Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2018-21
Ottawa, 18 January 2018
Cowichan Valley Community Radio Society
Lake Cowichan, British Columbia
Application 2017-1171-3, received 18 December 2017
CICV-FM Lake Cowichan – Revocation of licence
- Cowichan Valley Community Radio Society has requested the revocation of its broadcasting licence for its English-language, low-power community radio programming undertaking CICV-FM Lake Cowichan, British Columbia.
- Given the licensee’s request and pursuant to sections 9(1)(e) and 24(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission revokes the broadcasting licence issued to Cowichan Valley Community Radio Society for the above-mentioned undertaking.
Secretary General
The small antenna, seen here being repaired after a wind storm, will have to be taken down. (Gazette file)
The tiny station has fought long and hard to stay alive, but it’s the end of the trail for CICV 97.5
Everything must go!
That is the slogan at CICV 97.5 Radio Cowichan these days.
The tiny volunteer-run, community station that broadcasted to the Cowichan Lake area using the amount of power in a light bulb, closed as of Dec. 31, 2017, because it simply ran out of volunteers to run it.
“Our volunteer pool has just shrunk into nothingness. But it’s one of those situations where we didn’t have to make that decision. It made itself for us. The people we did have are burned out to the max. Some people are moving, while other people find their health isn’t as good as it used to be.
“We had debt to which a whole lot of people contributed a whole lot of money to last summer. Our debts are right down to zero but now we’re going to be stuck with the closing costs. There’s nothing for us to do but to shut down the radio station.”
Most recently, the station had operated out of the old band room at Cowichan Lake School, following the group reaching an arrangement with the Cowichan Valley school district.
“The radio station has already been dismantled. We’re in the position of disposing of gear right now,” Bishop said.
“It’s sad. We gave it the good old college try. Our hearts and minds and monies all went into it. We tried to give a go for the students, too. But it just didn’t have the support of the community. The reason for that I’m sure is that is had such a small coverage area. And because of that it just didn’t work. Now we’re in discussion with the school to see how they want us to return it to them. It’s a very sad time.”
READ MORE HERE AT THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE WEBSITE
