Town council has called a special meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. to discuss—and give the public a chance to see—the proposed La Verendrye Parkway riverfront renovation project.
“First, our engineers will be presenting to the La Verendrye Parkway committee at noon that day, at which point the plans will be subject to committee input,” CAO Bill Naturkach said Tuesday.
“After their approval, the consultants then will be able to formally present to council and the public at the 6 p.m. meeting,” he added.
Naturkach noted the presentation will include construction concepts, as well as time schedules, for the $2.4-million project.
Once completed, the parkway will include bicycle paths, a barrier-free walkway, interpretive historical displays, enhancement of local fish habitat, seating areas, and more than 40 boat slips for rent.
“There’ll be an opportunity for the usual Q & A at that point, and council will be asked to formally endorse the project,” said Naturkach.
“But even then, the public will get an opportunity within a 30-day window to comment on the project by contacting us,” he added.
During that window, town administration will be preparing the tenders for release in the next week or so. After about one month, a contract will be awarded.
Naturkach noted work should begin in July and be completed by the fall.
Last month, the town received $1,197,900 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. to complete the La Verendrye Parkway from the Sorting Gap Marina to Victoria Avenue.
