Storm vulnerability of Charlottetown waterfront a concern

New efforts to protect the Charlottetown waterfront from tropical storms and hurricanes are underway.

A year ago, the Charlottetown Yacht Club was dealing with post-tropical storm Arthur.

"We had some significant damage to both the docks and the infrastructure. It was probably in the range of about $80,000. We're still basically still in the process of kind of fixing that," said Kerry Marsh, the club's commodore.

It now plans to do a study to evaluate the infrastructure around the club, including the seawall, which is deteriorating.

"We know now that, based on the research, it's not if we're going to have a breach of the seawall, but when. So we want to be able to protect the waterfront and the people and the businesses."

The Charlottetown Area Development Corporation is also investigating the impacts of weather and tide on the Charlottetown waterfront. It has commissioned three engineering studies, looking at the area from Victoria Park to the Hillsborough Bridge.

"I think everyone recognized that there were challenges on the waterfront and there was a need to do something," said Ron Waite CADC's general manager.

"But when you're looking for funding from various levels of government, you need to have some more, a little bit more scientific information than just saying that we need to do something."

The studies will evaluate the vulnerabilities of the waterfront and which areas are priorities to fix.

The group doing the study has previously worked with areas hit by Hurricane Sandy. 

"The third study would look at what are some of the opportunities to remediate some of the risks associated with either sea-level rise, storm conditions, those kinds of things," said Waite.  

Waite says the solution may be a breakwater, which could cost up to $10 million, or even a floating structure. He says there may be different solutions to protect different areas.

Waite expects a draft of the first study by November.