By mid-summer, Gibsonians may once again be able to (legally) visit Pebbles Beach.
Though some may regularly circumvent the boarded-up entrance to the beach staircase off of Franklin Road in Lower Gibsons, the access has technically been closed since February 2020 because of slope instability concerns.
On May 7, Gibsons council approved awarding a $173,000 contract to NB Contracting for the stairway replacement and slope stabilization. Completion is estimated for the end of June.
Back in winter 2020, land slippage was noted at two neighbouring Franklin Road properties, as well as the “bulging of the lower and upper retaining walls,” according to a staff report. The town subsequently closed the access while assessments and repairs were under way.
Gibsons’ 2024-2028 capital plan budgets $227,000 for this project, with $210,000 remaining after tree removal and consulting fees.
For those wondering where else in town limits they can go for a dip, the town has three other beach accesses: Armours Beach, Georgia Park and Atlee’s Beach (which is also on Franklin Road).
