The District of Sechelt is installing a new “fixed fence” around the evacuated Seawatch neighbourhood, just over a year after the residents were forced to move out due to sinkhole activity.
In a notice to the Seawatch property owners, obtained by Coast Reporter, the district said, “Due to repeated vandalism of the existing temporary fencing, a new fixed fence is being installed around the perimeter of the Seawatch neighbourhood.”
“This work is part of the local state of emergency,” the notice said, adding: “This is better quality fencing than the current, portable construction fencing.”
A beach access just outside the evacuation zone has also been blocked off.
The provincial government is covering the cost of the work, which Sechelt communications manager Julie Rogers said is estimated at $186,000.
Emergency Management BC said it committed to providing “up to $200,000 to help protect members of the public from entering the Seawatch subdivision,” at the request of the district.
Since the Labour Day long weekend last year there have been several incidents of break-ins, theft and vandalism reported by Seawatch homeowners and the district also said that “improvements to the video surveillance system are also coming soon.”
Crews began work on the fencing Monday and the district said they will be working seven days a week until the installation is complete.
