A section of retaining wall by The Boathouse is slated for restoration in the months to come, along with a few alterations.
The planned work, which is expected to be done before the Victoria Day long weekend next May, includes rebuilding a set of stairs down to the Speed River closer to Gordon Street and adding a railing along the retaining wall.
“We've got some historical structural issues that need to be addressed,” Reg Russwurm, the city's manager of design and construction, said of the retaining wall. “There were plants that were growing into the wall that were causing root damage.”
City officials recently issued a call for proposals, seeking contractors to perform the necessary work. That has since closed, but the project has not been assigned just yet.
Plants that were growing into the retaining wall were removed last year.
“That was dealt with and now we're coming in and doing the structural work,” Russwurm said.
A lack of railing along the retaining wall in that area, which is a popular spot for people to gather along the river, was identified as a safety concern.
“I know there were some heritage questions around installing it but ultimately we've got to make sure it's a safe feature for the community,” said Russwurm.
“We've been working closely with the canoe rental businesses and others in the area so that we're again doing what we can to mitigate disruption to our businesses,” he added, noting that’s what the work is planned to be finished before next summer’s rush. “That's the reason we're starting the fall construction.”
The project is budgeted at about $1 million and Russwurm anticipates it will stay within that amount.
