White Rock business owners reflect, one year after city’s pier damaged in wind storm

It has been one year since a devastating wind storm swept across B.C., tearing apart the White Rock pier. Travis Prasad looks back at how far the community has come and what is ahead.

WHITE ROCK (NEWS 1130) – Friday marked one year since a severe storm split the historic 105-year-old White Rock pier, shutting it down.

Eight months and $4-million in city funding later, the middle section of the pier is rebuilt, and the pier reopened.

It’s been a tough go for many businesses along Marine Drive since the pier was damaged.

Free parking was in place for two months to encourage visitors in the meantime, but that ended this month.

Holly Valentine has run a restaurant on the seaside for 30 years and says she’s thankful for the city’s quick action.

“I was very surprised because things don’t usually get done that quickly,” she says.

“It’s such an iconic thing for our community.”

Another business owner, Gus Rachid says the upgraded pier and surrounding promenade has his business back to normal but hopes, “it will stay like that.”

The reopening does not mean the work is over. There are plans to replace the north and south end of the pier – no word on when that will happen because $11-million needs to be raised first.

“We’re fundraising ourselves, were going to continue to look at other grants, but we will rebuild the entire pier,” White Rock Mayor Darryl Walker says.

To kick-off the opening and celebrate the community’s efforts, mayor Walker is inviting people to join him for some hot chocolate Sunday morning at 11:00.

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