Thunder Bay residents weigh in on Boulevard Lake dam project
Matt Prokopchuk | CBC News | Posted: June 15, 2016 10:49 AM | Last Updated: June 15, 2016
Tuesday's open house part of requirements for more stringent environmental assessment
City officials in Thunder Bay hope the second time's the charm to get an environmental assessment approved in order to do necessary work on the concrete dam at Boulevard Lake.
The century-old structure across the Current River has had minimal maintenance done on it over the past 40 years, and now it needs work, said project engineer Mike Vogrig.
"The concrete's severely deteriorated, so we want to fix the concrete .... so that's number one," he said, adding that there are also operational issues. "What we would potentially be looking at is maybe putting in some sort of mechanical gate system where it's easier to regulate the lake levels."
In addition, Vogrig said the dam needs more reinforcements inside the structure to bring it up to provincial code.
Efforts to get the dam fixed date back to 2008. The city submitted an environmental assessment file in 2015, but given the project's scope, one-time projected cost, as well as concerns raised by two residents to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, it was deemed insufficient by the ministry.
A more stringent assessment is now underway, Vogrig said, which includes getting feedback from city residents.
Open house draws about 40 people
A Tuesday evening open house at the Current River Community Centre was one way residents could give that feedback. At the forum, some residents — and one city councillor — spoke about some frustrations.
" I just want to see what they've got planned, and how they're going to fund it, and even more importantly, have they done all the ministry checks to get approvals for any of this," said Patricia Lambert.
"I've enjoyed the lake with my kids, I'd like to see future children have the same opportunity," said Armand Colosimo, adding that the current condition of the dam worries him.
Current River ward Coun. Andrew Foulds, who also attended the open house to speak to citizens and give his own feedback, said it's frustrating that the project is not yet done, but he's encouraged by what he's seeing.
"We've got stakeholders involved, having their input, we're going to have a comprehensive plan, we're going to fund it properly, and we're going to move forward."
Another open house is slated for sometime in the fall, 2016; residents can also give feedback through the city's website.
Chance to improve a 'gem'
In addition to its role in the Current River waterway, the dam is also a vital link that completes a pedestrian loop around the lake, with a narrow footpath on the top of the structure.
At Tuesday's open house, some residents also expressed their desire to see that walkway improved.
"The one part is rather narrow and it gets difficult when you have people with the double-wide strollers or bicycles, or even people with dogs," Patricia Lambert said. "If it was a little bit wider, it would be a little more user-friendly.
Lambert added that any improvements have to ensure the park remains user-friendly.
"This is a gem," she said. "If we can't keep it open for people to use it, then we've wasted it."