Extension of Vancouver seawall from Kitsilano to Jericho beach under consideration

A motion will be moved by Non-Partisan Association councillor George Affleck and seconded by Green councillor Adriane Carr at city council next week proposing that staff look into an extension along the 3 km stretch.

“It really is about doing that research, and asking staff to come back with a report to do proper public engagement, find out what the opportunity is, look at the funding partners, look at security, privacy, all those things, and report back to council on the possibility of how this might work,” Affleck told the Straight.

Vancouver park board chair Sarah Blyth also plans to bring a motion forward later this month on the issue. She said the seawall extension is under consideration by the park board following an offer of a private donation to help fund the link.

“There’s been a donor come forward who uses the seawall, a private donor, who would be willing to donate a substantial amount,” Blyth said in a phone interview.

“It’s helpful when you have a certain amount of money donated…it would help us leverage other monies."

Blyth said a public consultation process would be the first step as the city considers the possibility of a seawall extension.

“First what comes is the public consultation to see if it’s something that Vancouver wants,” said Blyth.

“What we do is just put it out there, see if that’s what people want, do a community consultation, see if it can work.”

Blyth added it’s “a priority” for both the park board and the city to look into completing the seawall network.

“It seems that everybody agrees that this is something we need to look at,” she said.

“I’m hoping once we put the motion forward, we’re going to move as quickly as possible to get something on this.”

Affleck’s motion will go before council next Tuesday (July 10).Blyth will move her motion on July 23.