YCA Annual General Meeting
The YCA hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on January 19, at Youbou Hall with a robust attendance. The board reviewed its successful 2024 year and held elections for the 2025 board. Re-elected were Adam Khomsi, Julia Martinusen, Sandra McAfee, Cheryl Morgan, Debbie Smith, Steve Watt, and Randall Wilson. Newly elected is Carmen Bruce. Two more volunteers were elected but absent, so their acceptance is pending. We still have a board position open and would love to see someone step forward. If you’re interested in serving, contact julia@raedwulf.org. We thank outgoing board members Joelle Belanger and Patrick Miller for their service. At our February board meeting, we’ll elect officers and start planning our event calendar for 2025. Additionally, Area I Representative Karen Deck gave an overview on happenings in Area I and Leroy Van Weirnen offered an update on the Lake Cowichan Wier progress. See related articles on those topics.
Bald Mountain Park Expands
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) announced the acquisition of approximately 75 hectares (185 acres) that will significantly increase the size of Bald Mountain Park. The CVRD purchased the land from Cowichan Lake Holdings Ltd., the owner of the Woodland Shores development, for a price of $2.5 million. The acquisition included a generous donation of land equal to approximately $800,000, as the purchase price was well below the current appraised market value. The original park was acquired and established by the CVRD in 2008, as part of the Woodland Shores project. This parkland acquisition increases the overall park size to approximately 425 hectares and completes the regional park originally envisioned in the CVRD Regional Parks & Trails Master Plan. More information on the management and planned improvements for this expansive park will be on the CVRD website, under About Parks & Trails: https://www.cvrd.ca/96/About-Parks-Trails
Area I 2025 Property Taxes Slightly Lower
The CVRD held a budget open house on January 8 at Centennial Hall for Areas I and F. Area I Director Karen Deck shared that taxes for the average Electoral Area I home have decreased by $12.34. The 2025 cost for an average Electoral Area I home was $1,047,743 with a tax bill of $1,927.52. The decrease was due to decreases in funding for Cowichan Lake Recreation, Cowichan Aquatic Centre, Planning, and Emergency Planning. Significant increases were noted for Regional Recreation, Transit, and General Government. While a decrease is welcome, Director Deck noted she’s sorry that taxes are still quite high for long-time residents who purchased their properties at a much lower value. For more information on the 2025 budget or to watch a video about it, go to cvrd.ca/services/finance.
Weir Update
Leroy Van Weiren talked about the progress on the Lake Cowichan Wier at the recent YCA AGM and shared visuals of the new weir design. Once plans have been finalized for a water license holder, the project will move forward a license review process that will include notifying lakefront property owners. Homeowners can see how the weir raising the lake level by 70 centimeters may affect their shoreline, through using the Property View Tool Link at CowichanLakeWeir.ca, under the Planning and Design section. For questions, you can use the contact link on the web site.
Firesmart Rebates
Todd Carnahan of the Firesmart team says the program has some exciting news for homeowners in Youbou for 2025—very significant rebates for residents who get assessments done in 2025, or had them reviewed in 2024 and 2023. More details will be forthcoming in a future issue. Free and confidential FireSmart Home Assessment is available to homeowners through the CVRD Emergency Management Cowichan (EMC). The team helps residents focus on the easiest, most effective actions to reduce wildfire hazards, providing confidential assessments free of charge to homeowners. Residents aren’t obligated to pursue any recommendations but homeowners in CVRD Electoral Areas can apply for rebates of thousands of dollars for implementing recommended mitigation activities. To reach the FireSmart Team, email your consultation request to firesmart@emcowichan.ca.
Sew-Sew
The new Sew Day gatherings at Youbou Church are so popular, the Wednesday program is expanding to twice a month. Crafters, creators, and quilters are invited to join the fun on February 12 and 26 from 10 am to 4 pm. The church will supply coffee and tea, iron, ironing board, cutting mats, tables, and friendship. You should bring:
1) Your sewing machine and crafting supplies for your project.
2) Your lunch
3) An extension cord and power bar.
4) A suggested cost of $5.00 per day.
CLAC AGM and Classes
The Youbou Arts Centre next to Arise Café held its Grand Re-opening with a fresh look in January. Stop by to see the revamped space from Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm. Or attend the AGM on Saturday, February 15, to find out more about the Cowichan Lake Arts and Culture Society (CLAC). You can also sign up for workshops scheduled at the Arts Centre for February and March:
Painting with a Palette Knife (Acrylic) with Loretta Puckrin: February 5, 12, and 19
Get Creative with Loretta Puckrin: February 16
Intro to Song with Meaghan Devauld: February 23 (evening)
Still Life and Clothed Figure with Loretta Puckrin: March 5, 12, 19, 26. April 2, 9.
Let’s Paint with Sara Robichaud: March 8
To register and find more information, go to www.cowichanlakeartsandculture.org
Euchre
For Area I Euchre fans, Euchre play is still happening this winter, just not at Youbou Hall. Instead, the Senior Activity Centre hosts Euchre play on Wednesday afternoons, so we’re encouraging our Euchre players to head there for spirited card games and fun.
Pub Highlights
The birthday of the Bard Robbie Burns was toasted and roasted with tartans, highland ballads, gaelic poetry, haggis, and a dram or two on January 25 at the Youbou Bar & Grill. Those with Scottish heritage and kilty wannabes took the high and low roads to get to the Youbou Bar & Grill for the celebration. Meaghan Devauld read Burns’ Ode to the Haggis poem and sang a few highland tunes and other favourites.
If you’re ready for more pub fun to chase the winter blues away, take note. A 3-course special Valentines Dinner will is on offer Feb 13, 14 and 15, for a sweetheart price of $45 per person. Reservations are recommended. Continuing the series of international buffets, Mexican fare, will be on offer on February 22, with Adam and Sam providing live music. And for the super sleuths among us, get your deerstalker hats and pipes ready for the Murder mystery night and dinner on March 1. You never know who did it…maybe even be you!
Pickleball and Bowling
Pickleball continues at Youbou Hall, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 am, with a special welcome for beginners on Tuesdays. The drop-in fee is $4.00.
Drop-in bowling is open on Friday and Saturday nights at the Youbou Community Bowling Alley, 8550 Hemlock Street. Men’s night is Tuesday, starting at 7 pm; women’s night is Thursday at 7 pm, and mixed adult bowling happens on Sundays at 7 pm. Youbou Lanes is a historic and unique 4-lane hand-set facility that’s been a highlight of Youbou since 1951.
For Family Day on Monday, February 17, Cowichan Lake Recreation is offering free bowling and open gym from noon to 3 pm at Youbou Hall, which includes admission and bowling shoe rental. The Cowichan Lake Sports Arena is also offering a free Try-Curling day and Public Skate that day, with free skate rentals to boot!
Dates
Feb 12: Sew Day, Church, 10 to 4
Feb 13, 14, 15: Valentine Dinner, Pub
Feb 15: CLAC AGM, Youbou Arts Centre, noon
February 16: Get Creative, Arts Centre
February 17: Free Family Day bowling & open gym, noon to 3
February 22: Mexican Buffet, Live Music, Pub
February 23: Intro to Song, Arts Centre
February 26: Sew Day, Church, 10 to 4
March 1: Murder Mystery, Pub
March 5, 12, 19, 26: Still Life and Clothed Figure, Arts Centre
March 8: Let’s Paint, Arts Centre
March 15: Youbou Church Society meeting, Church, 10 am
Ongoing
Mon., Tues., Fri.: Pickleball, Youbou Hall, 9:30 am,
Tuesdays: TOPS, Church, 10:30 am
Tuesdays: Men’s Bowling, Youbou Lanes, 7 pm
Thursdays: Women’s Bowling, Youbou Lanes, 7 pm
Fridays: Drop-in Bowling and Open Gym, 6:30 pm
Saturdays: Drop-in Bowling, Youbou Lanes, 7:30 pm
Sundays: Brunch, Pub, 11 am to 2 pm
Sundays: Mixed Bowling, Youbou Lanes, 7 pm
Are You a YCA Member?
The Youbou Community Association is involved in helping community activities happen, such as the monthly newsletter, crab fest, New Year’s Eve, 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. And if you’re interested in getting involved as a board member, let her know too.
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.
Your YCA Board
Carmen Bruce
Adam Khomsi
Julia Martinusen
Sandra McAfee
Cheryl Morgan
Debbie Smith
Randall Wilson
Steve Watt