Squamish hopes to rebuild shipping dock destroyed by fire
Posted April 26, 2015 10:06 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SQUAMISH (NEWS1130) – Despite a massive fire nearly two weeks ago destroying one of the main shipping docks in Squamish, there is hope it will soon be rebuilt.
Over the next three weeks crews will take it apart piece by piece while removing burned debris still floating in the water.
During normal operations about 100 people are employed but if things are busy it could be as high as 230.
Kim Stegeman, Vice-President of Squamish Terminals, says luckily no one has had to be laid off. “While the fire has had a serious impact on Squamish Terminals, we have resumed operations. We are using our west dock and although working with only one dock does present some logistical challenges, we will be able to handle our current cargo volume.”
“We are working very closely with all of our partners and customers and we are managing the same ship volume off the second berth.”
Stegeman adds crews are still shocked by the blaze but have been able to find a silver lining. “Not only is it difficult to watch part of the dock disappear as a result of the fire but many of our team members have worked here for 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, so this is a difficult time for us. We are rallying as a team, there is no question, in fact, it brings the team closer together.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and its unknown how much all of this is going to cost.
