By Mark Squibb
November 3, 2023 Edition
The Town of Witless Bay has applied to the provincial government for over a million dollars in funding to help address flooding concerns at the town’s recreation complex off Southside Track Road.
The complex consists of a playground, sports field, dog park and outside swimming pool.
Council unanimously approved a request, moved by Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and seconded by councillor Alan Richards, to apply for cost shared funding in the amount of $1.1 million for recreation complex upgrades through an email poll of council conducted on September 27.
Council ratified that decision during last week’s public meeting.
Town CAO Jennifer Aspell suggested council elaborate on what the application was for, and councillor Jacob Hayden explained the monies will be used to mitigate flooding in the area.
“Municipal Capital Works is our best bet and gives us the best bang for our buck,” said Hayden.
The project is cost shared at a 90/10 ratio as it falls under the category of ‘water, wastewater, and disaster mitigation.’
The Town’s 10 cent share comes to $117,484.
Costs above and beyond the approved project cost will be the full responsibility of Witless Bay.
That vote to ratify the email vote passed unanimously.
Besides addressing flooding concerns, council tackled other issues pertaining to the recreation complex in recent months.
This September, council received approval from the Gas Tax Secretariat to fund an accessibility upgrade to both the swimming pool and parking area, which will include the installation of a ramp in the swimming pool and paved accessible parking in the parking lot.
Council this September also awarded a contract for site work and fence installation for a new dog park to the lowest compliant bidder, Harbour Construction, at a cost of $12,840, plus HST.
The former dog park was located in the same general area but could only be accessed by trespassing over private property.
