The $1.3-million first phase of a major Gibsons Harbour upgrade has been completed on budget and almost on time.
"It took a little longer than we anticipated for a few minor reasons," Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority president Terry Rhodes said. "But we're pretty pleased with it, and we're starting to use it."
The new concrete float and drive-on ramp will improve loading and maintenance capabilities for the fishing fleet and make the harbour more accessible for barge companies, large yachts and the marine services sector.
While not fully finished by the targeted end date of March 31, the float has already been used to load barges, and all that remains is to install lighting, provide power and water, and set up the barge terminal with a removable gate.
"The major part of it is done," Rhodes said, adding that fishermen have been checking out the new facility. "The prawn season is starting and they're excited about using it."
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is tentatively set up for the week of May 6.
Funding for the project was provided by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Island Coastal Economic Trust, Sunshine Coast Community Futures and the harbour authority's capital development fund.
The next job for the harbour authority will be to find funding partners for future phases of the $12-million upgrade, which will include added floats, floating breakwaters and a reconfiguration of harbour space.
"We wanted to get this one done to prove we could do it - to prove to ourselves we could do it," Rhodes said.
The next phase will be a challenge, he said, because it will be "a lot more expensive than the first phase."
The harbour authority is a non-profit corporation that manages and administers water lot DL5963 under a series of rolling five-year lease agreements with DFO. Its board of directors includes commercial fishers and business owners.
