Public works currently shares space with the sustainable housing department on Allenby Road, while emergency services is renting space in North Cowichan, far away from Cowichan Tribes central offices. The new building will bring them closer to the community.
“Our ability to increase capacities to serve our citizens has been hampered,” George said. “These departments provide essential services, and they require space in order to address urgent infrastructure and safety needs. Their work cannot wait.”
The Cowichan Tribes public works department is responsible for everything from maintaining roads, water and sewer systems to waste collection. Last year, the department led planning for a new youth and recreation centre, health centre and assisted in re-opening Allenby Road according to public works director Chris Desautels.
The team is really excited about moving to the new site so close to the Cowichan Tribes administration office, Desautels says.
Created only a few years ago, the emergency services department has grown to have six staff members, George said, and with that growth has come an increase in funding as well as equipment that needs to be stored in a secure place.
The land and building handover means emergency services will have a central place to “easily mobilize” equipment when the team is dealing with search and rescue, fire and floods, George said.
An evolution of partnership
“This isn’t a facility for just Cowichan tribes, especially in the light of climate change and ongoing crises we face together with our local governments. This is a journey that Cowichan Tribes is embarking on for everybody,” Istace said.
According to Istace, protecting the S’amunu (Somenos) watershed is still partly the responsibility of North Cowichan and the municipality plans to “do the ecological restoration work that’s needed” on the surrounding areas.
Read more: What does adapting to climate change look like for North Cowichan?
The sale terms secured the floodplains around the building from future development.
Negotiations on the sale went well, according to Istace, and he said Cowichan Tribes was “very gracious” in allowing the municipality to plan for an active transportation corridor in front of the building. He described it as an evolution in the existing partnership the municipality has with Cowichan Tribes.
“The more we acknowledge each other, the more this relationship of respect will grow and will continue to look after our people, our youth and our Elders,” said Elder and former Cowichan Tribes Coun. Albie Charlie, who remarked that the partnership between all local governments and Cowichan Tribes has grown over the years.
After a fresh coat of paint and after the departments have settled, Cowichan Tribes will host an official grand opening ceremony for the building in the summer.
