The damage is done.
The question is how Sidney combats erosion threatening to further affect the Lochside seawall where the 4,000-pound concrete blocks protecting the banks tumbled onto the beach.
“The feeling of council is we needed to do this properly. We don’t want another council facing this problem,” said Sidney Mayor Larry Cross. “Our concern is if we don’t do it, erosion would continue onto the bank and get into the safety of the road.”
The damage runs 160 metres from the south end to Captains Walk along Lochside Drive.
Presented with options from removal of the lower walkway and seawall on the south end to the tune of $257,800, to rebuilding the seawall with concrete lock blocks similar to what was in place before for $321,400, council elected to move forward on rebuilding it with a rock revetment for an estimated price tag of $418,400. The most expensive option on the report to council relies on large boulders to protect the walkway and is believed to be the most durable plan so council voted to get more precise estimates before making a final decision. They expect to do that in June.
“We are looking ahead to rising water year by year. Long term this is the way to go,” Cross said. “It will be a little more expensive and we are on a timeline to get it fixed. It is not an option.”
Constructed in the 1980s, the wall fell to two heavy windstorms in January and March that eroded the bank enough to tip concrete blocks protecting the walkway and road. With tides expected to increase during the winter, Cross believed action was needed before further damage was done – and residents’ inability to enjoy the walkway wasn’t unnecessarily prolonged.
Cross estimated a completion in October or November, financing the project by borrowing money from their own reserves and using their own works crew to expedite the process.
“We can borrow our own money with the assumption you will pay it off over time but it is zero interest,” he said. “You never want it to fall below a certain point [but need] to be able to use [the funds] in circumstances like this and not go to a major referendum.”
For North Saanich resident Tim Christian, who makes his way to the beach two to three times a week with his wife Kate and his Boston terrier, he hopes something is done soon.
“It is a magnificent beach and the seawall is incredible. It is a fantastic walking trail,” he said. “It is too bad it happened, but I hope they find a sensible way of fixing it. It is a magnificent view … This whole aspect is beautiful, it is a treasure.”
His dog Sidney, who happily sprints alongside him on his seawall walks is named after the town and being a Peninsula resident he hopes the issues are resolved quickly for all involved.
“I appreciate the financial concerns but something will have to be done,” Christian continued. “If you simply leave it as it is when you get high winds and heavy water, the whole bank will erode. It is a serious problem.”