The City of Surrey is moving forward with plans to build a pier designated for people to scatter their loved ones’ ashes along the Fraser River.
On Monday, city council voted unanimously in favour of going ahead with the idea that Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says has been disappointedly politicized.
“This is something that is really important to our community. This is about life, and this is about death,” Locke told OMNI News.
Currently, the city is evaluating two potential locations for the boardwalk’s construction: The Surrey Public Wharf, estimated to cost around $2.5 million, and Brownsville Bar Park, with a projected cost of approximately $3.8 million.
Locke tells OMNI News she has been approached by “business people” who would like to contribute to the pier’s development.
As for the next steps, council has tasked parks and recreation staff with seeking formal approval from both the provinical and federal government.
“Once we get that information back, we will move forward.”
Locke emphasized that cultural sensitivity and safety will be a top priority throughout the project.
“It’s incredibly important that the pier is safe. The one thing about the Fraser River is sometimes it looks like a lazy river, it is not.”
Parks staff is expected to present their final plan to council in 2025.
A “scattering garden” does already exist at Surrey’s Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery, but local laws prohibit scattering ashes in public parks.