NANAIMO – The City of Nanaimo announced September 10 that work to resolve the identified safety risks associated with the Lower Colliery Dam in the city’s Colliery Dam Park will start during the week of September 14, as crews begin construction of an auxiliary spillway. Nanaimo’s Copcan Civil Ltd., was chosen by City Council September 2 as the on-site contractor to lead the redevelopment project.
“The City is seeking the public’s cooperation as work begins on the construction of the auxiliary spillway. Visitors to the park and park users are asked to watch for signs identifying detours or closed areas. Additional information can be obtained from the City’s website or marked information signs located in the park,” requested Toby Seward, the city’s Acting General Manager, Community Development and Protective Service.
Park users are advised that, during key construction phases, access near or across the Lower Colliery Dam will be unavailable for certain periods while work is carried out. Detour signs will be installed as required. To ensure safety, park users are asked to follow the directions outlined on the signs, along with any direction received by work crews.
Park access will remain available at the Middle Colliery Dam, as this route is not impacted. All pedestrian traffic will be directed from Harewood Mines Road near Glengarry Crescent through to the Nanaimo Lakes Road access at the Middle Dam.
During the period of September 14th through 18th, park users can expect to see:
- Site preparation
- Creation of a construction staging area off 7th St.
- Creation of an access route from 7th St. into the park along an existing trail
- Temporary closure of the wood bridge crossing Harewood Creek
- Site clearing, including grubbing and tree removal, scheduled to begin September 15
Key Points:
- Construction of an auxiliary spillway near the Lower Dam in Colliery Dam Park is set to begin the week of September 14th.
- During construction, signage will indicate when the Lower Colliery Dam trail network is closed and an alternative route using the middle Colliery Dam is to be followed. Flag people will be on site to ensure safe routes through the park are defined.
- Members of the public seeking previous information updates concerning the Colliery Dams are encouraged to visit the Colliery Dam Information page located on the City’s website.