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Kenora residents are letting it known that they don’t want to see the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre’s boat launches close down this summer, due to a proposed expansion of the parking lot area.
Many residents have taken to social media to voice their opinions on the project after the city’s Director of Engineering and Infrastructure, Greg Breen, explained the boat ramps could close down between July and September due to the work – putting pressure on other launches across the city.
However, the Rec Centre’s parking lot project has been in the works since 2021 after getting approved by Kenora’s previous Council and has already received funding from the province, but work was supposed to start last summer.
Kenora Council officially approved the $1.6 million project in December, 2021 – which includes plans for an additional 140 parking spots, a brand new boat launch and a multi-season waterfront trail. Ontario provided half of the costs, while the city’s on the hook for the other half.
Kenora’s current Council isn’t expected to make its decision to move forward with the work or not until their May 17 Council meeting at City Hall.
During Kenora’s Committee of the Whole meeting this week, Mayor Andrew Poirier and Councillor Barb Manson both shared concerns about the closure due to its potential impacts on large events like the Kenora Bass International, as well as the impact on visitors and tourists during the summer months.
The proposed paving work at the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre is also the reason why Select Shows was forced to skip Kenora for its fair this summer.