The boat ramp at Brannen Lake is back open after a brief closure following a fire mid-week. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

ANCHORS AWAY

Brannen Lake boat ramp & dock reopens following fireworks damage

May 27, 2022 | 4:48 PM

NANAIMO — Boaters and lake-goers once again have access to Brannen Lake.

Public access to the popular summer spot was temporarily closed due to a mid-week fire which is suspected to have been started by fireworks let off nearby.

City parks operations manager Charlotte Davis told NanaimoNewsNOW the burnt portion was removed so the area could open up ahead of the weekend.

“The dock is slightly shorter and we’ll be looking for a replacement of the damaged portion and that will be hopefully completed later this summer.”

Nearby residents noted fireworks around 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24 with Nanaimo Fire Rescue attending to a fire in the area just before midnight.

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The fire melted the foam underlay of the dock.

Davis said it’s a very frustrating situation and causes the City to divert the resources.

“To hear that this was caused by fireworks rather than intentional vandalism doesn’t help at all either. I would just ask people to think first before they go out and do anything like this.”

She added fireworks are banned in the City of Nanaimo and are not to be used, especially on City infrastructure.

There is no estimate of replacement costs for the dock, with suppliers yet to provide the City with a quote.

The public dock at the end of Dunster Rd. is the only public access onto Brannen Lake for boaters.

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley