Youbou Regatta Returns
After a two-year hiatus, our Youbou regatta returns on Saturday, August 13. The day kicks off at 8 am with a community breakfast at the Youbou Fire Department, courtesy of our volunteer fire fighters. Fully fortified, find a spot by 10:30 to watch the shortest parade in the world—somewhere between the community hall and Arbutus Park is best. If you want to walk in the parade, just show up at the hall around 9:45. The regatta games and competitions will start at 11:00 at Arbutus Park and will likely be more land-based than in the water, due to the shortage of lifeguards.
Arbutus Park Swimming
The CVRD was unsuccessful at recruiting lifeguards and swimming teachers for Arbutus Park this summer. As a result, swimming is at your own risk at the beach and swimming lessons could not happen. As we look to next summer, let’s think about getting some folks certified and trained so we can have lifeguards and swimming lessons in 2023!
Crab Fest Nets Success
A sold-out crowd feasted on a delectable crab dinner with all the trimmings on Saturday, July 16 at our Youbou Hall. Almost 100 friends and neighbours were eager to catch up with one another as they cracked claws and quaffed a cold beverage together, all to the summery music of Bruce Bunting. It was the first social event hosted by the Youbou Community Association since the beginning of the pandemic and board members pitched in to make it a success. Special thanks go to board members Eva and Garry Fearon, who dreamed up the idea, procured the crab and planned the dinner. Thanks also Youbou General Store and Daly’s Auto Service Centre for help with selling the tickets.
Summer Play for Kids
The CVRD Recreation Department is hosting free Park Playground Days for kids at the Youbou Little League Park every Friday this summer through August 26. Programming for children from ages 2 to 5 is between 9:30 and 11:30 and parents should plan to remain at the park. Older children (from 6 to 12) can enjoy activities from 12:30 to 3:30. In the event of extreme heat or other inclement weather, play days will move to Youbou Hall. Kids’ programming is also available on Mondays at Mesachie Skydome Ball Field, Tuesdays at Stoker Park, Wednesdays at the Little League Park in Lake Cowichan, and Thursdays at Honeymoon Bay Hall.
Youbou Sunday Market
Take a little time on Sunday mornings to check out the Youbou Sunday Market behind the Youbou Pub. The market is in full swing from 10 am to 2 pm on Sundays through August.
Summer Bowling
Saturdays through August 27 is open bowling from 6 to 9 pm.
Dusty Road Update
We seem to be losing ground on our battle with road dust and mud on Youbou Road. Area I Director Klaus Kuhn reports some personnel changes have occurred at the Ministry of Transport and the contractor who was doing the road sweeping has sold the sweeper. It seems we need to continue to make a case for regular and proper street cleaning, which also means disposing of the street dirt in an environmentally smart way. If you wish to add your voice to the effort, you can send an email to Shawn Haley, Operations Manager at the Ministry of Transport, at Shawn.Haley@gov.bc.ca It’s also a good idea to copy Klaus at KKuhn@cvrd.bc.ca on your email.
Laketown Ranch Development
You still have time to comment on the housing development plans at Laketown Ranch. CVRD has scheduled an online Public Hearing for the application on Wednesday, August 3 from 5 to 7 pm. Check the CVRD web site for details.
YCA Seeking New Board Members
Three dedicated members of the Youbou Community Association are stepping down after five years of service. We’d like to thank Spencer Day, Allan Gott, and Lori LaFave for their many contributions and wish them well as they focus on other roles in the community. As the Youbou Community Association is looking ahead to busier times, we’d like to add four members to our volunteer board. The board meets monthly to plan social and community betterment activities for Youbou and Area I. If you’re interested, please contact us at Julia@raedwulf.org.
An Update from Mosaic
By Pam Jorgensen, RPF, Land Use Forester
Below is a mid-year update on Mosaic’s activities in and around Youbou.
Big Coast Carbon: On March 16th, we announced the Big Coast Forest Climate Initiative, through which we will defer harvesting on nearly 40,000 hectares of private land in Coastal BC. In exchange for harvest deferrals on these lands, we’re able to sell carbon credits. Some of this deferred area includes lands above the community of Youbou, which will be set aside and deferred from harvesting for at least 25 years. Final maps are still being produced. Harvest units A-D, which were presented to the community in June 2021, are not in the carbon project, but much of the remaining Youbou hillside is.
Christopher Rock and Trailblazers: The Cowichan Lake Trail Blazers Society started work on the Christopher Rock Trail earlier this year, making the route safer for public use. We are grateful to all the volunteers in that group for their time and dedication to safe, local trail use! Mosaic looks forward to partnering with the group on signage later this year.
Recent and Upcoming Activity: Mosaic initiated road building on a short stretch of road, starting from Meade Creek Main last year. Activity was periodic to account for weather and crew availability. We will be recommencing road building in that area in late June or early July 2022. This road is consistent with plans that have been previously shared with the community related to units A and B.
The area beyond Youbou near the old truck wash unit C, could have road building commencing in the fall of 2022, but this is pending a variety of factors including crew availability. As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions at Pam.Jorgenson@MosaicForests.com
Are You a YCA Member?
The Youbou Community Association is involved in helping community activities happen, such as the monthly newsletter, crab fest, holiday decorating, and other events throughout the year. While we love our facebook friends, an official family lifetime membership in the organization is just $10 and involves filling out a form. It is a key to knowing what’s going on around Youbou as well as giving you a vote at our annual meetings. We’ll email you our colourful community newsletter every month. To join, reach out to cherylmtutor@gmail.com
Got News?
If you’d like to contribute news for the newsletter about a public event happening (or not happening) in or around Youbou and Area I, please send particulars about date, time and place to julia@raedwulf.org, by the 20th of the month, please. You can also check our web site at youbouyca.com and our Youbou Community Association facebook page for the latest information.
Dates
Wednesday, August 3: Laketown Ranch Public Hearing
Saturday, August 13: Youbou Regatta
Your YCA Board
Chair: Julia Martinusen
Secretary: Randall Wilson
Treasurer: Steve Watt
Social: Eva Fearon
Garry Fearon
Membership: Cheryl Morgan
At large: Debbie Smith