Despite objections from local hotel and restaurant owners, Wawa Municipal Council's approved plans for a temporary work camp on Pinewood Drive.
In a public meeting under the Planning Act Tuesday night, Council heard a request for temporary zoning of the property to allow for a temporary work camp accommodation with trailers to house up to 170 people for three years - with the option for a further three-year extension, subject to Council approval - as mining contractor Sigfusson's hoping to house workers at the site as they work on projects for Alamos Gold outside Dubreuilville.
Noting his own investments in Wawa amid tough times and good times, property owner Trevor Laing touted the camp as a "great thing for the community" - saying there's a major housing shortage and his properties have been full for more than 5 years - adding plans after the work camp closes are to turn it into a bed and breakfast and campsite, resurrect the mini-putt, and add a heated pool open for part of the year.
Alamos Gold Island Gold District General Manager Austin Hemphill explained the mining operation already employs about 1100 people with about 700 contractors, but it's planning to build a power line to support operations - which are expanding - and they're already "pushing" capacity in Dubreuilville, so this camp would allow them to consolidate contractors, making it easier to offer them transportation, food, and other services.
While CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill told Council an Official Plan Amendment would not be needed, Outdoorsman Motel owner Ray Valliant disputed that interpretation, saying the cited part relates to recreational use of resources - he also noted issues with the way notice was given about the proposed camp, suggesting it was not fair nor transparent - then read out a letter signed by multiple hotels, motels, restaurants, and other businesses, warning the camp would not lead to economic benefit for the community - and in fact be a "huge negative" - with concerns raised about the impact on hotels that often temporarily house contractors or restaurants and other businesses that could benefit from the business, though Alamos officials expressed skepticism there was local capacity to meet their needs appropriately - Laing noted issues with hotel capacity for a recent tournament - with Hemphill saying "consistency" has been an issue and they attempted to poll the local businesses but could not get assurances that they could accommodate the needs.
Councillor Jim Hoffmann questioned the reliance on hotels to house contractors, suggesting that could have a negative impact on tourism if rooms are full with workers, while Councillor Mitch Hatfield acknowledged tough times for the hotels, but questioned whether they could meet the needs for food service.
The temporary rezoning was brought to a vote in last night's regular meeting, with Mayor Melanie Pilon saying she "really appreciated everyone coming" - calling it "really courageous" - but emphasized a need to follow the provincial policy statement and "keep economic development in mind" before it was passed in a recorded vote of 3-1: Mayor Melanie Pilon, Councillor Jim Hoffmann, and Councillor Cathy Cannon in favour, Councillor Mitch Hatfield against - Councillor Joe Opato was not in attendance for the meeting.