An abandoned well was discovered and safely decommissioned while crews were working on upgrades to a section of downtown Parksville.
The project team found the well in the parking lot between Memorial Avenue and Hirst Avenue West, according to a media release by the City of Parksville.
“After closing the area to all but essential personnel, Knappett Industries carefully excavated the water, historic bottles, and an old pump to find the extents of the dug well,” the release reads. “Serving as the project engineer, McElhanney promptly provided professional direction to safely decommission the well.”
The well is now filled with bentonite clay, capped with concrete and formally registered with the province, according to the city.
Despite surprises like the abandoned well, work on the project is quickly progressing and Hirst Avenue West now has concrete sidewalks, with more landscaping finishes and the final layer of asphalt to follow, the city said.
Concrete works will follow on Memorial Avenue and in the new Memorial Plaza, which will take shape with design details, such as patterned and coloured concrete.
“Please remain patient with crews and traffic control personnel on site as they work towards completion on both downtown streets,” the release said.
