The Town of Gibsons says Armours Beach will reopen to the public June 2, following the completion of revitalization work that started in March.
Phase 1 of the project cost $150,000 and includes terracing and landscaping of the site to increase accessibility, usability and aesthetics, as well as the addition of picnic tables and benches.
It was a joint effort between the Town, the Rotary Club of Gibsons, which contributed $30,000, and Longman Develop-ments, which donated $10,000. The donations were used to rebuild the washroom building, complete with an outdoor shower. Rotary members and staff from Longman Developments also volunteered throughout the project, putting in time to help with preparation work and sod laying.
“Armours Beach is Gibsons’ original swimming hole,” said Mayor Wayne Rowe in a release announcing the reopening. “For many decades it’s been where kids have spent their summers, learned to swim, walked the logs and beachcombed. It’s an important, year-round gathering place for the community – and also one of the first public spaces visitors see as they enter our town via Marine Drive.”
Rowe said making Armours Beach more accessible and family-friendly was one of council’s key objectives for this term. “With the help of many parties, we think we’ve achieved that goal and are extremely proud to have helped advance this legacy project.”
Work on Phase 2 of the Armours Beach project is scheduled to begin in September, and will include a shoreline retaining wall to replace the failing lock-block wall that currently borders the beach.
Improvements to on-street parking and street presence and the swimming area are planned as funding becomes available.
– Submitted
