A prominent fixture along Salmon Arm's popular Foreshore/Raven Trail is coming down.
A city crew was on the trail Monday morning, Sept. 23 to demolish the remaining bird viewing platform.
Trail users were warned closures may be required during the process.
Frequently captured in photographs and on canvas, the wooden structure's removal comes in response to safety concerns.
"After 30-plus years and countless repairs, the current bird-viewing platform on the foreshore has deteriorated to the point of being unsafe. It is scheduled for demolition this week," explained Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society (SABNES) president Janet Aitken and board member Matthew Pyper in a Sept. 23 media release.
The trail is owned and maintained by the city, while the habitat/bird sanctuary between it and Shuswap Lake is owned by the Nature Trust of BC and maintained and protected by SABNES.
The trail itself has been called a "jewel" of Salmon Arm, while the platform, along with the boardwalk to the north, said SABNES, "Is not just a physical structure — it is a gateway for locals, birdwatchers, photographers, nature lovers, and tourists to experience the beauty of the Salmon Arm Bay."
SABNES plans to replace the unsafe structure with a larger platform with seating, "capable of hosting school groups or nature enthusiasts."
"Set away from the noise of passing trains and nestled in the reeds, this platform will serve as a peaceful space for observing wildlife," reads the media release.
To do the work, SABNES is asking for support from the community as it works to raise $250,000.
"Salmon Arm’s foreshore trail is one of the few remaining urban wetlands where the western grebes perform their beautiful mating dance and nest in the reeds," said SABNES. "It is a key attraction on the BC Bird Trails and draws visitors from around the world.
"Over the years, 282 bird species have been identified in Salmon Arm Bay and the delta of the Salmon River."
To support the project, SABNES is accepting donations via e-transfers to sabnes.org@gmail.com. Be sure to send a separate email with the amount of your donation and your contact information in order to receive a tax receipt. Cheques are also being accepted. Cheques made payable to SABNES can be mailed to Box 27, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 4N2. Visit sabnes.org to see the tiers of donation (to be up and running shortly) and for more information.
