Vandals have caused thousands of dollars in damage at Colliery Dam Park after repeatedly tampering, and eventually cutting, the connection between a safety boom and the shore. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

senseless vandalism

Repeat vandalism causes ‘thousands of dollars’ worth of damage at Nanaimo’s Colliery Dam

Jan 10, 2025 | 10:28 AM

NANAIMO — Vandalism at a popular urban park is described by one City of Nanaimo official as “senseless, frustrating, and asinine.”

Repeated damage — and the eventual cutting — of a safety boom at lower Colliery Dam over recent weeks has City officials frustrated and facing a bill running into the “thousands and thousands of dollars”, according to City general manager of engineering and public works Bill Sims.

He told NanaimoNewsNOW an anchor point connecting the required safety boom to a concrete base has been regularly tampered with since last month, and was recently destroyed.

“The cable itself was cut, it appears with bolt cutters or something like that. In order to address the need to replace the safety boom, we actually were able to lower the reservoir level so it reduces the risk of the old [spillway]…to make sure there was no public put at risk.”

Water levels at Colliery Dam Park have been lowered in a bid to maintain safety standards and prevent people or debris from being sent down the spillway. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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The boom spans the spillway to meet provincial regulations.

It prevents people, animals or debris from going down the concrete area and damaging the infrastructure below, Sims noted.

“This is an extremely dangerous and risky proposition that puts not only the public at risk but frustrates the ability of the City to live up to its responsibilities under legislation.”

The boom was temporarily re-attached as of Friday, Jan. 10 however more substantial repairs are required.

Sims said they’ll have to excavate the connection, reinstall the anchor and attach it to the boom using a stronger anchor point.

It’s believed bolt cutters were used to damage and eventually sever a metal connector to a concrete anchor over recent weeks. (City of Nanaimo)

While water levels have been reduced in the dam in response to these incidents, it’s still a hazardous situation.

“It’s certainly in the thousands and thousands of dollars, not only in staff time but it puts our staff at a serious risk having to reattach this boom. The flows are high…makes it extremely dangerous.”

Repairs will begin on-site as soon as possible.

Nanaimo RCMP are investigating the vandalism, and are asking anyone with information to contact the detachment at 1-250-754-2345, quoting file number 2024-40853.

The boom is temporarily in place, but more permanent repairs are needed to ensure safety for all park users, as well as compliance with provincial regulations. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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