| Hall Street Pier | |
|---|---|
 The pier as it appeared in the YouTube video “The Nelson pier gets a renovation (Full tour)” by Ship Ahoy, filmed prior to the public opening | |
| Location | |
| Location | Nelson, British Columbia[1] |
| Coordinates | 49°29′51″N 117°17′44″W / 49.49761°N 117.29543°W / 49.49761; -117.29543[2] |
| Details | |
| Opened | September 14, 2024 |
| Joins | West Arm of Kootenay Lake[1] |
The Hall Street Pier,[1] sometimes referred to as the Nelson Pier,[3] is a lake pier on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. It was officially opened to the public on September 14, 2024. The pier was designed by Matthew Stanley as a community gathering site that symbolizes the connection between the city and the lake.[1] The pier includes a canopy, swimming area, recreational dock, and a large walking area.[4] The canopy has a hybrid wood- and- steel design, and is intended to produce moiré lighting.[3] The pier originally included the Ladybird speedboat, but it was removed in the August of 2024 due to temperature-control issues in the speedboat's shelter.[5] The Ladybird, powered by a Liberty V-12 aircraft engine, won the 20-mile race of the Kootenay Lake Regatta 8 times.[6]
History
The site was a community gathering site for the Ktunaxa and Sinixt First Nations.
In 1892, a dock for paddle-steamers was built.[1] The Nelson Rowing Club was founded as the Nelson Boat Club in 1896, after which rowing regattas were held on the lake. The Kootenay Launch Club was founded in 1903, and held an annual motorboat regatta untill the 1950s.
The dock was destroyed by underwater dynamite in 1947, and the SS Moyie sailed its last voyage in 1957. A 216-foot long wharf was built in 1986.[7]
In 2020, it was announced that a new pier would be built to replace the deteriorating 1986 wharf as an economic stimulus project after the COVID-19 recession.[1] A $1,000,000 grant for the pier's construction was given by the B.C. government as part of the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program. A $500,000 CAD grant was given by the Columbia Basin Trust.[8] The new pier was officially opened to the public on September 14, 2024.[1] The opening ceremony included a speech by mayor Janice Morrison.[7] It was designed by Matthew Stanley as a community gathering site that symbolizes the connection between the city and the lake.[1]
In 2023, the pier was awarded a Canadian Architect award of excellence.[3] In 2025, it won a AZ Award in Urban Design Interventions and Infrastructure.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, T. (2024, September 16). Four years after it was announced, nelson's hall street pier finally opens. Nelson Star. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.nelsonstar.com/local-news/four-years-after-it-was-announced-nelsons-hall-street-pier-finally-opens-7537940.
- ^ "City Dock". Google Maps. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Nelson Pier". Canadian Architect. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ Nelson Star Staff. (2022, May 18). City of nelson begins demolition of hall street pier. Nelson Star. Retrieved May 7, 2025, from https://www.nelsonstar.com/news/city-of-nelson-begins-demolition-of-hall-street-pier-4902864.
- ^ Metcalfe, B. (2025, March 10). Ladybird shelter at nelson pier remains empty. Nelson Star. Retrieved May 7, 2025, from https://www.nelsonstar.com/local-news/ladybird-shelter-at-nelson-pier-remains-empty-7863736.
- ^ Metcalfe, B. (2021a, February 22). Nelson council ponders displaying historic speedboat at hall street pier. Nelson Star. Retrieved May 7, 2025, from https://www.nelsonstar.com/news/nelson-council-ponders-displaying-historic-speedboat-at-hall-street-pier-4890044.
- ^ a b Brown, Kate. "Official opening of Nelson's Pier on Hall Street". MyNelsonNow. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ^ Metcalfe, B. (2021, February 26). Nelson receives $1m grant for hall st. pier project. Nelson Star. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.nelsonstar.com/news/nelson-receives-1m-grant-for-hall-st-pier-project-4890185.
- ^ "Hall Street Pier". AZ Awards 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
