Editor:
The White Rock Pier is a popular landmark that should be restored or shortened. This recommendation not only benefits the business community but restores the normality in White Rock for residents and tourists.
Greater precaution should be taken by government to prevent a repeat of this disaster.
I recommend that the White Rock City Hall should pass a bylaw that permanently prohibits the parking of boats at the pier to reduce the risk of future damage to the pier and injuries to people. In other words, vessels, including sailboats, should be restricted to another location that is safer for all users and prevent collision with the pier in event of a storm or while being driven.
This bylaw should be clearly communicated to the public via a press release and the installation of signs along the pier for owners and users of vessels and visitors to see. As with any bylaw, there must be enforcement.
Violators of this bylaw should be issued a hefty fine over $5,000 because damage to the pier is very costly and the insurance claim was not enough to restore the pier to its original state, before the wind storm in December 2018.
In addition, the connecting floating dock should be stabilized and reconstructed or relocated using the layout of the floating dock in Steveston as a guide to facilitate fishermen and their vessels in White Rock. Parking along this floating dock must be away from the pier and metered.
Proceeds from metered parking should be spent on the maintenance and the recovery of government funds used in this restoration project. If there are insufficient funds to complete the pier and the floating dock then council should reconstruct the floating dock after the pier is fully restored.
There are several ways to raise funds for this restoration project. The White Rock community should be encouraged to donate by sponsoring a plank, and brass name plates should be installed with the names of each sponsor on every plank from the entrance to the end of the pier. This would allow locals to become actively involved and recognized for their contribution and their roles in the restoration of this popular historical site.
The Davis Bay Community Association must be given credit for developing and employing this strategy that resulted in the successful restoration the Davis Bay Pier in Sechelt.
Avinash Dindial, White Rock