Parksville’s Sunray stairs have been temporarily closed due to vandalism.
The aluminum staircase, located at the north end of Sunray Road, were built by the City of Parksville to provide safe beach access by replacing a difficult trail to the beach.
Warren Payne, City of Parksville park’s foreman said about five metal supports, about eight-feet in length, were stolen from underneath the staircase.
“Somebody reached through the open stair thread and removed I think five of them, so that made the staircase unstable,” Payne said.
Although unsure of why exactly someone would steal the metal, Payne said it could have been a case of meaningless vandalism or for the metal value.
“I don’t know really of what value [the metal] would be, it seems like a lot of work to go to to get a bit of value out of it so it’s a bit unclear exactly what the motive was,” Payne said.
An alternate route to the beach is available at the foot of Doehle Avenue.
Payne said he’s speaking with the contractor that built the stairs on Aug. 31 and will have a better idea of when construction will be complete and the stairs can be reopened after the meeting.
“I think they are custom pieces for the stairs so I think they’re made in the lower mainland,” Payne said. “It’s a matter of [the contractor] securing an order for that and then getting the installation. I’m hoping it’s a quick turn around but we will have to wait for the contractor and supplier.”