The City of Nelson has begun the demolition of the city pier located at the foot of Hall Street, according to a news release.
The removal of the pier will be completed by mid-June, followed by construction of a new structure that has been in the planning stages for two years because of the physical deterioration of the current pier.
The new structure will consist of a deck, a floating dock, a shade canopy, a wider walking surface, seating, a swimming area, and a display building for the Ladybird historic boat.
In 2020, Nelson City Council decided to apply for grants to rebuild the pier as a job-creation initiative to help the city’s economy during the pandemic.
The cost of the project is $3.5 million. The city received a federal government grant of $1 million from a national infrastructure program designed for economic recovery in the pandemic. The city also received a grant of $500,000 from the Columbia Basin Trust. The remaining $2 million will come from funds reserved by the city for capital projects.
The city’s news release states that planning goal was “to re-imagine the pier as a new multi-user community amenity space. The Pier project will provide construction opportunities, enhance tourism, provide an updated amenities area and create a new recreational space for the community.”
The initial pier was constructed at a cost of $4,000 in 1892 as a stop along the river for paddle wheelers that ran up and down Kootenay Lake. It was renovated in 1910, then demolished and rebuilt in 1947, and rebuilt again in 1986.
Related:
• Nelson considering new Hall Street pier as part of COVID-19 economic stimulus plan
• Nelson receives $1M grant for Hall St. Pier project
• Hall Street pier reconstruction to start this fall
• Nelson council ponders displaying historic speedboat at Hall Street Pier
We originally reported that the portion of the funding for the pier that would come from city funds was $1 million. The correct amount is $2 million. We made this change to the story on May 18.