Pier Damage Two Decades Later

Surfers remember Dec. 13, 1995, as “Big Wednesday” the day waves tore the end off the Ventura Pier. Waves washed away more than 400 feet of the pier and an expensive statue.

Two decades later big waves damaged the pier on Friday, Dec. 11. Four pilings broke away during high surf.

There have been other damaging storms over the years. The pier used to be one of the longest all wooden piers, but metal reinforcements changed that.

Community leaders created the nonprofit ” Pier into the Future” to maintain the pier.
Annual events, such as Pier Under the Stars, have helped raised about half a million dollars for repairs.

Now costly repairs are needed again.

Ventura public works crews plan to keep the pier closed until sagging sections can be stabilized.