Waterfront development hits $1M snag

Asubmerged vessel and other underwater obstructions are in the way of where the city planned to build new boat slips, Thunder Bay's waterfront development committee has learned from a recent consultant's report.

A former tugboat basin and the former Pool 6 elevator property are part of phase two of the Prince Arthur's Landing development.

Mark Bentz, who chairs the committee, said the hidden obstacles mean the city will have to re-adjust its timelines and cost estimates for the waterfronts development.

"We're told that one was an old ship that was sunk and filled with concrete to create a pier," Bentz said.

He said just exploring exactly what is underwater could cost $1 million.

Phase two of the Prince Arthur's Landing development calls for about 300 boat slips to be built, and the development of the former Pool 6 elevator site.

"It certainly doesn't make it to the point where you can't do anything, it just changes maybe the timelines, the costing, and how [the project] could be implemented," Bentz said.

A diver has already been sent down to survey the area. There have been some sonar scans as well, but all the work has been very preliminary.

The discovery means the city may end up building fewer boat slips to save on the cost of pulling submerged items from the water. It may also build around the underwater obstructions.