mr.x
July 6th, 2007, 07:49 PM
Games spur serious look at new decks
Aging structures not built to last past 2001
Christina Montgomery, The Province
Published: Friday, July 06, 2007
The prospect of hordes of Olympic visitors tramping across the cracked, decaying decking around Vancouver's Science World is spurring plans for as much as $36 million in repairs to the aging structure.
The deck, which hangs on pilings over False Creek, was built in 1985 as a temporary structure in the Expo 86 complex.
The pilings are split and rotted in spots and 95 per cent of the concrete surface panels have full-length cracks, according to a city engineering report.
Council has approved $650,000 for a study of how best to replace the deck, which is now heavily used by pedestrians and bicyclists.
Repair or replacement of the decking has been a concern for years with both the city and the parks board.
Because the site sits at the east end of False Creek next to buildings that will house Olympic athletes in 2010, it is expected to draw large crowds in that year -- and repairs have become more urgent.
City staff and politicians say the Games provide much-needed impetus to get the work done.
Municipal transportation engineer Ian Adam has said Olympic plans provide an "opportune time" to have a permanent pathway built.
Coun. Heather Deal, former chairwoman of the parks board, said "the decking needs to be done anyway, and this gives us a reason to do it."
A city report dated June 26, 2007, says that after Expo 86, the province offered the structure to the city, which did an engineering study and found that -- "due to the temporary nature of its construction" -- the deck had a remaining life of about 15 years.
Housing developments in the surrounding areas are increasing wear and tear and make the option of simply repairing the deck every few years an increasing challenge.
THE REPORT PROPOSES TWO SOLUTIONS:
- Replace the entire deck at a cost of $36 million during 12 months of disruptive construction ($26 million of that for the south area alone) or;
- Make "significant" repairs every three to five years at a cost of $3 million and six months' disruption this year. Full replacement would still be required in 25 years.
If the full repair is approved, the money will be drawn from the city's parks development fund, essentially eating up most of the funds into 2009.
cmontgomery@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Province 2007
Aging structures not built to last past 2001
Christina Montgomery, The Province
Published: Friday, July 06, 2007
The prospect of hordes of Olympic visitors tramping across the cracked, decaying decking around Vancouver's Science World is spurring plans for as much as $36 million in repairs to the aging structure.
The deck, which hangs on pilings over False Creek, was built in 1985 as a temporary structure in the Expo 86 complex.
The pilings are split and rotted in spots and 95 per cent of the concrete surface panels have full-length cracks, according to a city engineering report.
Council has approved $650,000 for a study of how best to replace the deck, which is now heavily used by pedestrians and bicyclists.
Repair or replacement of the decking has been a concern for years with both the city and the parks board.
Because the site sits at the east end of False Creek next to buildings that will house Olympic athletes in 2010, it is expected to draw large crowds in that year -- and repairs have become more urgent.
City staff and politicians say the Games provide much-needed impetus to get the work done.
Municipal transportation engineer Ian Adam has said Olympic plans provide an "opportune time" to have a permanent pathway built.
Coun. Heather Deal, former chairwoman of the parks board, said "the decking needs to be done anyway, and this gives us a reason to do it."
A city report dated June 26, 2007, says that after Expo 86, the province offered the structure to the city, which did an engineering study and found that -- "due to the temporary nature of its construction" -- the deck had a remaining life of about 15 years.
Housing developments in the surrounding areas are increasing wear and tear and make the option of simply repairing the deck every few years an increasing challenge.
THE REPORT PROPOSES TWO SOLUTIONS:
- Replace the entire deck at a cost of $36 million during 12 months of disruptive construction ($26 million of that for the south area alone) or;
- Make "significant" repairs every three to five years at a cost of $3 million and six months' disruption this year. Full replacement would still be required in 25 years.
If the full repair is approved, the money will be drawn from the city's parks development fund, essentially eating up most of the funds into 2009.
cmontgomery@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Province 2007