Kimberley City Council wants the covered walkway from the Platzl parking lot gone before tourist season, though they have not yet settled on what, if anything, will replace it.
The Kimberley Chamber of Commerce made a request earlier this winter that the walkway, which is leaning to one side and rotting, be replaced.
A report from the Manager of Parks and Recreation Dave Clarke advised that the structure be removed and then gave Council three choices; replace it with a similar structure, replace it with a redesigned elevated structure or leave it open and add a defined entry structure at each end. It was not recommended it be repaired, as it was beyond that.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s moving too slow,” said Coun. Darryl Oakley. “I would support the structure being removed and ,in the budget process, we figure out a new entrance. It’s time to clear this up and work with building owners. Summer is coming and we should be on this.”
Coun. Nigel Kitto said he agreed removing it was important but said a measured approach on what to replace it with was still needed.
Coun. Bev Middlebrook noted that one of the replacement options was to have it look similar to the new timber-frame walking bridges in town. If affordable, that would be nice, she said.
Coun. Sandra Roberts suggested Council move ahead with removal of the structure as soon as possible, and working towards replacement, which Coun. Kent Goodwin supported.
“I support that,” Oakley said. “But it’s just a piece of what I’d like to see done. The Tyee bridges — I know I didn’t support them at the time — but people really like them. I hear that a lot. But we need to make a decision. Very quickly a construction season will be lost.”
There was also some discussion about putting similar entrance structures at all Platzl entrances, but that was tabled until a future date.