Port Dalhousie piers

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The future of the Port Dalhousie’s two piers looks a little less murky tonight. Results of a community survey found nearly half of respondents want the Port Dalhousie piers accessible for people and boats. The piers were closed off two years ago after they were deemed structurally unsafe.

“It is noticeably on a slope even today. So based on the under carriage and how fragile it is, it is lake Ontario there is a lot of movement of water.” Walter Sendzik, St.Catharines mayor.

The piers were built in the 1870’s on a timber crib base, imagine a wooden box with stones inside. An inspection two years ago by Fisheries and Oceans Canada found out that wood was rotting and the stones inside were spilling out. Over 1100 people were surveyed about the future of the piers. They voted in favour of restoring the piers for pedestrian and recreational use.

“Using steel sheet piles on the inner harbour wall, that would allow continued public access to the pier and boating mooring along the wall.” Bryan Shynal, commissioner of operations.

To help make that happen, surveyors are also suggesting adding a restaurant, snack bar and lighting along the walk way. The city of St. Catharines says the $33 million project is still in the design phase. The piers are owned by the Federal government and it still has to be negotiated how much of the expense Ottawa will cover. But hopes are to have at least one of the piers open by 2018.