Town council received an update on where the Ranta Park boat ramp project is during its most recent meeting.
The boat ramp issue was raised by Councillor Molly Allaire. Allaire asked where administration was on that issue and what stage of the planning process the project is at.
Director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon reminded town council the boat ramp was part of the discussions at the “parks summit” held at the Libro Centre several months ago.
“We received several responses from the community regarding feedback on the boat ramp,” Baillargeon stated. “We are rolling this into our public master plan and its public consultation.”Baillargeon said there will be surveys coming out and more public consultation for the development of Ranta Park.
Allaire wanted to know if there were any timelines for that public consultation.
“We’re working with the consultants right now and we’re hoping to have some surveys out shortly,” said Baillargeon. “We’re working with our user groups for consultations across the board for a community sport outreach right now. So, there’s a series of consultations we’re working through.”The next big parks summit consultation is proposed for April 2025, Baillargeon added.
Councillor Peter Courtney said he thought money bequeathed to the town was earmarked for studies on the matter, with Baillargeon stating archeological studies have been completed. Soil sampling and depth samples along the shoreline have been completed, with consultants being engaged to try and gather costs.
Town council voted 6-1 to go ahead with a boat ramp at Ranta Park this past April following a delegation from the AMA Sportsmen Association.
The town approved a $1.6 million option for a ramp at the end of the park. The motion called for public consultation to begin and that administration investigate possible funding sources.
Boaters have pressed for public access to the water for several years.
Town council gets update on possible Ranta Park boat ramp
By Ron Giofu
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