DFO will be installing solar energy at Nootka Lightstation in efforts to align with the Federal Governments goal to enhance climate resilience by 2035 and be net zero by 2050. Nootka Lightstation is a staffed federal site located on the west coast of Vancouver Island at the entrance to Nootka sound, overlooking Friendly Cove. The Lightstation consists of two (2) residences, a light tower, helipad, boathouse, engine building, winch house, and derrick.
The project entails constructing a new engine room roof in preparation for solar panel installation, as well as brush clearing and concrete foundations for additional panels in the area south of the principal keeper residence. The proposed work will include removal and reinstallation of the metal roofing and wooden sheathing of the engine building, grubbing of brush roots from an approximately 11m x 4m area, and concrete Sonotube installations in that area. All materials are to be provided by the contractor.
The engine building is listed as a related building on site that contributes to the heritage character of the lighthouse, under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act (S.C. 2008, c 16). Under this, the following character-defining elements of the related buildings should be respected: their respective built forms, profiles, and proportions; their traditional red and white exterior colour schemes; their contextual relationships to the lighthouse within an historic lightstation setting. The proposed renovations will respect these character-defining elements of the residence and are not expected to impact the heritage value of the building.