Down at The Boardwalk

COEUR d’ALENE — Since it opened in 1985, The Boardwalk has had a lot of visitors. Try an estimated 40 million.

Come spring and continuing well into fall, they’ll be walking around the structure that covers nearly three-fourths of a mile and offers views of Lake Coeur d’Alene, Tubbs Hill and distant mountains.

All that foot traffic has taken a toll on the floating wooden structure that fronts The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Several years ago, the eastside entrance to The Boardwalk was replaced with steel railings and walkway. Now, the sloping, wooden west entrance is in for the same treatment.

“The structure is worn out,” said John Barlow, consultant for The Hagadone Corp. “It’s time to put in a new ramp.”

The project is considered a “major investment” and is slated to begin soon. The west entrance has been closed and won’t reopen until work is completed, which is projected for mid-April.

The project's progress will be affected by the elevation of Lake Coeur d’Alene, which was 2,121.93 feet Thursday morning, its natural winter level. That’s about 6 feet below normal maximum summer level.

Avista expects the lake elevation to stay about the same over the next few days, then increase due to precipitation.

“Part of it depends on the depth of the water,” Barlow said.

Hagadone Marine Group notified the city of the project recently as part of their Planned United Development agreement.

“It is with great excitement to share with you that Hagadone Marine Group has made the decision to continue investing in improvements of our facilities for the benefit of the public and our community to enjoy,” wrote Craig Brosenne, president of Hagadone Marine.

That gives the city a heads up, as the public may soon begin inquiring why The Boardwalk is closed — which they mostly likely will, especially as the weather warms up.

The east entrance to The Boardwalk remains open. People can walk around as far as the bridge before being required to turn back.

The new ramp and railings will extend about 100 feet from the seawall to The Boardwalk.

When it’s reopened, people will see it was worth the wait.

“This is an exciting time for both our company as well as our surrounding communities,” Brosenne wrote.

Barlow said when The Boardwalk opened 36 years ago, a people counter was put in place by the east entrance ramp. Every year, it was reset.

“It’s never had less than a million people in a year,” Barlow said.

The change will make for a smoother west entry point. The decline as the ramp connects land to Boardwalk will be reduced.

“We won’t have that anymore,” Barlow said.

The project involves a mix of local companies, including Nelson Fabrication and Repair in Hayden and Murphy Marine Construction in Coeur d’Alene.