Photo by Denis Bouvier
The demolition of Jericho Wharf is proceeding and will result in restoring the original beach. The project will cost nearly $3 million, but it has been expensive to maintain the structure; it creates environmental damage from the 70 year old creosote-coated pilings threatening marine life and swimmers. Located next to the Jericho Sailing Centre, the structure itself is felt to be a hazard for boaters. However, neither the tanker in the background nor the swimmer in the foreground seem worried.
The area around the wharf was a naval reserve dating back to the inception of the city. It was named Jerry’s Cove after a Hastings Mill logger called Jeremiah Rogers. The same name evolved into Jericho – hence Jericho Beach. It was also the site of Vancouver’s first golf course.
From 1921–1945, the site was home to the Pacific Coast Station of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving as a training base for seaplanes and flying boats – huge seaplanes used for cargo transport and which now exist in the form of water bombers. It was the terminus of the first flight by seaplane from Montreal in 1926 and launched air patrols which searched for Japanese subs during WW II.
Taken over by the city in the late 60’s, it became the basis for Jericho Park. In 1976, it was the key location for Vancouver’s Habitat Forum, bringing together personalities like Buckminster Fuller, Margaret Mead, and Mother Teresa, to discuss and explore human living conditions and social justice. 5 huge hangars in back of the wharf left over from WWII were used for the forum and modified to resemble native longhouses; one was adorned with a beautiful First Nations mural by Bill Reid. All the hangars were demolished by the Parks Board in the late 70’s. What will be saved are the wharf’s heritage iron railings which were originally from the Lions Gate Bridge.
Although the wharf will be gone, and there are many who wanted to save it, there will be some form of interpreting its historical significance which will be determined at a later date through public input.
