Residents may have another reason to celebrate White Rock’s iconic 100-year-old pier.
City staff have been instructed by elected officials to research and confirm whether the 1,500-foot pier is the longest in Canada.
The request was brought forward to council Monday by Coun. Dave Chesney, who said the title could be another tourism draw for the seaside city.
“Looking at our beautiful pier, it’s probably one of those things we look at so often, we don’t really ever think about it,” Chesney said. “White Rock Tourism would be able to invite people to come to White Rock to see Canada’s longest pier.”
He noted that previously Campbell River had boasted that their 600-foot-long pier was the longest in Canada – “but I told them that is about half the length of our pier, ladies and gentlemen.”
According to the website Great Places in Canada (www.greatplacesincanada.com), White Rock’s landmark is the longest pier in Canada.
If it is confirmed by staff that White Rock Pier is the holder of the title, Betina Albornoz of Tourism White Rock joined Chesney in suggesting that a removable banner announcing this status be installed on the pier.
Chesney said the banner would be produced at no cost to the city, and it could be removed to make way for advertising special events and holidays as they arise.
The recommendation to staff passed 4-2, with Couns. Lynne Sinclair and Grant Meyer voting against, and Coun. Helen Fathers not in attendance.
