Staff pitch Garry Point as hub for 2011 Tall Ships event
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Updated: October 26, 2009 5:06 PM
City staff are recommending the city spend $1.3 million over two years to build waterfront infrastructure necessary to host the 2011 Tall Ships Challenge.
In a report to be presented to the city's parks, recreation and community services committee on Tuesday afternoon, city manager Serena Lusk wrote that it makes sense to build the infrastructure of floats and a dock at Garry Point Park.
"It is located at the heart of the Steveston waterfront, and close to Britannia Heritage Shipyard where the potential to host smaller class vessels would likely take place," Lusk wrote. "This option provides the full experience os the city's popular historic marine culture where spectators can walk the two kilometre stretch from both locations and enjoy recreation opportunities in the area."
But hosting the event, which as in 2002 would draw classically masted vessels to the fishing village, would require a financial investment.
Debris booms would need to control logs from entering the beach fronts, new floats would need to be added, as well as anchor points and public access ramps.
Two other options were under consideration: Imperial Landing and No. 3 Road Pier.
High costs and environmental considerations made the Imperial Landing prohibitive in prior considerations, although a pile and float structure may be feasible, Lusk wrote.
The No. 3 Road Pier has successfully hosted the Japanese sailing ships Nippon Maru and Kaiwo Maru, but the surrounding amenities are limited. With its out-of-the-way location, additional costs would also have to be considered, such as transportation, spectator services and venue management.
The new infrastructure would provide long-term benefits to the city, creating additional public amenities and improved public safety along the waterfront, Lusk wrote.
The 2002 Richmond Tall Ships drew a record 400,000 people to Steveston over four days, serving as the single largest weekend event the city has ever hosted. It injected millions of dollars into the community through souvenir sales and food purchases, among other things.
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