COBDEN — Location signs will be erected at six boat launches in Whitewater Region township.
At last week’s recreation committee meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons noted people new to the area may not know what body of water they on. Also, she noted, if there was need for an emergency vehicle, there are no civic addresses to advise of the location.
“We need to remedy this,” she said. “It’s important to tourism to identify where people are.”
It was agreed to install signs at boat launches at Acres Road, Garden Lake, Ottawa River in La Passe and Westmeath and Muskrat Lake.
While there is a boat launch Cornerview, and the township put gravel there to clean it up a bit, it’s not as well known, said public works manager Bill Misener.
He also suggested there be two signs erected for the Acres Road boat launch, noting if people don’t know about it, they won’t be able to find it.
While Councillor Chris Olmstead also suggested this be done for Garden Lake, it was cautioned that with all the trouble there from campers and rowdiness, one sign may be best.
As for the signs in La Passe, Cobden and Westmeath, Reeve Terry Millar said people will know what town they are in, so putting the body of water in larger letters would be better.
“That’s a good point,” CAO FitzSimons said. “You know you are in La Passe, you just might not know you are on the Ottawa River.”
A letter from the Civitan club asking permission to erect an amphitheater and a children’s playground structure was also discussed at this meeting.
With no details regarding the amphitheater, the committee agreed to recommend council allow it in principle, which means before anything can be done, more information must be provided to council for approval.
As for the playground structure, Councillor Chris Olmstead said that’s a different matter and would have to be a separate issue.
It’s important the Civitan Club members speak with environmental services manager Steve Hodson about the playground structure, said Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons.
Following the committee meeting, a council meeting was held and council agreed to both recommendations.
