Yellowknife (Sep 03/04) - The new wharf out by Giant Mine is coming along well, according to Public Works Director Greg Kehoe.

"It looks on-budget and on-schedule," he said last Thursday.

The reconstruction project is intended to fix and modify the wooden wharf, which was falling into disrepair. Construction began Aug. 10.

"The old wharf wasn't bad overall," Kehoe said.

"But some of it was rotting and as a public office we wanted to do something."

The new wharf will feature 70- to 80-foot-long steel pilings sunk 10 feet into the rock below the lake.

Each piling is approximately eight inches in diameter.

Kehoe explained that some timber from the old wharf will be retained but the structure itself will be made of concrete and the pilings will be secured in concrete.

One significant change from the old design is the height of the wharf.

"It was found to be a little higher than people would like for small boats," said Kehoe, explaining that the top layer of the old wharf has been removed to lower its height.

The city consulted with the Great Slave Yacht Club and other parties on the design.

The project was designed by Jivkov Engineering. NWT Rock Services is sinking the pilings and Nahanni Construction is doing the concrete.

Heritage decorations

In addition to the new wharf, Kehoe said the NWT Mine Heritage Society is bringing in old ore cars to decorate the parking lot.

Kehoe said he hopes the upgraded public wharf will be popular and increase boat use in the area.

"Boaters are really excited about it because it gives them an alternative to launching downtown. We wanted to give them another place to launch besides Old Town."

Construction is expected to wrap up around Sept. 10. The boat launch will remain open while the wharf is being rebuilt.