Vancouver park board considers deconstruction of Jericho Pier

More than a year after the Jericho Pier was heavily damaged by winter storms, the Vancouver Park Board is considering removing it for good.

A motion before the Vancouver Park Board recommends it direct staff to deconstruct the pier, which has been closed since early 2022 following a wind storm. The report says there is insufficient funding to repair the structure, and its demolition would “mitigate existing safety risks and mitigate costs associated with future storm damage.”

The deconstruction is expected to cost between $1.3 million and $3.6 million, which would partially be covered by insurance and outside funding. Repairing the pier would be a cheaper, with an estimated price tag of between $100,000 and $2.3 million. However, staff say those repairs would leave the pier vulnerable to damage from future storms.

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As part of the recommendation, staff say the breakwater component of the pier would remain in place to protect the Jericho Sailing Centre harbour from oncoming waves.

Park board commissioner Tom Digby says although it would be sad to see the pier gone for good, he thinks the deconstruction is the right move.

“It’s just got too damaged and unfortunately, the Jericho Pier has reached the end of its service life and unfortunately, staff have recommended that we take it down,” he told CityNews on Wednesday.

Digby says the heavily damaged pier is a risk to public safety, and despite efforts to keep people off the structure, people are still venturing out on it and putting themselves at risk.

“There’s huge signs that say ‘absolutely no trespassing, it’s totally dangerous.’ Yet, all summer long I’ve been around there and people have been making their way out the pier kist for a little swim or maybe some fishing out there. It’s totally dangerous,” he said.

Looking ahead, Digby says the pier’s deconstruction is the best option as it would likely get damaged again, even if it was repaired.

“We’ve designed this fabulous waterfront that is designed for a lower sea level and it’s constantly getting smashed from these storms,” he said. “I think we need a long term plan. There’s no easy solution to the climate crisis that we’re facing.”

Digby hopes to see more innovative ways to deal with rising sea levels that are expected to affect the Jericho Beach area in the decades to come.

The park board will vote on the recommendation at its meeting on Sept. 11.