Work is now underway to restore and expand the Davis Bay Wharf, signalling the closure of the iconic landmark until sometime next month.
Overseeing the project is Glenn Hafey with Pelagic Technologies, who has been involved in the restoration plans from the beginning.
“The proposed closing comes to an end on July 11, but that being said, there’s lots of factors along the way that can either speed things up or delay things,” Hafey told Coast Reporter June 3. “For instance, right now we’re fighting the northwest winds, which are causing a lot of waves, which makes it more dangerous to operate, so we’ve had a delay over the last day and a half, waiting for the weather to calm down.”
The contractor hired by the District of Sechelt to do the work is Heavy Metal Marine Ltd. and Hafey said things with the company are “going pretty well.”
“They’re a pretty efficient contractor, and along with our supervision it makes it pretty seamless,” he said.
By Coast Reporter’s press time Thursday morning new piles had been erected to hold the expanded platform planned for the wharf, and the old railings and walkway had been removed.
The wharf restoration includes a widened walkway out to a larger platform that will include a gazebo (donated by West Coast Log Homes) and access to a floating dock nearby.
Hafey said the plans also call for water and electricity to be run out to the end of the wharf, which will likely be illuminated.
“There’s a lot of different entities involved in it right from the contractors to the people who provide the services, whether that be the Sunshine Coast Regional District or BC Hydro, so that’s why I’m saying it needs to be finalized, but the plan is domestic water and power and low level lighting,” Hafey said.
Crews are working as quickly as possible to finish their work on time.
“We’re all very focused on getting it done quickly so the public can enjoy it for the summer period,” Hafey noted.
Keep up to date with what’s going on and find out when the opening ceremony is planned through postings on the District of Sechelt website at www.sechelt.ca
