Richard Froese
South Peace News
A proposal to construct a walking trail in the Spruce Point Park area west of Kinuso has hit a dead end.
At its regular meeting Sept. 25, council received a cost estimate for the Spruce Point for information.
Cost of the project was estimated at $271,000 as quoted by MPE Engineering for a gravel pathway covering 600 m x 1.2m, said Ben Letemplier, director of public works.
The cost does not include First Nations consultation, archaeological investigation, land acquisition or administration time, he noted.
After hearing the update, Grouard Councillor Jeff Chalifoux said the cost of the project is too much.
“With the consultation, investigation and land acquisition, it would cost us a lot more,” Chalifoux noted.
At its regular meeting July 24, council directed administration to explore options to construct the trail.
The pathway was proposed near Spruce Point Park along the west side of Township Rd. 740 near the Spruce Point Park marina to the north side of Range Rd. 104 to the Spruce Point Park Association private lots.
Kinuso Councillor Roberta Hunt added the request as a late item on the agenda after residents of the area requested a pathway.
Now the cost seems unbelievable to her.
“I was shocked when I saw the estimate for a path,” Hunt said.
“It s a lot of money for a gravel path.
“I want the pathway to be there, but not at that cost.”
Faust Councillor Robert Nygaard suggested another option.
“Would it be possible for the County to donate the gravel?” Nygaard asked.
“Could we get volunteers to build it?”
North Gilwood – Triangle Councillor Jim Zabolotniuk offered an idea to mow a pathway beside the road.
“When people walk on it, the grass will stop growing,” Zabolotniuk said.
During open public delegations at council’s regular meeting July 10, residents Martin Vandenburg and Cheryl Vandenburg proposed a walking path. They requested a path to address concerns of pedestrians and cyclists being in danger of speeding vehicles.
Despite the posted signs of a speed limit of 40 km/h, motorists continue to drive over the speed limit, they told council.
They also raised issues about dust control and requested administration ask Faust RCMP for increased police presence in the area.
In the coming weeks, work is planned to construct a walking trail in Enilda, which would be the final hamlet in Big Lakes that would have a trail.
Other trails in Big Lakes County are in Joussard, Grouard, Faust and Kinuso and have been developed over the past decades.