Blind River council approved setting aside $70,000 in preparation for further upgrades at the Lake Matinenda Landing.
The town has regularly been repairing sections of the Lake Matinenda Landing as infrastructure failed. To date this has included a new breakwall as well as several new docks, the town’s director of facilities and community services Karen Bittner said in a report to council at its meeting Monday evening.
“The municipality has funded $425,202 worth of improvements to Lake Matinenda’s Landing over the last four years,” she told Elliot Lake Today of the $70,000 municipal portion of the remaining work. “The infrastructure is failing rapidly, and this strategy will allow us to consolidate the remaining (roughly) $300,000 worth of work into one season. Rather than have our residents fund this project in full, staff require $70,000 as a 25 percent share. Lastly, we will be able to eliminate multi-year construction frustrations, reduce our laundry list of health and safety related concerns, and provide another welcoming environment to tourists.”
The project will include replacement of the sub-standard walkway that links the launch to the marina, all remaining docks nearing end of life, gangways, as well as safety components (life rings and signage), the report stated.
The Lake Matinenda Cottage Association has been asked to contribute $1,500 for the work.
The $70,000 will come from The Future Projects Reserves as the municipality's cash contribution with a grant coming from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.
Mayor Sally Hagman acknowledged the work done by Bittner and staff in securing grants for infrastructure projects that offset the need for more taxpayer money to fund upgrade work. Last week the city received $735,000 in provincial grants to pay for replacement of the roof membrane on the community centre and for improvements to several playgrounds and the tennis and pickleball courts.
“Hats off to our staff who apply for these amazing grants,” the mayor said in her remarks at Monday evening’s council meeting.