The operator of Golden Ears Provincial Park has been ordered to pay nearly $2,000 to a driver whose car was damaged by a pothole.
In a decision released Aug. 29, the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) ruled that Alouette Park Management Ltd. failed to maintain the road where Gerald Joseph Lane’s vehicle was damaged. Lane, who represented himself, sought $1,914.84 for repairs to his tires, rims and alignment.
Lane said he hit the pothole on June 15, 2023, while moving over to avoid a large truck towing a trailer. Photos he submitted showed two potholes or broken road edges, one stretching about four feet. Tribunal vice chair Andrea Ritchie agreed the damage was responsible for his car trouble.
The park operator argued the road was in good condition and blamed Lane’s driving, also claiming its contract with the province limited its repair responsibilities. The tribunal rejected those arguments, saying the company provided no evidence.
Ritchie found the operator either ignored the road damage or failed to inspect it properly. Alouette Park must pay Lane the full amount within 21 days.
