Demolition day for old Boblo Dock

Demolition has begun for the old Boblo Dock in Amherstburg.

Thursday was demolition day for the old Boblo dock in Amherstburg.

The Front Road dock is owned by the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. However, it has fallen into disrepair over the last three decades and was at risk of collapsing into the river.

The dock was last in service in 1993. It was once a landing point for ferries carrying passengers to and from the Boblo Island Amusement Park.

The dock remains one of the last remnants and reminders of the park’s heyday, which was a beloved by residents and visitors for more than 100 years.

The town of Amherstburg officially requested the federal government to tear it down in 2016 because of its deteriorating condition and the subsequent safety hazard it posed to boaters.

Amherstburg’s mayor Michael Prue is happy that the demolition is finally underway.

“We had to deal with the federal government, and it took more than two years, three years to finally convince them to find the money, to take it down because it’s unsafe,” said Prue.

“I think everything will be much better. Kids won’t be in danger from climbing all over it. Boats won’t run into it at night because it’s not lit. If there was an ice jam, it could be flowed down the river which wasn’t safe.”