Feds helping CBS act on plans to fortify Long Pond breakwater
By Mark Squibb
The federal government will kick in $5.6 million towards efforts to fortify the Long Pond breakwater in CBS against the bigger storms resulting from climate change.
The money will be allocated to the Town of Conception Bay South’s $14 million plan to upgrade breakwater.
“Communities throughout Canada face, and will continue to face, significant weather events and disasters resulting from climate change,” said Avalon MP Paul Connors, during a press conference outside the library last week. “Conception Bay South is taking proactive measures to safeguard its infrastructure from increasing impacts. With the shoreline at risk of storm surge, the Town is acting to protect residents, properties, businesses, and essential services.”
The breakwater was severely damaged by a storm in January 2020, and then again in 2021.
“These back-to-back, extreme weather events make one thing clear — the storms that were once considered rare, are now more frequent, more intense, and more unpredictable,” said Mayor Darrin Bent. “Since 2020, the Town has invested in repairs, technical assessments, and a coastal engineering study, and, thanks to the federal government, we are now ready to begin further protective enhancements in that area. This work will strengthen our shoreline and protect our community.”
Bent noted that at the most recent council meeting, council awarded a contract to hire engineering firm Baird at a cost of $667,192, plus HST for prime consulting services related to the ‘Long Pond Breakwater Erosion Mitigation’ project. The mayor added the federal contribution is actually closer to $7 million as the Town will be able to claim the GST.
The money will be used to fortify a 1,500-meter stretch of the natural breakwater using armour stone.
Bent said that work could begin as early as next year.
On a lighter note, this was Connors’ second time making a funding announcement in his hometown of CBS since being elected to the federal government this past April.
“I’m very proud, and hopefully I’ll be back soon to hand out more money for residents of the Avalon riding and of course residents of Conception Bay South,” said the former town councillor, smiling.
Former MP Ken McDonald, who was MP at the time when the funding was approved, was also in attendance.