Duane Hicks
The Town of Fort Frances will repair the south beach retaining wall at Pither’s Point this summer as soil subsidence has created a tripping hazard.
In a report from Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown received by council Monday night, he noted the wall was last repaired in 2002 after major flooding here.
But then last summer, “wave action from Rainy Lake” damaged the retaining wall again.
Six areas were blocked off with snow fencing to protect the public from the tripping hazards due to the loss of soil behind the wall.
Brown said 60-70 percent of the 626-foot long retaining wall will have to be repaired.
“Basically, the soil behind the wall will have to be removed in order to replace broken wooden planks, add in additional wooden planks, and install longer pieces of geotextile material to a greater depth,” he explained.
“Once this work is completed, the damage-excavated area behind the structure will have to be back-filled, landscaped, and re-sodded.
“Also, sand material will have to be hauled and placed to rebuild the beach area,” Brown added.
Town crews will complete the repairs this summer at an estimated cost of $29,122.04.
“We want to eliminate the tripping hazard by filling it in, repairing some portions of the retaining wall so we don’t lose the soil in the future, and try to get some grass growing out there so people can use the park this year,” Brown remarked.
The recommendation to council to approve the repair of the retaining wall was made by the Operations and Facilities executive committee.
