Saturday's official ribbon cutting and opening was ahead of schedule nine months after last year's storm that I wrote about
HERE.
There is more work to do and millions of dollars more to spend to finish the job but pedestrians are glad to access the historic pier that's been through a lot and is adored by the community. For many an early morning stroll over the watery shore is a ritual that was sorely missed.
Although reconstructed, you can see where part of the pier (below) had split by the span where there are no arches with lantern-style lighting.
The
City of White Rock, with its iconic boulder namesake, welcomed the patter of feet back on its pier as it had done for over a century. Along the way, the seaside city was delighted to learn the pier was likely the longest of its kind in Canada at 470 meters.
There were speeches made and, due to enormous support, many organizations and people to thank. Government and fundraisers of all sorts sped up rebuilding. Some donor concrete-reinforced planks were priced at $1,000 a piece.
Dignitaries and princesses were in attendance. While some listened intently, others played on the nearby rock.
The painted white 486-ton chunk of granite on the beach is a magnet for mini mountain climbers causing some to fear that the human traffic will eventually diminish its size. This
glacial erratic inspired a romantic legend you can read about
HERE.
Neither boulder nor beach can be reached by land without crossing the increasingly
busy railway track that was uncharacteristically silent during the event. It's the same line that so often blocks access to nearby Crescent Beach.
Suddenly a mournful sound wailed.
Crowds followed the bagpiper to the pier.
The ribbon was cut and people flowed in.
I was glad to see new fire extinguishers were part of the repair.
Houses on the hill and apartments hovered over the scene upon return to shore.
There were games to play on the lawns by the beach.
Talented musicians added their festive flair.
A lone boat bobbed in the bay seemingly unmoved by events and a
starfish clung to its watery realm below, oblivious to the activities above yet impacted by them.
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A well deserved celebration for the community! I’m so glad for the success of their efforts to preserve this treasure. So taken with your last beautiful purple starfish photo, I almost forgot what I wanted to say !
ReplyDeleteSomehow 470 metres just doesn't seem long enough for the longest pier in the whole country, although it is of course a substantial distance for a structure snaking out into the ocean. One day I will perhaps walk it and do a little birding from it. Every time we visit BC we head right to Vancouver Island because one of my wife's sisters lives there. I must say I find it idyllic, but one day I should spend a few days on the mainland.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely place - and such an impressive pier!
ReplyDeleteHello, I like the new pier and the lanterns are pretty. The view of the houses on the hill is nice, they have a great view. I love the starfish, I remember seeing of lot them on the beaches in Oregon years ago. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!
ReplyDeleteGreat rebuild and it's a wonderful event for the community
ReplyDeleteA great accomplishment getting that pier rebuilt. The arrangement with having to cross railroad tracks to get to it hopefully will be addressed in the future. I would guess that a granite boulder would have centuries of life left for kids climbing on it. I am delighted in seeing kids do something physical besides looking at their phones.
ReplyDeleteA great pier and a good day full of the opening events. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteA great day and your photographs documented it beautifully! A lovely community event.
ReplyDeleteA pier may not seem much to some, but when it is part of the fabric of a community, it matters. It appears the celebration was well-planned and befitting this wonderful structure. (I like the starfish, too.)
ReplyDeleteI love piers have been on many in England. It seems to me as if I walk on the water ! Nice pictures of the celebration !
ReplyDeleteYou are always good at bringing forth the excitement of the local events. All your photos talked nicely how the celebration went. I like the arch with gaslamp-style lighting on the pier . The view of the houses on the hill from the pier is lovely, so is the railway truck along the sea.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Wonderful shots of the celebration. Looks like a lot of fun. I love the shot of you as a child at the end where you said "still the kid I used to be". I don't think I've noticed that before.
ReplyDeleteLovely posts and photo variety ~ Love the painted fence ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)