White Rock’s pier could cost “in the range” of $16.2 million to repair, a consultant hired to assess the damage has determined.
According to a staff report that is to be presented to council Monday (Jan. 28), the preliminary figure provided by Westmar Advisors is for a steel pile and concrete deck option, and includes such components as the west float, design and construction management, debris clean-up and arches/electrical.
Should the city opt for a timber pile and deck option, the estimate drops to $14.1 million, the report notes.
Westmar was hired by the city on an emergency basis on Dec. 20, the day a violent windstorm resulted in the city’s iconic pier splitting in two.
READ MORE: VIDEO: White Rock pier destroyed by storm, stranded man rescued
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The following day, the city’s mayor predicted the cost of fixing the structure would “probably be in the millions.”
“It’s very easy for projects these days to run to that kind of money,” Mayor Darryl Walker said.
Friday Walker said the $16.2 million estimate is “probably pretty close to what we’re going to have,” noting that he is not too surprised at it.
“I suspected it would take us in that direction,” he said. “A piece of any restoration (project) is that you’re dealing with the unknown. If you’re putting in a new pier, you’d pretty much have an idea what it would cost, but when you’re restoring something, you can go into a wall and not know what you’re getting into.”
Walker said the city must balance restoring the pier in a form that residents – and others from across the Lower Mainland – recognize and love, while rebuilding with sufficient strength and durability to take into account climate change and ensure that it will “still be around another 50 years from now.”
“Now that we’re into it, why wouldn’t we want to rebuild it to protect ourselves for the future?” he said.
Insurance on the pier is based on replacing the existing structure, he said, “but we will be up-front with our insurers that we would be adding to it.”
“We can’t go back to the old creosote pilings for environmental reasons, for one thing.”
Whatever the case, Walker said, the city will try to maintain the traditional, iconic look of the pier, down to wooden planking and handrails – although the latter will probably require a special building code dispensation.
“Whatever it looks like it’s going to have that lovely wooden appearance,” he said.
Jan. 14, staff told council it was estimated that refurbishing the entire structure would cost $6 million.
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The Jan. 28 report, however, notes the latest estimate includes the west wharf, although “there may be additional costs involved with re-establishing the marina, as this has not yet been fully established.”
As well, the pier is insured for approximately $7 million, however, it’s possible “more or less than that” may be recoverable through the policy. Costs of cleaning up East Beach, estimated at $600,000, are not covered by insurance, the report adds.
Staff recommendations to council include endorsing an application for grant funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program-Community, Culture and Recreation, and commiting to the city’s share of project costs ($4,277,195) as outlined in the grant application.
Walker said the city received advice on seeking this provincially-administrated federal funding from South Surrey-White Rock MP Gordon Hogg and Selina Robinson, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, who toured the pier by boat – and briefly walked on the structure – on Jan. 17.
“They gave no assurances, but did give us more understanding of the process,” Walker said.
The application was submitted on Jan. 23, as that was the deadline to apply, however, a council resolution is required, the report notes.
City officials have said they hope to reopen the pier by the end of August.
– with files from Alex Browne
