It appears the city's proposal to consider a zipline at Westminster Pier Park has hit a snag.
As part of the detailed design work being done to improve access to the waterfront park, city council had authorized staff to proceed with work on developing an overpass that includes stairs and an elevator connection to Westminster Pier Park from Fourth Street. Council also asked staff to investigate the feasibility of installing a seasonal zipline from the viewing platform to Westminster Pier Park.
A staff report stated that a leading zipline operator said the height of the viewing platform isn't high enough to provide a safe, commercial viable operation.
The elevation between the viewing platform and the landing platform would only be 1.5 metres, which is considered insufficient for zipline operation.
Roger Emanuels, the city's manager of design and construction, said the height between the takeoff platform and the landing platform isn't enough to create an entertaining ride.
The City of New Westminster had hoped to have the overpass completed by September 2013, but it's now adjusted the completion date to October.
"The detailed design work is just being done," Emanuels said. "They are finalizing the foundation requirements."
According to a staff report, the need for additional geotechnical investigation and foundation design to meet seismic requirements has delayed the anticipated completion date by a month.
Emanuels told council Monday that the soil at Westminster Pier Park "needs to be densified" as part of the overpass construction.
As part of the tendering process, Emanuels said the city would be able to consider bids that could fast track construction of the overpass.
Mayor Wayne Wright asked that staff report back to council as the project proceeds.
"October is not a bad time at all," he added. "There are still a lot of people out."
Jim Lowrie, the city's director of engineering, said the city will try to minimize the impact that construction has on the park by limiting work to the area north of the Lytton Square structure.
Since its opening in June 2012, visitors have only been able to access Westminster Pier Park via a parking lot at the west side of the park, which is the area next to River Market. The city has budgeted $1.85 million for the overpass, which is based on preliminary designs, and expects to tender construction of the overpass in June.
