There were a number of reasons why the old Center Lake pier was removed, according to Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Larry Plummer.
Plummer spoke on the topic at the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board's meeting on Tuesday.
He noted Milestone Contractors LP finished taking out the pier last week.
"They did the concrete work on the sidewalks that they damaged going in and out, so they've got that replaced, and they got the grass restoration done, at least it's planted. It's not growing yet," said Plummer.
"During the process, Milestone encountered some challenges," he said. "Particularly on the deep end, they said when they were out there, that the structure of the pier, the way it was, it was deteriorating. The walls started collapsing out, but they retained that, and once they got about halfway in, the system went pretty quick and they got everything.
"They had divers making sure that everything was out of the lake and got it buttoned up," said Plummer.
He noted the project was funded through Warsaw Public Works and the Redevelopment Commission at a cost of $397,838.
Plummer then went into reasons why the pier was taken out, including "structural damage of course and safety concerns."
"I don't know if you remember, but in 2008, we had a winter flood," he said. "We had to sandbag around the pavilion and then the water got so high and it froze and it was 2 feet above the pier. That's when you noticed the wave in the pier, some of the structural damage had been done, but it took years to show, and so it was safety concerns about that."
Plummer said the pier was also removed was due to "the diving board and water depth."
"After the modifications to the dam on the lake, it lowered the lake level about a foot, and it wasn't safe," he said. "We didn't have the depth of the water to have a diving board, so that was another area."
Plummer said the pier's removal allows for better "separation of the fishing and swimming areas."
"We had one incident where our lifeguard got hooked with a fisherman's hook," he said. "We've had numerous hooks in our ropes over the years, so it's good to have that separation."
Plummer said the pier being taken out also is helping with "water quality."
He noted a study found past E. coli problems in the lake were caused by water not being allowed "to flow through the pier" due to its structure.
Plummer noted he himself enjoyed using the pier in his youth.
"I hated to see it go, but it was just time," he said.
Plummer said the city hoped to get funding to put a new pier by where the old pumphouse was. It would be a permanent pier for fishing and boats to dock off of.
"It's just a matter of fundraising," he said.
In response to a question from Board President Steve Haines, Plummer said that pier is estimated at $350,000.
"The reason it's more expensive is it's longer (and) it's wider," he said.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Plummer plans are to complete 380 feet of sidewalk around the west side of the circle at Central Park after Aug. 1.
• Heard from Plummer new flooring should be put in the Firemen's Building at Pike Lake from April 28 to March 9.
• Approved allowing Warsaw Community Schools to offer free school lunches during the summer at Bixler Park. The meals should run from June 2 to July 25, aside from the week of June 30 to July 4. Those 18 and younger may get free food, and kids don't have to attend WCS to get the meals. WCS Food and Nutrition Services Assistant Director Shannon Dellinger said 4,671 meals were served there last year.
• Heard from Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer the bands playing the free rock and country concerts at Glover Pavilion in Central Park during the summer will be announced on local radio stations on April 1.
• Heard Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department administrative assistant Suzanne Stokes was named the team member of the month for February.
• The board's next meeting is 5:15 p.m. April 15 at Warsaw City Hall.