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Regina Beach businesses look forward to rebuilt dock

Construction on the dock is expected to be completed by the beginning of August, three years after it was flooded. Matt Myers / Global News

REGINA BEACH, Sask. – The historic dock being rebuilt in Regina Beach is nearing completion, and it can’t come soon enough for some of the town’s businesses.

“It’s put a damper on business,” said Gloria Donovel, owner of Donovel’s Gas Bar and Confectionary. “A lot of people just didn’t come.”

The dock, at the bottom of Centre Street, was destroyed after significant flooding in the spring of 2011.

“Oh boy, we were pretty disappointed. I think, the whole town was,” said Mayor Cameron Hart.

The dock is now being rebuilt thanks to money from the disaster relief fund, private donations, and $40,000 from the town.

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The build is pegged to cost $1.4 million, “But, because of all the volunteer help that we get and stuff like that, we’re going to be in well below that,” said Hart.

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The dock’s destruction led to a year-over-year rise in sales to stabilize for Blue Bird Café.

“It affected business by slowing [things] down,” said Glenn Lucas, owner of the cafe. “And then, as we went through the summer, with the flood and the pier being gone, it was a loss for the town.”

Pura Vida Hair Co didn’t exist during the old dock’s era, but the owner can foresee benefits of its return.

“I’m really excited for it. I think it will be great. I mean, lots of local people have been working on it, so it’s a really great thing. It’s brought the community together, to get it up and going,” said Krista Ursulescu.

Construction on the dock is expected to be completed by the beginning of August, three years after it was flooded, though the new 50-foot extension should be open in the coming weeks, in time for fishing season.

“It makes me teary-eyed […] because I’m glad that it’s here, and I’m just happy we’re going to finally have a pier again,” said Donovel.

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