Owen Bay Wharf Project
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is happy to announce that a renovated wharf, funded by Transport Canada will be constructed later this year and is anticipated to be operational by the fall of 2023.
Local community members are invited to an Information Session to see a rendering of the renovated wharf and learn more about this project on Thursday July 28th, 2022 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at the Owen Bay Wharf.
We are in the process of finalizing the concept design, aiming to start construction later this year and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on this project in person on July 28th or by email at engineering@srd.ca.
BACKGROUND
- In 2014, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) signed an agreement with Transport Canada to transfer the ownership and operation of the Owen Bay Wharf from Transport Canada to the SRD. The agreement included funding to cover ten years of maintenance and operation of the wharf.
- In 2018, a design for the expansion of the float was completed and presented to the community. The design generated concerns about the orientation of the expanded float and the increased constraint it would place on the barge landing.
- In 2021, a condition assessment of the wharf was commissioned.
- In early 2022, an environmental assessment and bathymetric survey were completed.
- July 2022, we are meeting with the community to finalize the concept.
FAQ’s
- How big is the new concept dock compared to the current one?
• Approximate size of current float – The perimeter is 25.5 lineal meters, and the area is 85m2
• Approximate size of concept float – The perimeter is 105.8 lineal meters, and the area is 128m2 - What happened to the previous design that was displayed on the wharf?
• Feedback from the community expressed concerns with the previous design
• We heard from community members that the direction of the prevailing winds needed more consideration - What does the new concept design include?
• This design creates more space for the barge to maneuver between the float and the shallow area
• This concept fits the available funding and the license area
• This concept meets the terms set by Transport Canada for the funding - What are the terms from Transport Canada?
The funding can ONLY be used to “bring the Ports up to a minimum safety standard; or rendering the Ports in compliance with regulatory or insurance requirements.” - What are the timelines of this project?
• Some of the work such as installing the new piles is best done in the marine window for the protection of fish and fish habitat, which is Nov. 1st – Feb. 15th and Jul. 1st – Sept. 1st.
• We are hoping to have the work done in the next winter fisheries window (Nov. 1st, 2022 – Feb. 15th, 2023) to avoid the busy season in the summer. If we miss the winter window, construction will occur in the summer of 2023. - Can I share this information with other residents?
Yes – please do! We do not have contact information for all community members and would like to keep everyone informed about this project. - Will my feedback matter?
Yes! We want to hear from the community how they feel about this design and if there are any improvements, you would like to see. We have time and financial constraints that will limit what changes or features we can deliver but we would like to hear more from community members. - How can I share my feedback with the Strathcona Regional District?
• Join us on the wharf on Thursday July 28th, 2022 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
• Email your comments to engineering@srd.ca, call 250-830-6719, or stop by the SRD corporate office at 990 Cedar Street – Campbell River by July 29th, 2022.
OWEN BAY WHARF RENOVATION CONCEPT PLAN – JULY 2022
