Westmar Advisors has won an award of merit from the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of B.C. for its design work in repairing the White Rock Pier in 2019.
On Dec. 20, 2018, a powerful storm swept over B.C.’s Lower Mainland. White Rock was hard-hit, suffering extensive damage to its Waterfront, including the iconic pier. Most of the marina and the vessels in it were destroyed and the pier suffered extensive structural damage along its length, with a 100-metre section completely torn away.
In its award submission, Westmar recognized that the pier is “socially, culturally, and economically important to White Rock” and that the repairs needed to be completed as quickly as possible.
The pier was repaired, reopened on Aug. 27, 2019 and officially reopened on Sept. 21, 2019.
The ACEC-BC website described Westmar’s work as “an innovative design for the new section of the pier that was strong, economical, quick to install, and had minimal impacts to the sensitive intertidal areas surrounding the pier.”
Cost of Pier Damage
The cost to reconstruct the damaged section of the pier was $4.3 million. The Province of British Columbia gave the City $1 million toward the December 2018 storm damage, which included the Waterfront and the pier.
Preliminary cost estimates for the reconstruction of the remaining sections of the pier are estimated at $11.6 million.
Facts about the White Rock Pier
The White Rock Pier:
- Is Canada’s longest pier at 470 metres
- Originally opened in 1914
- Extends north-south into Semiahmoo Bay
- Is a unique wood construction
- Underwent restoration in 1977
- Closed due to storm damage on Dec. 20, 2018
- Reopened following repairs on Aug. 27, 2019
- The contractors for the repair work were:
- White Rock Pier: PPM Civil Constructors, ULC
- Arches and electrical: Crescent Electrical Contractors Ltd.
- Engineering Design: Westmar Advisors Inc.
- Project Management: Advisian Worley Group
- Environmental: Hatfield Consultants
Helpful Links
Quotes
Daniel Leonard
Vice-President
Westmar Advisors Inc.
“The reconstruction of the White Rock Pier is an example of what can be accomplished through teamwork and the practical application of innovative engineering solutions. Westmar Advisors is grateful for the opportunity to work with the City and the community of White Rock, and we are proud of the entire project team’s success in rapidly restoring the Pier to public use.”
Mayor Darryl Walker
City of White Rock
“Thank you to Westmar Advisors for your design work and to all of the companies involved in repairing the White Rock Pier after the devastating damage of December 2018. I also want to recognize the Province of B.C., and our community, which came together, raising funds to ensure the White Rock Pier is updated and ready to serve the community for another 100 years.”