Mayor Brian Bigger has requested city staff remove boulders they placed along Poupore Road West, which were intended to block access to Lake Wanapitei.
A civic petition earlier this summer requested that the city block access to the lake at this location.
“There was a staff response to this, and they actually placed boulders at this launch that’s been used for the last 80 years,” Bigger said.
“People are looking outside and thinking in a couple months or so they’ll be looking to put ice huts out there and there are boulders blocking access to the lake.”
The concern among area residents had to do with parking in the area, he said, adding that this was in spite of “no parking” signs being installed in 2011.
Another civic petition is expected to be presented to city council pushing for the boulders’ removal and for the city to conduct public consultation into the matter. Rather than wait for the next city council meeting in January to deal with this, Bigger said it was best to remove the boulders now.
People aren’t launching boats and it’s much too early for people to be thinking about ice fishing, so there shouldn’t be a parking concern.
This is one of three points of access at Lake Wanapitei, Bigger said, pointing to Tony’s Marina, which is closed in the fall and winter, and Rocky’s Restaurant and Marina, which is a “significant drive away” from Poupore Road West. Further, there’s a massive pressure crack across the centre of the lake that divides it in half, meaning half of the lake would be made inaccessible during the winter months.
Bigger said it’s anticipated that the civic petition comes forward, first to Ward 7 Coun. Mike Jakubo and then to city council as a whole, at which time staff will be given further direction.
“I believe that there is more public consultation that has to happen here,” Bigger said, noting that there are two sides with different concerns that need to be heard.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
