A popular Saint John beach that has been off limits due to erosion and damage will open this summer after all, after the city found funding.
Coun. David Merrithew says it will cost $40,000 to open Mispec Beach to the public, with $15,000 of that coming from Canaport LNG and the rest from the city.
“The beach will be open this summer. As far as a big master plan as to what we can do to open that beach as it was just last year, that’s still up for discussion,” says Merrithew.
The Bay of Fundy has pounded Saint John’s Mispec Beach to the point where city hall has expressed concerns about public safety.
A major wind and rain storm hit the Fundy Coast in April, coinciding with an exceptionally high tide. Massive rocks, timber and concrete were tossed around like toys and the only staircases that provide public access to the beach were damaged.
Phase one of the beach project would include replacing the staircase, while phase two would examine the slope, but city council says that could cost upwards of $500,000.
“I like the beach, don’t get me wrong, but in my humble opinion, that’s a lot of money,” says Merrithew. “Especially when we’ve seen Mother Nature destroy what we’ve put in there two years ago and that cost a quarter of a million bucks.”
Randall Goodwin of the Saint John Citizens Coalition says a few community groups have stepped up to raise money to help keep the site up and running.
“To have an asset like that in our community, that’s 20 minutes outside the city … is very crucial that we keep the life and the viability of that park and beach open to the public,” says Goodwin.
“We’re going to be putting measures in place like an annual event out there, create some fundraising that certainly can go towards ongoing maintenance of the beach and park in general, so it’s not only a short-term thing we’re looking at, it’s long-term.”
Merrithew agrees a long-term solution is needed, but until then, residents will be able to access the beach this summer.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Blackford
