History of the PHRA

The Point Holmes Boat Ramp was constructed in 1967 as a Centennial Project. It was built by volunteers with funding from Canadian Centennial Commission.  Founding members were Albert Timcke,  Ron Ellis, Gerry Garoz, Ron Tresidder, and the Point Holmes Recreation Association (PHRA) was registered in 1968 under the B.C. Societies Act.

The PHRA Mandate is: "to maintain and improve the boat ramp, and to create, maintain and improve other facilities on the adjacent recreational area as required.  These facilities are to be available to any person or persons who wish to use them in accordance with the main purpose of the facilities, and non-PHRA members will pay the daily rate set by the PHRA”.

The ramp and foreshore area (DL 459) is leased to PHRA whose members voluntarily maintain the facility with funding generated by annual memberships, day use fees, corporate sponsorships, and support from the Town of Comox.  The original land lease was from BC Crown Lands Branch, then Comox Strathcona Regional District, and as of 2007, the Town of Comox.

  • 1971: BC Centennial provided funding to PHRA for development and stewardship of a trail from the boat ramp south along Lazo Road to, and including, a small park opposite Sand Pines Rd.  (Point Holmes Park)

 

  • 1994: Ramp extended to include a 67 foot wide turnaround area.  During 1990’s PHRA members worked monthly Bingos to raise funds for maintenance and repairs

 

  • 1998: Ramp extended another 40 feet (total length is now 617 feet), concrete aprons / sides installed, and entire ramp resurfaced with asphalt.  This $60,000 repair/upgrade was funded by a Recreational Grant from the Comox-Strathcona Regional District and volunteer fundraising by PHRA members

 

  • 2013: PHRA website created

 

  • 2015: Carried out $16,000 in ramp repairs to asphalt and north side apron extended to facilitate ‘high tide’ launching.  Porta Potty installed in parking area

 

  • 2016: PHRA RAMPCAM operating online.  Town of Comox $1.8 Million ‘Shoreline Restoration’ project

 

  • 2017: 50th Anniversary of the PHRA, celebrated with a raffle and BBQ

 

  • 2019: Original pavilion replaced with a new Timber Frame structure with support from Town of Comox

 

  • 2023: Town of Comox contracted $7,800 in repairs to ramp surface

 

  • 2026: PHRA funded further repairs to concrete upper ramp apron

 

For PHRA membership and corporate sponsorship information:

Please contact us at info@pointholmesrecreation.ca