Phase one of the demolition and removal of the historic Jericho Beach Marginal Wharf by Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Pile Driving Ltd. began this week.
The first part of the $2 million deconstruction project includes removal of wood previously treated with preservative creosote, the installation of fences and ocean floats for the safety of recreational boaters, paddlers and swimmers, silt curtains for environmental protection, temporary detour pathways and signs, the addition of site trailers, a work boat and 200-ton crane, tree protection and the removal of the heritage railings. Jericho Beach was home to the Pacific Coast Station of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1921 to 1945. The wharf's perimeter was installed during the 1976 United Nations Habitat Forum at Jericho Beach. The railings came from the Lions Gate Bridge, which was under renovation at the time. Those railings will go into storage for possible future use.
According to the park board, this phase also includes the start of beach restoration and foreshore protection, which should be completed by the fall.
Phase two will include more beach restoration as well as the addition of historical interpretation, which will be presented to the public for input prior to being installed. The land around the wharf will be off-limits to the public until the work is completed next fall.
Many residents argued the historic wharf was worth saving, but citing public safety and environmental concerns, the park board decided earlier this year it had to be demolished.
BOARD BOUND?
An artist and award-winning playwright announced this week he's seeking a COPE nomination to run for park board in the November civic election.
Marcus Youssef, artistic director of Neworld Theatre, is hoping to get the nod at COPE's Sept. 18 nomination meeting.
The 41-year-old joined COPE two years ago because he agrees with the party's "commitment to ensuring that everyone in this city benefits from our public institutions and policies, not just those with access to money and power." Youssef is the external chair for COPE.
Youssef believes accessible, local cultural experiences are central to building the city's identity, particularly in light of events such as the recent Stanley Cup riot. He sees local community centres and parks as the ideal locations to encourage arts and culture, as well as what he calls "unused structures," which I'm guessing is code for caretaker homes.
FIELD DAY
The park board is hosting an information session Sunday, Aug 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Connaught Park, 2690 Larch St.
The park board is renovating the east fields at the park so they'll be closed for at least one year. Connaught Park's east fields lack drainage and irrigation, which are essential to accommodate not only population growth, but also the trend towards year-round play.
Construction is scheduled to begin next week and to be almost completed by October, but the fields will have to remain closed until next fall to allow the grass to take proper root.
