It's been one year since a windstorm blew a hole in White Rock's historic pier

It's been one year since a powerful windstorm partly destroyed the 105-year-oldpier in White Rock, B.C.,and the city'smayor says the community hasmostly rebounded fromthe pier'seight-month closure.

The pier opened in 1914 andisthe longest of its kind in Canada, extending 470metres from shore.

On Dec. 20, 2018, 90 km/h winds ripped boats from their moorings and sent them crashing into the pier. A middle section of the pier collapsed, leaving a 30-metre gap, and part of the promenade was littered with debris.

A 42-year-old man was caught on the far end of the pier and had to be rescued by a Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter.

Watch the man being airlifted from the pier:

Helicopter rescue on damaged White Rock pier

6 years ago

Duration 0:47

A person was airlifted to safety after getting stranded on a pier broken in two by a powerful storm.

BC Hydro called it one of the most severestorms in its history. "It was a major catastrophe and disaster," White Rock Mayor Darryl Walker said one year later.

At the time, local businesses worried they would lose foot traffic and suffer financially.

"We didn't know what was going to happen when the pier collapsed," said Andrew Newman, owner of White Rock Sea Tours.

Newman had to move his boatsfrom the damaged pier toCrescent Beach Marina, about nine kilometres away. The move actually helped he's kept his new successful location but still advertises at the pier, drawing business from two spots.

"We've got the best of both worlds," he said.

The pier underwent $4.3 million in repairs, supportedbyinsurance, city reserves, provincial grants and fundraising. It reopened in late August and an official ceremony was held in September.

Walker says most local businesses are doing better now.But he wants them to report back to him about the difference in revenue between the first and second half of 2019.

The pierstill needs further repairs and upgrades, includingreplacing aging planks that remain intact. The total cost is pegged at $16.2 million; about $11 million is still needed.

Walker says people and businesses from White Rock and the community of South Surrey have stepped up to donate funds.

That includesFriends of the Pier, a community group that's trying to raise $2 million.

The group is selling individual wood planks for the pierat an inflated price of $1,000 each. Each plank will include the name of the donor and will last about five to seven years.