After prolonged delays, the new boat launch at Sarnia's Centennial Park will finally open next week.
City hall announced today that the ramp will open on Thursday, April 26, on the eve of the 42nd annual Bluewater Anglers Salmon Derby.
Sarnia Chief Administrative Officer Margaret Misek-Evans says work on the fixed wharfs, ramp and wharf concrete, and parking lot grading is done, and pre-cast ramp panels, and sidewalks are in place.
"I'm understanding from my staff, who've been out there supervising the work and also in consultation with Dave Brown, they had some members of the boating community, fishing derby, out recently and the comments have been very positive," says Misek-Evans. "People are happy with the boat ramp as it's looking and all we have left is installation of the floating docks."
Once that's done, the parking lot will be closed for about two weeks in May to allow for paving. Until then, boat launch fees will not apply.
The ramp was not finished in time for the official reopening of Centennial Park last summer because of issues with underwater construction materials and other technical difficulties.
The city parted ways with consultant Golder Associates and Bre-X Construction carried out a plan to finally get the job done.
City councillor Brian White is pleased the ramp is complete but admits there's concern about the $13-million overall cost of the Centennial Park remediation.
"I'm certainly concerned about the costs," says White. "I don't think that anybody is happy any time costs go up, but I believe in the end we did well for the construction that was required in a site that contained a whole lot of obstacles."
Most of the popular waterfront park was closed for four years after asbestos and other contaminants were found in the soil in May 2013.