Work to refurbish part of the aging Market Wharf in Saint Andrews could begin as early as this fall, according to the town’s mayor.
Council voted unanimously this week to replace the first third of the wharf, known as the approach, with concrete.
Mayor Doug Naish said the decision came after two consultations with the public in recent weeks.
“Everybody picked their favourites in terms of what they thought was the best design,” said Naish, “but there was so much thoughtful input from the public that it made our decision a lot easier.”
Much of the outer portion of the wharf was replaced after being damaged by fire in 1993, but the approach is still the original wooden structure from the 1950s.
Council also considered two other options for refurbishing the approach: replacing it with a wooden structure, like the one that currently exists, or a breakwater-style structure consisting of armour stone.
But Naish said many people felt the armour stone design was too modern and would take away from the downtown’s historic nature.
“We all agree in Saint Andrews that most of our success, not all of our success but a lot of our success in tourism and promotion has been the look and the feel of the downtown,” he said. “In other words, you’re stepping back into the 19th century when you walk down Water Street.”
The overall project, which also involves restoring the intermediate structure and pier head and rebuilding the Market Square seawall, is expected to cost around $5.1 million. Naish said the provincial and federal governments are contributing close to $4.3 million toward the project.
Naish said once the engineering and environmental assessments are completed, they expect the work will take place over the next two or three years.
“We do not want to disrupt the commercial operations which take place on the wharf so we will be doing this mainly in late fall and winter.”
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