Building 14 kilometres of walkway has been a lengthy project at the City, but crucial funding decisions are being made to bring the project to fruition. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

Big steps

Funding plan approved for many upcoming phases of waterfront walkway project

Jul 23, 2019 | 10:28 AM

NANAIMO — Concrete steps have been taken to finance a walkway stretching along Nanaimo’s coast.

Councillors officially approved how the various phases of the waterfront walkway will be paid for during Monday’s council meeting.

Community development director Bill Corsan said there’s many different methods and the project won’t be solely taxpayer funded.

“The smaller projects which are more reasonable in price can likely be funded through (funds and reserves). The larger projects, such as the Departure Bay Beach section or the Living Forest campground, would be funded through borrowing.”

Initial estimates said the project could cost up to $41 million.

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Corsan said even with the overall plan and now the funding aspect approved by City administration, the project is continually in flux and able to be tweaked.

“Our focus right now is on the Departure Bay beach section, as well as completing from the BC Ferries Departure Bay terminal to the City centre and the downtown core,” Corsan said.

The stretch of walkway from the Departure Bay ferry terminal to White Eagle Terrace has proved to be a major roadblock.

Initial designs for an elevated walkway were deemed too expensive due to the steeply rising cost of steel.

A feasibility study is now underway to build a walkway closer to the water and akin to the Stanley Park sea wall.

Corsan said a report with options will hopefully be before councillors in the fall.

A smaller section from the Gabriola Island ferry terminal to 1 Port Dr. in south downtown Nanaimo is expected to open in August.

“It’s an interim walkway but it will get people down to the water and acclimatized to a property the general public hasn’t had access to in a very long time.”

Corsan said he and staff always knew building 14 kilometres of walkway would be a long-term project and they’re continuing at an expected pace.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit