Will White Rock’s waterfront businesses survive reconstruction of their landmark pier?

WHITE ROCK (NEWS 1130) – Now that we have an idea of what will be done to repair the White Rock Pier — and how much it will likely cost — following a devastating windstorm in December, some people in the area are worried about businesses in the area.

The earliest the pier could re-open is the end of August.

It’s already been a tough year for businesses along the water, and some people who spend a lot of time in the area are concerned about how the work throughout the summer will affect the stores, restaurants, and cafes.

FILE: A boat is battered by waves and slammed into the White Rock Pier that was severely damaged during a windstorm, in White Rock, B.C., on Thursday December 20, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

One man says the businesses survive because of the traffic they get between April and September. “It is going to devastate them if they don’t at least have the walkway open.”

“People don’t come down because they can’t park,” a woman in the area added.

“Just walk down the street and see all of them shut down or closed temporarily. It’s complicated by the fact that there’s lots of other construction going on. There’s no place to park,” said another man.

RELATED: ‘It is White Rock’: Fans of iconic pier say higher-than-expected repair costs are worth it

The crowds that usually frequent the pier between April and September are vital to the businesses in the area.

A new report from the city’s engineering department estimates reconstruction will cost between about $14 million and $16 million.

The estimated cost is $11.1 million to build a steel pile and concrete deck, or $9.2 million for timber pile and deck, plus other expenses including electricity, cleaning up debris, construction and taxes. Although the pier was insured, it was only covered for about $7 million.

This figure doesn’t include costs to fix the marina or the west wharf, and those repairs can’t happen this year because of construction timelines allowed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for work in those waters.

 

Immediate repairs will cost more than $4 million.

 – With files from Ash Kelly and Lauren Boothby

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