Ten months after repair work was completed at Sidney’s Beacon Wharf, the Town of Sidney finally got the chance to say thank you to the federal government for ponying up some dough.
Minister of State and MP for Vancouver Island North John Duncan was in town April 17 to acknowledge the government’s support of a project to upgrade the wharf, one of Sidney’s iconic places. On behalf of Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, Duncan said the government put up $141,208. The money was provided through the retroactive Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, part of the federal Economic Action Plan. In June 2013, Beacon Wharf was upgraded with new piles, structural timbers, braces and decking.
Mayor Larry Cross noted the wharf was found in 2010 to need significant upgrades to remain safe for public use. Since then, vehicles have been barred from it and the repair work has ensured it stays open to pedestrians, as well as home to two local businesses.
The Town of Sidney has Beacon Wharf in its long-term planning documents, yet this year has put off a further study to determine upgrades required to make it last longer.