By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Two projects over the next three years will give a massive overhaul to Cobourg’s waterfront.
At Monday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting, Cobourg council heard the details from the two consultants.
Milo Sturm of Shoreplan Engineering Limited led off with news of plans for Cobourg harbour.
Director of Engineering Laurie Wills noted that public consultation on this project had just closed Feb. 22, and stressed that the Shoreplan work does exclude the east pier revitalization, which is being handled by another company.
Shoreplan’s work covers six main structures, with a budget totalling $12,755,000.
In 2022, that would include work on the north basin wall ($2,535,000), east basin wall ($1,525,000), the fuel dock walls ($825,000) and centre pier walls ($100,000).
In 2023, they foresee work on the east breakwater ($2,275,000), followed in 2024 by work on the west breakwater ($5,495,000).
Sturm said he considers the estimates quite reasonable.
The 2022 work will encompass rehabilitation of the north and east basin walls, relying on a material called steel sheet pile, with fill behind the walls for stability for loading-in and -out of boats.
The existing fuel dock is quite low, given today’s water levels. In consultation with the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, they have decided the dock will be raised by about eight inches.
The east and west breakwaters – which form the entrance to the harbour and protect the basin from waves – will be built up to provide additional protection and increase stability. The steep slope of the sides will be eased out.
During the work, a corridor will be kept open to allow boaters to continue to use the harbour, but access by other users will be limited. For example, the southern half of the Esplanade parking lot will be required for construction work and equipment.
The presentation was followed by questions that had been submitted, in response to which Sturm said the life cycle of the materials was more than 50 years.
Wills addressed the funding, saying that proposals are being prepared for Federal and provincial governments and they are on the look-out for any grant possibilities.
Jana Joyce and Graham Carr of The MBTW followed, with the latest recommendations for the east pier revitalization, based on the consultation process that wound up Dec. 16.
As the east pier area will be used as construction access for Shoreplan’s work on the east breakwater, MBTW’s work can’t begin until after that is completed – probably taking place in 2024.
The latest consultation had two areas of focus
Including charter- and tour-boat docking got the support of 68.5% of respondents, though the water depth on the harbour side of the east pier will limit the type and size of boat.
Almost as many respondents – 64.8% – opposed allowing parking on the east pier. However, comments about how parking on the pier would improve accessibility for those with mobility issues and encourage all-season use has led MBTW to recommend that parking should be allowed.
A spot is proposed to be set aside at the end of the pier, with 10 spaces (including at least one barrier-free spot) to permit enough free space for maneuvering and turning.
Ten spaces is not much, Councillor Adam Bureau commented. And on busy summer days, he foresees a line of idling cars all along the east pier waiting their turn at a space once it is vacated.
A traffic-enforcement plan must be in place, Joyce said. Director of Community Services Brian Geerts mentioned available technology that can help, such as a sign indicating how many spaces are available at any given time.
Joyce pointed out other features – lighting, landscaping, seating, pedestrian promenade, access to Victoria Beach and a proposed shelter near the parking area, as well as a platform marking the approximate footprint and location of the former lighthouse.
The design has flexibility worked in to accommodate special events, she added. Her associate Graham Carr noted the electrical power supply at the end of the pier, power pedestals and hookups for food trucks and other special-event needs like lighting for night-time activities.
