The construction of the pier began on 2006 with a budget of $14.4 million. After series of delays and issues, the pier opened in June 2013. A well-known philanthropist, who was going to donate a $10 million sculpture Untitled, pulled out of the deal after locals opposed to it. Construction for the summer in 2008 was stopped because a crane fell into Lake Ontario. Later, the majority of the pier's reinforcement beams had to be fixed because they were found to be lacking in foundation. In 2012, the city council decided to remove a large wind turbine from the structure. The proposed plan for the length of the pier was supposed to be 100 meters more than the constructed.
Features
The S-shaped pier is 137 metres long and about 7.5 metres wide along the span or deck. It features a walkway and lighted lookout tower elevated four meters above the deck. The lookout tower or the raised platform, accessible by a circular staircase, is located on the fifth span of the deck. This raised platform also supports a 12-metre beacon made of tubular structural steel framing on the center. The pier, as part of Spencer Smith Park, is open between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. The pier is not maintained during winter, which is why it is not suggested to go to the pier during this season, especially in harsh and extreme weather. The pier is not open for motorized vehicles, except for city maintenance vehicles. At this time, there is no docking feature yet on the pier; although the City Council is intending to add one on later dates. Fishing and biking are allowed on the pier and park. Climbing, diving or swimming is not permitted on the pier, as well as skateboarding on benches and rails. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the pier. The maximum number of people safely permitted on the pier is 2,100.
Lasting Impressions: Handprints on the Pier
In October 2012, the city opened an opportunity for children across Burlington to leave their hand prints on the pier. The city received 444 entries, drawing one name from each of the six wards and a seventh name from the city at large. The city then took the hand print impressions of the seven children as part of leaving their legacy with the Brant Street Pier. The children returned to help unveil the plaque that contains the lasting impressions of their handprints on the opening ceremony held last June 2013.
