The Deep Sky Eye Observatory in Quinan is facing challenges due to COVID-19 just like every other business.
Owner Tim Doucette went to the Municipality of the District of Argyle to see about a possible solution to social distancing, since they can’t gather in the pods and all use the telescope and, at a certain point, you aren’t allowed any outdoor systems that may cause noise concerns to neighbours.
“We’re actually starting talks with the municipality for that particular issue. They wanted to know exactly how much noise, how loud would it be, for how long, and how many times per night we would be looking at doing that.”
While council needed more information about a possible noise bylaw exemption, Doucette says they have found another solution.
“We’re actually looking at revamping our program so that it will be totally outdoors. The idea would be for us to have recliner chairs for people to recline and stargaze but have individual speakers on the chairs themselves.”
He says they have come up with a new plan that will still give visitors an experience but not bother neighours.
“We won’t be able to do the telescope observations for obvious reasons, so what we’re going to do is project what the telescope sees and point it out with the laser pointer so that you can see what the telescope sees in a live view fashion.”
Council decided not to support the exemption but, if Doucette’s new plan works, Deep Sky Eye won’t need it.
