Going down a Squirrel Cove driveway on the 'Ditch Witch'

CityWest may be charging people with long driveways extra

Up until now, CityWest has been offering to install high speed internet to Cortes Island homes for free. They did not take some of the island’s long driveways into account. This is changing, CityWest says some people will need to pay extra.

Taking the cable up the hill with the ‘Ditch Witch’ – Photo by Roy L Hales

As Regional Manager Dino Tsakonas explained, “We’re talking thousands and thousands of dollars to get to one person sometimes. It’s just not feasible, but if the customer can kick in a little bit and then amortize over two years, it definitely can work.”

The grant CityWest received is only for the first 30 meters. They have to absorb the rest of the cost. This turned out to be more than they anticipated.

“We’ve got people with one kilometer driveways!” said Tsakonas.

Blue Jay Lake Farm’s driveway is three kilometres long, and the 6 to 8 homes there would like internet too. 

Then there are the homes around Tiber Bay.

Overlooking the dock at Squirrel Cove – Photo by Roy L Hales

CityWest is still offering free installation for up to 100 metres. They will make that 250 metres, if customers want the last 150 metres on top of the ground. 

“If you wanted it buried the whole way, there could be some costs for that too,” said Tsakonas.  

However CityWest has agreed to amortize the cost over two years.

“If you have to amortize 500 bucks over two years, it’s going to just make your life a lot easier anyway.  I see it as a win-win, but it’s a tough conversation to have when everyone thinks it’s going to be free,” said Tsakonas.

He added, “There has to be a conversation to say ‘we agree, we would like to go forward with that …'”

The crew working in Squirrel Cove at the time of this broadcast was not aware of these changes. Consequently, customers with driveways longer than 100 metres were not being given a choice. Their lines were being buried all the way up to the house.

Cortes Currents asked Tsakonas about the driveways 100- 250 metres long that are already buried. Will they be charged extra?

“No, whatever’s done, is already done,” said Tsakonas.

He expects to be talking to a lot of Cortes homeowners over the next few weeks. 

“If someone knows their driveway’s already long, give me a call 250-202-6004.”  

Stretching the cable out to the second worker directly behind the truck prior to going up a steep driveway – Roy L Hales photo

Meanwhile, crews are working in Squirrel Cove and Mansons Landing right now.   

“We’ve got some more contractors coming to the island. So the drop is going to start happening a little quicker.” 

Top photo credit: Going down a Squirrel Cove driveway on the ‘Ditch Witch’ – Photo by Roy L Hales

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