A walkway will be flanked by native plants and complete upgrades along Hwy. 19A at Memorial Ave. in Qualicum Beach. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

NEW VIEWPOINT

New waterfront walkway aims to make Qualicum waterfront more accessible

Mar 2, 2023 | 4:33 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — A new viewpoint to the Salish Sea is poised to add to continuing development of the prized waterfront.

A $500,000 provincial government grant was recently awarded to the Town of Qualicum Beach for construction of a pedestrian viewpoint adjacent to the roundabout at Memorial Ave. and Hwy. 19A.

Luke Sales, Town director of planning and community development said construction will take place this summer, provided the Town can secure other grant funding.

“If you’re working on the waterfront in the wrong time of year, you can harm fish habitat. The months for construction on our waterfront are June, July and August. Unfortunately that does overlap with our prime tourist season but that is the only opportunity to actually build this thing.”

Final cost of the project is forecast to be $1.8 million, with the Town expecting to cover around 25 per cent of the cost, with the remainder covered by senior government grants.

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The viewpoint will add to some expanded and redeveloped areas of the waterfront done in recent years.

A survey of local residents a few years ago highlighted some key desires for the area, which have influenced decisions since.

Sales said access of various types was seen as a key goal for re-shaping the waterfront, but everyone perceived access in different ways.

“Some people see it as a safe bike lane so they can ride down on their bikes, some people want the nice wide waterfront boardwalk feel. For other people, they actually indicated they drive down there and park in the car to watch the waves and enjoy the waterfront in that way.”

Parking improvements currently under construction are another way to make the area more accessible to residents and tourists alike.

The Town also purchased a special mat for use on the beach, to allow wheelchair access to the water.

Sales added all work being done in the area is with environmental considerations in mind.

The walkway itself, along with the re-planting scheduled to take place after, will help local spawning fish find cover from predators.

A rendering of the final viewing platform and walkway along Hwy. 19A. (Town of Qualicum Beach)

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