What started as an idea over a campfire think-tank session has now become a reality. The Carnes Creek recreation site — once just a modest and rustic boat launch has been refurbished.
While the most commonly used boat ramp on Lake Revelstoke is the one at Martha Creek, the availability of that ramp has become more restricted as it closes in the fall and only reopens when the park does in mid-May.
According to a statement from the Revelstoke Rotary Club, this project began in the spring of 2015 when members salvaged excess rebar from the Mica expansion projects. They also checked with provincial Recreation Sites and Trails BC officials to ensure there was indeed an appetite to have the Carnes site enhanced.
H & J Ready Mix’s Orlando Dias was willing to donate surplus concrete and as other local companies agreed to donate building materials and equipment many Revelstokians donated cash towards the project.
Throughout last summer Rotarians gave up 126 people-hours and cast 84 blocks approximately 2 ft. by 4 ft. in size to be used as slabs for the ramp. Throughout the winter Hector Scarcelli stored the blocks while Recreation Sites and Trails BC applied for the appropriate Section 9 water permits.
That brings us to April, when Brent Farrell of Recreation Sites and Trails BC took the lead and surveyed and spec’d the job requirements with a local contractor to ensure all environmental issues had been addressed.
Meanwhile another Rotarian donated on behalf of BC Hydro several large salvaged concrete blocks from prior projects that could be used as a breakwater. With Hydro’s assistance they were transported to the Carnes site. Sure Haul demonstrated its support by moving the rebar and concrete slabs to Carnes.
Revelstoke Equipment Rentals helped out with materials, labour, and equipment throughout the project. And Emcon donated and delivered excavated material from a ditch-clearing project at Carnes Hill for use adjusting the boat ram grade.
“Suddenly at the end of April a window of opportunity opened when BC Hydro informed all players of a planned low-reservoir period for operational reasons,” the statement said. “A quick response by the team allowed the installation to be completed on the exposed shoreline – allowing a better and deeper installation.”
Bruce Watt of B & H Excavation was on site for 3 days to re-grade the ramp, install the breakwater, and place the premade concrete sections.
“What could have easily been an expensive and time consuming project was able to happen efficiently and cost-effectively because of great service and contributions from many,” the statement said. “A big thanks to Recreation Sites and Trails BC for funding and the many others who contributed to this project enabling this to happen.”
All told, the club raised $2,500, which it put towards this project. One Rotarian estimated that their project would have cost at least $32,000.
“We have a saying we live by in Rotary: Service above Self,” the Rotary Club statement said. “It’s great when a plan like this can come together with so many partners.”
Here are views of the refurbished ramp:
