After 17 years and only 10 visits, Campbell River’s mothballed cruise ship terminal may soon have a new life as a science centre.
The Wei Wai Kum First Nation, acting as the Campbell River Indian Band, and the City of Campbell River, have applied to the province for a licence of occupation at the terminal site. They plan to turn the 500 square-metre customs building into the Indigenous Centre of Aquatic Health Sciences, a project which has been planned since the existing Centre announced governance changes in 2022.
The BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences (BC CAHS) is a not-for-profit society and the only aquatic research facility of its kind in BC. It started in 2005 and is now a world-renowned diagnostic and research facility for wild fisheries and aquaculture.
BC CAHS board chair Dallas Smith says the new facility will provide reliable, local science advice that First Nations leaders can trust and understand.
“The board is in support of BC CAHS to become First Nations-led and we look forward to the next chapter in its successful, marine science service delivery for Vancouver Island and beyond,” said Maureen Ritter, former chair of BC CAHS, in 2022 when the changes were announced.
The cruise ship terminal was finished in 2007, and cost nearly $25 million, including millions in unforeseen costs for changes to the dolphins after cruise lines raised safety concerns. Only 10 ships ever docked officially, the Seven Seas Mariner in 2007 was the first. The last was a pocket cruise ship in 2009.
CAHS is currently located at the old pulp mill site north of Campbell River, after outgrowing previous locations downtown.
The licence application is open for public comments until July 6, visit the province’s application site for more information.
