Crews have been working on the removal of an iconic Summerland pier, but it will be some time before the work is completed.
The work began on May 15 by municipal crews and an environmental monitor. However, while some of the wood at the far end of the pier has been removed, the area closer to the shore has not yet been disassembled.
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Graham Statt, chief administrative officer for the municipality, said the deck was fastened to the pilings with more spikes than expected.
In addition, because the deck and pilings are treated wood, a saw cannot be used to remove the deck from the pilings. This is because of the shavings created by using a saw.
Statt said the pier deconstruction has been stopped at present, but there are plans to remove the structure in July.
The pier was built in 1999 and has been a popular lakefront structure in Summerland. However, it has been closed since November 2022. Most of the pilings have rotted and the pier is no longer safe.
Summerland council has committed $200,000 for the removal of the existing pier. In addition, $300,000 of the $4.533 million Growing Communities Fun money has been allocated for the replacement of the pier.
The municipality and the Rotary Club of Summerland will work together to replace this pier at Gordon Beggs Rotary Beach.
The pier is at the same spot and follows the same design as the Canadian Pacific Wharf. The wharf had been constructed in 1910 and served as a transportation link in Summerland. By the 1970s, the wharf was showing its age and was eventually torn down.
The existing pier was constructed by the Summerland Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club of Summerland, with the help of donations from the community.
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