A structure that replicates a part of the Royal City's history is now in place at Westminster Pier Park.

A structure that will represent the historic Lytton Square will be the centrepiece of Westminster Pier Park. The structure, which was pre-built at a factory, is now being constructed at the waterfront site.

"Lytton Square was the original public market on Front Street," said Jim Lowrie, the city's director of engineering. "The original public market opened in 1892. It was destroyed by fire."

Lowrie said Lytton Square played a significant role in New Westminster's early years.

"In that period of time, that part of town was the commercial hub," he said. "It was the city's first public market."

The structure being erected in Westminster Pier Park will represent that original Lytton Square.

"It's an open-frame structure," Lowrie said. "It is built on top of and wraps around the concession."

The Lytton Square building is meant to provide a gathering space at Westminster Pier Park.

"It will be partly covered," Lowrie said. "There is a glass canopy on top. It is a gathering spot to look out at the river."

The City of New Westminster purchased the waterfront site in March 2009 for $8 million. The city, province and federal governments each contributed $8.3 million toward construction of the park, which must be done by March 2012 in order to comply with federal grant requirements.

"They are working quite diligently," Lowrie said.

Work now taking place at the site includes installation of concrete pathways and the wooden boardwalk, as well as landscaping. It's expected the park will be substantially complete by February and open to the public in March.

Westminster Pier Park will be located on the waterfront between Sixth and Elliott streets. It will include a 600-metre boardwalk that connects to the existing Quayside esplanade, pathways, a large gathering space, a concession stand, grassy areas, lookout points and bridges that provide views of the water, an elevated viewing area where people can see the Fraser River, children's playgrounds and a building near the foot of Sixth Street.

tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com