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May 2017 August 20175
Boardwalk Design ( Continued From Previous Page )
that rebuilding ramps in every location did not make sense at that time . First , because of the regulatory requirements previously mentioned , many ramps would need to be excessively large , which would dramatically alter the beach aesthetic , not to mention cost significantly more to build ( ramps cost on average about $ 30,000 more than stairs ). The board knows that Kiawah ’ s beach is one of the community ’ s best assets , and 10 miles of beach with one large boardwalk after another would diminish the beauty we all enjoy . Second , stairs could be installed quickly , restoring beach access before the busy season . Third , if the beach accretes and heals itself as we think and hope it will ( and evidence shows this is already happening ), whatever KICA built following the storm will likely be covered with sand in a few short years , necessitating additional construction and expense .
Once it made the decision not to replace ramps at all locations , it adopted guidelines to provide an objective way to determine where regulatory exceptions should be applied for . One of those guidelines considers the population density near boardwalks ; in areas with a larger than average concentration of KICA members , exceptions would be sought to build boardwalk ramps in these locations . Based on the new density guidelines ,
three such locations were initially identified : Boardwalk 8B at the Sandcastle in West Beach , 22 at Windswept , and 27 at the end of Turtle Beach Lane . Exceptions were applied for and granted , and these boardwalks were rebuilt with ramps at a cost of $ 25,000 - $ 35,000 each . ( Very few insurers cover structures such as boardwalks , and those that do are exorbitant ).
In recent months , key personnel have been working with input from members on accessibility issues including trails , buildings and boardwalks . At the present time , staff is studying the void of ramps between boardwalks 12 and 16 along Eugenia Avenue , where it ’ s slightly more than half a mile between ramps .
KICA understands the inconvenience the lack of ramps can present to those with accessibility issues and families with strollers , wagons and bicycles , and will continue to seek solutions , as the beach continues to change . Member parking for ramped boardwalks is presently available at the Sandcastle and at Ocean Marsh Road ( BW-40 ).
For a complete list of boardwalks , visit kica . us / boardwalks . For questions or comments , contact justask @ kica . us
Sandcastle to Close in October 2017 for Renovations
The May and June issues of Digest reported on early concepts for the renovation of the 21-year-old Sandcastle ( you can view these and other past issues of Digest at kica . us / digest ).
Artist Renderings - Not Final Designs
presentation with Q & A session is available on the KICA YouTube channel ( youtube . com / kiawahisland1976 ). Additional conceptual images can also be viewed at kica . us / sandcastlerenovations .
Through Digest , weekly news blasts and a presentation by Bellow / Garris Architects , member input was requested and has been used to refine plans . Member input is now closed as the project moves to the next phase .
Key components include enhancing the visual connection to the beach , adding a new oceanfront pool , expanding the size of the group fitness studio and improving parking . The full Bello / Garris
The Sandcastle will tentatively close on Oct . 25 , 2017 , with renovations expected to take 9-10 months . Community group meetings will move to the KICA administrative center at 23 Beachwalker , which KICA purchased from the town . Minor interior renovations will be completed after town operations relocate in early August . Staff continues to explore options for the continuation of some level of fitness offerings .