Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Parks Canada has plans to invest over $18.8 mil- lion for infrastructure in the Rideau Canal's south- ern sector as part of $39.4 million of new investment for the waterway. In Smiths Falls on Monday Minister of the Environment Leona Aglukkaq, responsible for the Parks Canada Agency, announced $46 million of investment for infrastruc- ture. The funding will take place over five years and includes previously announced projects of $6.6 million at Poona- malie ($4.3M) and the Black Rapids Lock ($2.3M). "Our government rec- ognizes how important cultural heritage is to the economy and the impor- tant role that these historic sites play in supporting our communities," said Aglukkaq. The funding will be addressing an infrastruc- ture deficit which a 2012 Parks Canada National Asset Review recognized as over $100 million for the Rideau Canal. Work has begun or completed on some of the worst rated assets includ- ing the recently completed Chaffey's Lock Swing Bridge ($750K) the par- tially completed three- year project to rehabilitate the Poonamalie Dam ($5.3 M) and the Merrickville Swing Bridge ($775K). New projects in the Rideau Lakes area include work at the Narrows Locks and Jones falls as well as another dam ($2.5 M) and major masonry repairs ($4.5 M)to be undertaken across the sys- tem. "Investing in the Rideau Canal National Historic Site, designated as a UNESCO World Her- itage Site, will support the tourism industry in the region and enhance visitor experience," said Leeds Grenville MP Gord Brown, who has been a champion on Parliament Hill for the canal. It will also be keeping the population from risk. The highest priority is placed on safety to the public, including bridges and dams. The Parks Canada dam on Bob's Lake, the main reservoir lake for the Tay River, will be replaced with a new concrete dam meeting current safety and engineering standards to optimize water manage- ment capabilities. The proposed projects are to be completed over a five-year period and Parks Canada is hiring workers and engineering staff to complete and manage the new maintenance, repair By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror A decision by Rideau Lakes Committee of Adjustment (CoA) to allow development on an undersized lot on the Big Rideau could be appealed to the OMB. The CoA ignored the advice of the Rideau Waterway Review team, planners from Parks Cana- da and the RVCA which described the application as beyond meeting the four tests of a minor vari- ance and precedent set- ting. "While we recognize the status as a lot may be on record, the Official Plan and setback require- ments of the comprehen- sive zoning by-law cannot be met in a meaningful way as it exists," wrote Parks Canada Planner Susan Millar. The file has also drawn Justin Martin President 613-530-0773 RR 2 Westport, ON K0G 1X0 jtmartin@kingston.net 4 Septic Systems 4 Excavating 4 Landscaping 4 Road Work 4 Rock Excavating 4 Trucking 4 Residential & Commercial Snow Plowing & Sanding 4 Damp Proofing LTD. 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net Mirror The Review Thursday, June 4, 2015 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 123, No. 22 $1 incl. tax INSIDE THIS WEEK Westport Rideau Lakes Chamber seeking response from the business community over its future Page 4 Paddling giants in Seeley's Bay this Saturday for Red Canoefest Page 5 Local War of 1812 vets to be honoured this Sunday Page 5 Kingston man killed in Perth Road accident Page 5 Westport Antique Show this weekend Page 5 Hundreds of motorcycles expected in Saturday's annual Ride for Dad Page 6 Over 2,000 cyclists in this weekend's Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour Page 6 CHEO sewing volunteers to mark 50th with open house in Portland Page 7 Group still needs $200,000 for Charleston Lake land purchase Page 7 Plein Air Festival in Westport June 4-6 Page 7 Henderson sisters in Canadian LPGA event this week Page 10 Kids and Cops fishing derby in Seeley's Bay Page 10 RDHS sends two athletes to all-Ontario track and field meet Page 10 Relay for Life June 13 Page 12 •Continued on page 3 Parks commits $46M for Rideau Canal infrastructure Township may face OMB appeal over development approval on 70 ft. lot Mayor defends township decision on undersized lot Ontario Waterways cruise ship, The Kawartha was making its way up the canal from Kingston last week for its last trip to Ottawa and back before heading to the Trent Severn until July when it returns back to the Rideau. •Continued on page 3 Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Reg. $899.00 $ 699 00 "In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus Overlooking Lake, Locks & Falls at Jones Falls, Elgin Exceptional Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 613-359-5500 Reservations Recommended. HOTEL KENNEY Since 1877

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