The City acquired the Anderton Arms building to address the safety risk. The design and location of the Anderton Arms Apartment Building make it vulnerable to movement of the retaining wall. Tenants of the building have relocated with support from the City, including compensation based on length of tenancy, financial assistance to help wtih moving costs and support from the M'akola Housing Society.
Project status
Ongoing
The City is moving forward with the demolition of the former Anderton Arms, Cona Hostel and Bridge Lounge buildings in spring/summer of 2025. The removal of these buildings is the first step in the Anderton Dike Remediation Project, which includes the removal of the failing retaining wall and a naturalization of the shoreline.
This is an exciting next step in improvements for the CIty of Courtenay's riverfront.
Project updates
- The contract for demolition has been awarded to Milner Group. Crews mobilized on site in June 2025.
- All hazardous materials abatement is now complete.
- Demolition of the three buildings is expected to be complete in mid-September. Crews will then complete earthworks and site clean up, and be finished in the area in mid-October.
- More time was needed than originally scheduled because extra abatement work was required.
- The City is still planning for the future of the site, and will be working towards removal of the failing retaining wall.
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Construction notices
- Traffic disruptions are intermittent and short-term. Please be prepared for changes to traffic flow and access, and slow down to respect workers and equipment operating in the area.
- There will be no closures on 5th Street or the 5th Street Bridge.
Community notices
- August 2025 neighbourhood notice #3 [PDF/289KB]
- June 2025 neighbourhood notice #2
- April 2025 neighbourhood notice #1
Recent timeline
- Aug. 2025: All hazardous material abatement is complete.
- June 2025: Crews begin work on site, beginning with hazardous materials abatement at the Bridge Lounge building.
- May 2025: Milner Group is awarded the contract for demolition of the vacant buildings.
- March 2025: The City is preparing to demolish three buildings near the 5th Street bridge - the Anderton Arms apartment and former Cona Hostel and Bridge Lounge. A tender is expected to be awarded in April, with work to be complete in spring/summer of 2025.
- January 2025: With tenant relocation complete, plans are underway for the demolition of the Anderton Arms building and former Cona Hostel building in 2025.
- October 2024: Acquisition of the former Cona Hostel is completed.
- August-December 2024: Residents of the Anderton Arms building relocate. Support from the M’akola Housing Society for the relocation process is made available by the City and tenants are compensated based on length of tenancy.
- July 2024: The City acquires the Anderton Arms building to address the safety risk created by the failing wall.
- December 2023: The City notifies residents and community about the Risk of Failure for the sheet pile section of the Anderton Wall.
Frequently asked questions
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