Seawall Project 

In a previous posting to S2S I invited members to contact me with any questions regarding our Seawall Project's plans.  I have been talking with many of you and have received positive and encouraging feedback. The following addresses common questions I've been getting.

Please feel free to contact me. I can be reached at vcplan@abyc.on.ca, or 416-817-5434.

Best Regards,

Bob Brew

VC - Planning

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. I hear we are buying some expensive heavy equipment?

A. Yes, the Seawall Planning Committee determined our best course of action is to continue the seawall remediation "in-house", which does mean acquiring the right equipment for the job.   Be assured, they are looking for equipment that would be suitably aged and depreciated.  All opportunities for leasing/renting/buying or even borrowing are being fully investigated.

Q. Why can't we keep repairing as we are doing so today?

A. The pace is simply too slow.  The walls are failing at a rate faster than the existing technique can keep up.  That technique also requires a large team of volunteers and frequent maintenance to old and inadequate equipment.

Q. Why do we have to do this now?

A. We've known for years that our walls were rapidly rusting and at the end of their life.  We had a study done a couple years ago that confirmed it.  Study results aside, the wall retainers are breaking underground and the walls are crumbling at the water level at an ever faster rate.  They are showing themselves to be worse than estimated and we've lost the luxury of postponing.

Q. What if we do nothing?

A. If we wait any longer, we risk significant interruption to our sailing operations all around the harbour, summer and winter.

Q. Can't our existing tractor/backhoe do the same job?

A. We need the right tool for the job to outpace the deterioration.  Our tractor isn't suitable in several areas including hydraulics and reach.

Q. If we buy heavy equipment, who would be qualified to operate and maintain it?

A. Training several operators will be an important part of the acquisition.  We've found training available from a local firm which has suggested a "one day" training for a small group.  We are told it would be very adequate and at an approximate cost of $1,200.

Q. How long a project is this?

A. This is another project which depends heavily on member participation.  We are still in the logistics-planning phase which includes how we would, going forward, winter-store boats further away from targeted walls, and possibly how to have the least interruption shuffling docks during the sailing season. Today's best-case scenario is three winter seasons, but count on four.  So, 3 to 4 years.

Q. Ok, so how much will it cost?

A. The value of the equipment, either purchased or rented is approximately $100,000.  The bigger concern is the cost of materials.  We budgeted $50,000 for this year - but that was based on working at our existing pace.  With the pace significantly increased under the new technique, we could work through that same $50,000 on a monthly basis for those months we are active.

Q. The big question is - how do we pay for it?

A. The Seawall Committee is currently reviewing options and will present them at our April General Meeting. We will have to get creative.