Just So Tired – Vancouver Real Estate

Whirring

Many times after enjoying the sound of my bike’s tires on the fine gravel of the Spanish Banks pathway they have chirped that undeniable whirring sound when they encountered the tarmac at the wharf. Riding along the gravel pathway to Spanish Banks from Jericho it proved a pleasant interlude that demands taking a moment to stop and absorb the wonderful view of water, mountains and city. There isn’t another spot quite like the old wharf at Jericho. With it’s imminent demise a part of Vancouver’s history and fond memories of those interludes will disappear from my life.

Previous Life

The wharf was once home to the Pacific Coast station of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1921 to 1945. The old green metal railings, circa 1938, that you see today surrounding the wharf came from the Lions Gate Bridge and were installed for the Habitat forum around 1976.

City Rhythms

Life moves along and our parks board taking the position of Joshua, dropped the gavel declaring that this wharf must tumble down. They say it’s rotting and is now unsafe. Some have sought to salvage this piece of Vancouver real estate history while others are concerned about the potential for development. Me, I’ll just miss the rhythmic interlude but the view and new beach will make up for it.

Sick Puppy

Concern and curiosity took control demanding a visit to the old place for a critical look to understand what all the fuss was about. In the news nobody really tells you everything and leaves you wanting with a thought that its just another adaptation in a changing city. When standing top side on the wharf you really wonder what the discussions are about. It looks good, it feels good and it still lets me jump up and down without falling through. At first glance it doesn’t seem all that bad. The secret is exposed with a low tide. It’s then that you get the opportunity to truly appreciate the problems of this old beauty. It is a very sick puppy.

Wood is Tough Stuff

I’m not sure why, but I suspect it was a senior’s moment, that I always thought the pylons supporting the wharf were concrete. Never imagined anything else would last this long as concrete has such a sense of permanence. I further suspect that because the deck has 4 to 5 inches of concrete capped by another few inches of tarmac that it seemed a logical deduction that the pylons supporting the entire deck were made of the same stuff. I never imagined that the stuff holding up the concrete was wooden. Surprised at my discovery, I found miles and miles of vertically placed 2 X 8 inch lumber laminated together to providing strength to this wharf for 87 years. Remarkable is that it has withstood the test of time under such harsh salt water and wind conditions. From another perspective, it makes you wonder why they tear down so many good old wood houses which by comparison are well protected?

Life Ends

Looking at these pictures there remains little doubt that for public safety, the right decision was made – the Jericho Wharf should be removed. The old wharf is simply very tired.

Got a Vancouver Real Estate question? Always happy to do my best to answer it. Call or send me an email. Larry