Sandwich Town pier overlooking Detroit River to open this spring

The new pier in Windsor’s west end is set to open in the spring, looking at both the Ambassador and Gordie Howe International Bridge.

A new pier nestled between Windsor’s two international bridge border crossings is set to officially open this spring.

Extended over the Detroit River, the Queen’s Dock Cultural Pier is in the final stages, according to Stephen Hargreaves, the coordinator for the Sandwich Town BIA.

Located at the bottom of Mill Street, the community space is intended to provide better access to the riverfront in Sandwich Town.

“I think in Sandwich Town in general we kind of forget we have access to the waterfront as much as we do,” Hargreaves said on Sunday afternoon.

Due to inconsistent weather, Hargreaves said they are waiting for concrete to be poured and the final landscaping touches to be finished.

Spearheaded by Port Windsor, the $2.5 million project received about $980,000 through the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan, with the remaining costs covered by businesses.

Hargreaves noted there have been questions from the public about the publicly funded portion of the pier.

“So often federal tax dollars are not spent in Windsor and Windsor-Essex, so this is an opportunity for us to seize on federal tax money and get to enjoy it for years and years to come in a public area completely open to everyone,” he said, standing on the foot of the pier.

Designed to open roughly around the same time frame as the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which doesn’t have an official opening day yet, the pier provides a view of Windsor’s two prominent bridges.

“This gives you the opportunity to explore the waterfront, but also have a perfect panoramic view of the 97-year-old Ambassador Bridge and the brand new Gordie Howe International Bridge,” he added.

Completion of the pier will include signage explaining the history and impact of First Nations communities in the Windsor-Essex region.

Once it’s completed, Hargreaves said they’re planning to hold a musical event at the dock this summer.