The three Rotary Clubs that helped bring Kal Beach a new pier met for a re-dedication ceremony Saturday, May 31.
The new pier stood triumphantly in the background under sunny skies as representatives from the Kalamalka, Vernon and Silver Star Rotary clubs unveiled a stone monument re-dedicating the pier to the clubs. The stone replaces old signage that is destined for the local museum and recognizes the recent contributions the clubs jointly made to improve access to the pier and to bring the project across the finish line.
The original Rotary Pier was completed 90 years ago when the Vernon Rotary Club donated funds and split the costs with the City of Vernon in 1934. Back then the cost of constructing the pier was just $800, said Brian Reid, president of the Kalamalka Rotary Club.
After structural issues were discovered, the pier was completely rebuilt earlier this year by Burton Pile Driving, with more than $550,000 provided by the District of Coldstream for the project.
The new pier has been built with metal pilings and composite decking to ensure it will be usable for many years to come.
The completion of the project coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Vernon Rotary Club.
"We wanted the Rotary naming rights for the pier to maintain itself, because for 90 years we've had our name on the beach. And so that's why the monument and the pier recognition has happened again," said Reid.
The project included installing accessibility mats that run over the sand to the pier, allowing easy access to the pier and the water for wheelchair users. Some accessibility ramps and railings will be added in the future, Reid said.
"It feels great," Reid said of the project's completion. "It almost took a year to get this planning done and go to the council to get their approval to do it, but we're very happy that we've got it here for generations."
Vernon Rotary Club president Kate Kutzner said with the club's centennial coming this year, they wanted to do something big, and the pier project fit the bill.
"I remember coming here when I was so little, I would spend summers here with my grandma and we would come to this beach every summer. And I know that I can't be the only one in this community who has been coming here since they can barely remember. It is a part of the identity of this community," Kutzner said.
She added some signage describing the history of the pier will soon be added.
Kutzner also teased another development, saying there are plans to merge the Vernon and Kalamalka Rotary clubs. More on that to come.
