New boardwalk closes for repairs

Portions of the La Conner boardwalk were closed last weekend and will likely be closed for the next week or two because the town must replace the decking material.

The town blocked access to the sections of boardwalk in front of Nell Thorn Restaurant and in front of the old Palmer’s restaurant building because the composite decking material installed last winter was found to be faulty.

La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes said that the material could develop cracks. The two spots that are closed have been deemed the most troublesome.

The manufacturer is refunding the price of the defective material, and the town has ordered a stronger replacement from another manufacturer.

Until the replacement material arrives, the boardwalk will remain closed on the weekends, because the Public Works Department is only on duty during the week, said Town Administrator John Doyle.

Doyle doesn’t believe that the boardwalk closures affected tourism at all.

Guy Vallee, who owns the Waterfront Café, which sits on the boardwalk next to Nell Thorn, said that he didn’t notice a difference in traffic. “I have no complaints,” said Vallee. “It is what it is.”