Wilderness Survival School Proposal Sparks Controversy

0:00It's March 31st, Vancouver news today starts now, AI-powered and ready. A proposal to build a wilderness survival school inside Eastsook Regional Park has locals up in arms. Vitaly Svetlishni, who runs his one-with-nature-corp on private land in Mechison, wants to lease 71 hectares of provincial crown land, there for up to 30 years. His plan includes cabins, toilets, a learning center, storage sheds, a bow range, and even an 18-meter dock for kayak lessons. The site sits midway between Beecher Bay and Sookie Basin, reachable only by trail or boat. Svetlishni applied two years ago, aiming for a small intensive area under five hectares, with some tree removal, to build structures using onsite. Timber, he promises to haul in water and pack out all waste, running just three small groups of 8 to 10 people monthly. Park users and residents are firing back hard, flooding the Juan de Fuca electoral area director Al Wicheim, with over 50 opposing emails in two.

1:03Days, they fear it would alter the wild landscape, block trails, disrupt wildlife corridors, and open the door for more private businesses in the one. 1,475 hectare park. Wicheim calls it the wrong spot for such entrepreneurship, noting the land isn't even on the park's official maps. He worries about a food processing spot for survival skills like butchering roadkill and a dock that might not survive rough winter waves. Svetlishni says he's shocked by the backlash, insists for authentic training and lacks funding to build anyway. Public comments stay open until May 6, and Wicheim plans a motion at the next Capitol Regional District Board meeting on April 8th to pause. Things. He's reaching out to Svetlishni to suggest private land alternatives, keeping the park pristine for hikers, surfers, and nature lovers.