Capitola Wharf grand opening delayed until September

CAPITOLA — Those looking to celebrate the recovery of one of Capitola’s most prized possessions will have to wait a little longer.

The city announced Wednesday that its planned Wharf Grand Opening event, originally set for Aug. 14, has been rescheduled for a yet-to-be-determined date in September.

Chloé Woodmansee, an assistant to the city manager, wrote in an email to the Sentinel Wednesday that while repair and infrastructure work is still on pace to be finished in June, additional facility-based items such as new benches, trashcans, donor art and an upgraded entry gate are likely not to arrive or be fully installed by the original August celebration date.

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“Once we have confirmation of certain shipments and installations, we can confirm the event date,” wrote Woodmansee. “The City thought it best to hold the formal celebration once everything that will make the Wharf special for years to come has arrived and been installed for the public to enjoy.”

Woodmansee clarified that the city’s goal is still to have the wharf open to the public before August, though it may need to close during certain periods to finish various installations.

In advance of the grand relaunch, city planners have also been pursuing temporary use permits that will allow food, live music and other entertainment to be available to the public whenever the much-anticipated event occurs.