By Mark Squibb/November 25, 2022
The Town of Bay Bulls is requesting provincial government funding to complete upgrades to the Long Pond Walking Trail.
During the November 17 public meeting, council voted to ratify an e-mail vote of October 27 to request Municipal Capital Works funding to finish the remaining 1.5 kilometres of the trail.
The cost is estimated at $464,388, plus tax. If the funding is approved, the provincial government would cover 60 percent of it. Any costs above and beyond the quoted price will be the sole responsibility of the Town.
All five members of council were in favour of approving the application.
Should the funding request not be approved however, council has a backup plan.
“We have also recently received approval that, in the event that we are not successful with this funding, that we can use Gas Tax funds to complete a section of the remaining portion of the this trail,” said Town CAO Jennifer Aspell.
The work has been a long time in the making.
Work on the trail’s design, which will include both compacted granular sections and boardwalk, began in 2020. The design for Phase II was approved by the former council back in February 2021.
Provincial Municipal Capital Works funding to the tune of $475,444 (less HST), was approved for Phase I of the project.
