Thunder Bay council faces questions over drainage ditch plans

The drainage ditches along Golf Links Road were at the centre of debate at Thunder Bay city council’s meeting Monday night.

Some homeowners along the Golf Links Road-Junot Avenue corridor are concerned the city will keep the ditches in place, instead of installing new storm sewers.

Resident Ron Shiomi noted that, when the city approved the four-laning of Golf Links Road and Junot Avenue, the project included underground piping, eliminating the current drainage ditches.

"Why did they say the pipe sewers will allow the retirement of ditches? If their plans changed, why didn't they tell us?"

Shiomi said the city plans to scrap the pipes, for the cheaper option of ditches.

But city engineers said that's not the case. Only a portion of the road expansion will now have a ditch, close to where it meets with the McIntyre River.

They also said the issue is all in the interpretation, and there will still be curbs, gutters and catch basins in place.

That didn’t sit well with Shiomi, whose main concern was that the city was going to keep ditches in place, and have no underground piping.

"If it's no big deal, why didn't they tell us they'll be keeping the ditches while giving us the new four-lane road? We already have ditches. Do we need new ones called swales with catch basins? [It’s] drainage by any other name."

Adapting to a new climate

Superior Morning3:25Thunder Bay Climate Adaptation strategy update

Thunder Bay's Climate Adaptation group is tasked with creating a plan to ensure the city is ready to deal with changing weather. The group has completed its research phase, and is now mapping out how to implement its recommendations. Curniss McGoldrick isThe concern over storm water drainage tied in with a presentation made to council about the city's Climate Adaptation Strategy.

City climate adaptation co-ordinator Curniss McGoldric said the city needs to prepare for changing temperatures and precipitation.

"The summers we will experience in Thunder Bay will feel more like those that are currently felt in Sheboygan and in Benton Harbour,” she said.

“Our winters may feel more like those felt in Marquette and Green Bay."

Council was slated to deal with changes to its sewer and water rates, but that discussion was tabled until next Wednesday.