If you've ever wondered how those big piles of sulphur in Burrard Inlet get loaded from shore to ship, this weekend's open house at Pacific Coast Terminals (PCT) will answer your questions, and many more.
The Saturday event, coinciding with the annual Golden Spike Days festivities in Rocky Point Park, will give the public a chance to see PCT's operations up close, find out more about their canola oil expansion plans - and to enjoy a hot dog barbecue, kids' activities and live entertainment to top it off.
"We have our open houses once every three years," said Diana Dilworth, PCT's community relations co-ordinator. "It's an opportunity for people to see first hand the rotary dumper and if we have a ship in - and it's very possible that we may - you can see sulphur being loaded on the ship, and we'll have the falcon out that chases birds off the site."
It will also be an opportunity for people to find out more about PCT's plans to expand their operations to include the handling of canola oil.
Dilworth said PCT is "very optimistic" that a finalized agreement with the canola oil supplier will be signed within a matter of weeks, setting in motion plans to build three new storage tanks and modify the liquid conveyor system that would transport canola oil from the berth out to the vessels.
It's expected PCT would begin handling the product sometime next year.
Plans to expand operations to also include potash handling are moving slower than expected, although Dilworth noted PCT will be applying to Port Metro Vancouver for permits to dredge Burrard Inlet.
"The dredging that will be required is to deepen the channel for the larger vessels to come in to handle the potash," Dilworth said. The permit application will trigger a round of public consultations, with dredging potentially starting by the end of 2013.
The PCT open house runs Saturday, June 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with access via shuttle buses leaving from the Rocky Point Park parking lot. Events include walking tours, exploring a CP train, children's entertainment and live music by Six Souljers. Visit www.pct.ca for more details.
