It was a project a decade in the making but thanks to a generous donation it will soon get closer to reality.
Council on Monday will consider a staff recommendation to award a $254,400 contract for the design and construction of two accessible pedestrian bridges and associated trail improvements at Ladner Harbour Lagoon.
The city had earlier received a bequest of more than $600,000 from the estate of Shirley Ann Bolhuis to complete the footpath around the harbour lagoon and a pair of bridges.
The trail and metal bridges are to be wheelchair accessible and a plaque will be erected to recognize her gift to the people of Ladner.
Bolhuis passed away in 2004.
In addition to the lagoon works, which had an estimated $400,000 cost, there was also to be a wheelchair accessible plaza created in Lions Park at the edge of Chilukthan Slough. That had an estimated cost of $80,000.
The Lions Park plaza was to be dedicated to the memory of Shirley's late brother “Big John” Bolhuis who passed away in 2017. A plaque is also be erected to recognize John, a beloved fixture in the Ladner community and life-long resident.
The bridge project has been on the City of Delta’s books since 2009 when the province decommissioned the western pedestrian bridge due to its poor condition.
The first project involves a footpath around Ladner Harbour Lagoon as well as a pair of pedestrian bridges
The bridge removal limited trail use and despite Delta’s requests, the province was not prepared to reinstate the western bridge, citing that funding was unavailable.
Initial efforts for the replacement of the western bridge included work in association with the Kiwanis Club of Ladner/Tsawwassen, but the club has since disbanded and other service clubs were pursuing other initiatives.
The Ladner Harbour Lagoon is in the Ladner Marsh Conservation Area, which is owned by the province.
A report to council notes the city has an existing licence agreement for use of the lagoon for the trail and bridges and that agreement expires in 2024.
Delta has engaged the province regarding a 10-year extension of the agreement to secure the community's access through 2034.
The report notes the province has responded that the extension process could take approximately two years due to a rigorous review process, consultation commitments and the high volume of applications.
The province also stated that licence agreements for lands where improvements have been made for public enjoyment and community use are generally renewed, the report notes, adding that the province's representative stated that they see no obstacles to either extending or replacing the tenure.
