Updated October 14, 2025

On October 9, 2025, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), closed the floating dock at West Bay on Gambier Island due to structural concerns. See news release here.  

Following the closure, the SCRD worked with a contractor to determine the extent of the deterioration of the float. The contractor has informed the SCRD that there are short-term fixes that can be completed to secure the dock which would allow it to reopen for public use until it can be replaced.  

While the float will need to be closed and completely replaced in the coming year, the SCRD is pleased to be able to continue providing dock services for residents of West Bay through the winter months.  

Short term repairs will be completed in the coming weeks.  When the float reopens, it will be available for pick-up and drop-off only with no mooring permitted, until the new replacement is installed.

The SCRD has launched a community-wide effort to revamp the Hopkins Landing dock. The dock was closed to public access in June 2023 after a structural assessment found it was unsafe for public use.

September 2025 – Update

The contractor is expected to be onsite in November to work on the main dock area. A reminder that the work on the float is not occurring as part of this stage of the project. Further information on when the float replacement work will begin will be shared when available.

The projects is expected to be completed by the end of January 2026.

April 2025 – Update

When the Hopkins Landing Dock was closed, the float was removed and placed into storage.  Repairs were identified as part of the renovation project.

The SCRD Board approved funding for a new replacement float. This replacement will require a separate design and construction contract and will not be completed alongside the main dock upgrades, which are expected to proceed in the early fall.

January 2025 – Update

Due to permitting delays, Hopkins Landing Dock project has been delayed until late summer. Read more by clicking here.

See the construction timeline for more information.

September 2025 – Update

Pre-construction meetings are underway between SCRD staff and the contractor. Construction timelines will be shared once finalized, but work is anticipated to begin before the end of the year.

This project is expected to be completed by the end of January 2026.

Work will begin on the repairs in the early fall 2025, to adhere to the permit approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Fisheries and Species at Risk Acts. Until such time as construction is complete, for safety purposes, the dock will remain closed to vehicles.

Background Information
A major inspection (including underwater) of the Keats Landing dock was completed in fall of 2023. The engineering report received by SCRD staff following the inspection stated, “the facility has significant structural damage to two bearing piles along the approach. Both piles have significant internal cross section loss and are no longer considered structurally reliable.”

• No person shall obstruct or interfere with any person, vessel, watercraft or seaplane lawfully using the dock.
• No person shall behave in a disorderly, dangerous or offensive manner on the dock.
• No person shall make or cause noises or sound, operate any equipment, vehicles, vessel, watercraft, seaplane or machinery which disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, enjoyment and comfort of other persons. The above does not prohibit music integral to a camp or community celebration provided the music occurs between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
• No person shall possess an open container of liquor on the dock.
• No littering on the dock or in the water surrounding a dock.
• No person shall place, post or erect a sign on a dock unless with permission from the SCRD. Notwithstanding the above, community notices and temporary non-commercial banners are permitted.
• No person shall remove, destroy or damage any portion of the dock structure or any sign, notice, rule or regulation posted on a dock by or under the authority of the SCRD.
• No person shall abandon a vessel, watercraft or seaplane at the dock.
• No person shall moor a vessel, watercraft or seaplane at the dock in such a manner as to unduly obstruct the movement of other vessels or watercraft.
• No vessel, watercraft or seaplane shall moor at a dock for a period in excess of 24 hours unless otherwise posted by the SCRD.
• No person shall use the surface of a dock for any major maintenance or repair work or do any other thing in such a manner as to impede the use of the dock by others.
• No person shall build or place any structure on a dock unless authorized by the SCRD.
• No person shall store any material of any kind, including a watercraft, on the surface of a dock unless in an area posted as a storage area. SCRD staff may order a vessel, watercraft or seaplane removed from the dock or moved to alter its position to facilitate the proper management, control and use of the dock.

Any person who contravenes these rules and regulations or other provisions of Ports Regulations Bylaw No. 518, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $50.00 and not more than the maximum prescribed by the Offence Act.

All authorized personnel and emergency personnel, while acting in the course of their duties, as well as emergency vehicles, are exempt from the provisions of this Bylaw.