Reinstatement of vehicle access to Keats Landing dock, which closed last October, won’t happen until 2026, according to a staff report discussed by Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors on Oct. 24.
At a committee of the whole meeting, elected officials were told by staff dock repairs can’t be completed within the current “in water construction” timeframe allowed under the Fisheries Act, which will end on Jan. 31, 2025. After that date, the start of repairs to two pilings to increase the load-bearing capacity of the dock would have to wait until the next construction “window,” which will open on Aug. 15 of next year.
Further complicating repair efforts is the need for a budget increase. “A previously approved budget balance for Keats Landing major repairs of $93,000 has been drawn on for the engineered design and cost estimate, and an additional $268,500 will be required to complete the project,” the report states.
After receipt of those details, the committee recommended a project proposal come forward in the 2025 budget process. Initial discussion for next year’s spending plan will launch in the final months of 2024.
'Another summer' with dock limitations
While pedestrian access to the dock has remained open, the inability to have vehicles drive onto it, which made on and off-loading of freight and passengers from watercraft more convenient, resulted in numerous user complaints to the SCRD, according to the report.
West Howe Sound (Area F) director, Kate-Louise Stamford stated she shared the report with some of her constituents shortly after she received it. Those individuals emphasized to her the need for some community engagement on the matter. In Stamford's view, such discussions could help those who depend on the dock to “get through another summer” with limitations on dock access. Those impacted, she said include the island’s full and part-time residents and the Keats Camp operation, which during the summer welcomes about 350 campers, some with mobility challenges, each week.
Stamford said having temporary measures like wheelbarrows and freight carts at the dock could help facility users until vehicle access is restored.
Area D (Roberts Creek) director Kelly Backs agreed communications with dock users on the repair timelines was important. He stated he did not think it was the SCRD’s responsibility to organize or provide things like wheelbarrows, as that is something the users could do themselves.
