The future of Wawa's Vallee Park remains uncertain - but work to resolve that is continuing.
Wawa Municipal Council received a delegation from Mary Harbocian in their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, with Harbocian explaining that - as a member and founder of "Friends of the Park" - she's seen a number of people donate or offer material and time to build a bridge in the park, noting the area is well used - including by local schools - so she was calling for Council to add a new Vallee Park Bridge to next year's Capital Budget.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson noted the bridge is included as a "subject to funding" item in the Capital Budget presented in September - which has not been finalized by Council - noting a variety of issues that need to be resolved for Vallee Park, including property lines, the trail, insurance, and liability - he further noted discussions with the Voyageur Trail Association, suggesting if it can come on board and take responsibility for the trail, that would address most of the issues, further noting possible funding from the Trans Canada Trail could help address other issues with the trail or park, but recommended keeping the bridge as a "subject to funding" item until the issues are resolved.
Mayor Melanie Pilon - who noted she invited Harbocian as she personally finds Vallee Park important - pointed to evidence of "significant" community backing - including several people in the gallery and other shows of support - but called any decision a "political" not "financial" decision - Councillors Cathy Cannon and Mitch Hatfield both noted a want for more information from Patterson, including about liability - emphasizing they aren't saying "no" - with Patterson promising a report, expected in December or January, so a decision could potentially be made in January - he also noted that work's been underway in the background for years, but this will now be treated as a priority.