Review-Mirror

The European boat rental company Le Boat is busy laying the ground- work for the launch of a 16-cruiser fleet to be oper- ating out of Smiths Falls next year. The company has iden- tified Perth, Portland, Westport and Seeley's Bay as destinations along the fleet's itinerary. Municipalities with docking facilities on the route have been asked to offer a corporate rate for the fleet, to allow individ- ual boaters to use the facil- ities with the dockage fee included in their rental. The company has also negotiated a corporate fee of $9.80 per foot for moor- ing at Parks Canada facili- ties. A proposal created by the CAOs of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, Perth, Rideau Lakes and West- port would create a corpo- rate pass of $2.50 per foot times eight 38-foot boats and eight 45-foot boats for a total revenue per munic- ipality of $1,660. The fee would not include water or hydro which could be charged separately by each munici- pality. The fleet of 16 cruisers is anticipated to increase to 32 boats over the next five years. Operations and mainte- nance will be from a new centre in Smiths Falls, part of a $16 million invest- ments which promises to create 10 jobs. The investment by the company was pursued by Ontario's Ministry of Tourism which saw an opportunity to increase economic opportunities along the Rideau with a new offering. Le Boat's visitors are anticipated to drop more money into the economy than the average boater. The estimated spend by boat per day from a 2011 study; adjusted to inflation would be $319. The new guests' spend- ing is estimated to be $824 per boat per day based on spending in other destina- tions. Monday night, West- port council's committee of the whole recommend- ed adopting the proposal at a future council meeting. Thursday, March 23, 2017 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 126, No. 11 $1 incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 These four cousins were enjoying Friday's St. Patrick's Day parade in Westport, from left to right Alexander Pur- don, Emelia Crawford and Johnathan Crawford with Daniel Purdon in the back, and proud grandma Trish Irwin in the reflection of the window. 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 European boat company laying groundwork for 2018 launch Mirror The Review Lanark County had more than 25 per cent of the shoulders on their county roads paved as of the end of 2016, with a goal of 100 per cent by the end of 2025. At the end of 2016, the county had 146 kilometres or about 27 per cent of their shoulders paved as part of road resurfacing or rehabilitation projects to be completed in 2017. With the completion of debt repayment in 2017 work could begin in 2018 to complete shoulder paving on other roads that are not within the five- year road resurfacing pro- gram reported Public Works director Terry McCann to county coun- cil. The idea of paved shoulders across the coun- ty was approved in princi- ple in 2013. Roads to be selected for the shoulder paving would be chosen by taking conti- nuity into consideration. The report to Lanark County Council indicated roads will be selected tak- ing continuity into consid- eration, which is expected to result in about 310 km, or just over half of the entire system, completed by the end of 2020. The public works department aims to com- plete the entire program during the 2025 construc- tion season. The report notes upfront costs to pave shoulders are high, but benefits are already being seen. Of note, plowing is easier in winter and wing edges on plows are lasting longer; safety is increased year-round for cars, cyclists and pedestrians; and shoulder grading and gravel application needs are reduced. The program is in con- trast with Leeds Grenville where a 50-50 cost sharing offer to municipalities has- n't got off the ground. The counties has not been able to invest enough in infrastructure to even keep up with the resurfac- ing and rebuilding of existing roads without the expense of the improved shoulders. Drivers heading to Lanark County via Cty. Rd 36 and Cty Rd 10 north of Westport can attest to the lack of investment on the counties' northern frontier. A six kilometer stretch of Cty. Rd. 36 which was scheduled to be resurfaced this year was postponed to next year pending an influx of infrastructure money to cover it. Last month Leeds and the Thousand Islands councilors voted against a motion by Councilor John Paul Jackson Monday ask- ing the United Counties County for 50 per cent funding for that paved shoulder initiative. Jackson noted the potential opportunity of having shoulders paved as part of a Cty. Rd. 3 improvement project this year, in part, to promote cycling and trails. •Continued on page 3 Rideau Lakes Building Centre YOUR TRUSTED BUILDING SUPPLY PARTNER 7719 Hwy. 42, Crosby 613-272-0209 www.RideauLakesBuildingCentre.com Special Offer Ambiance 100% Hardwood Pellets $ 5. 69 per bag when purchasing a skid of 75. *Delivery available Paved shoulders - a tale of two counties Rideau Medical Centre 2 John St., Newboro Dr. Ian Shiozaki Now Accepting New Patients (No controlled medications) 613-272-2500 Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available LAUNDRY SAVINGS Front Load Washer •4.3 cu. ft. •Luxecare™ Wash •20 min. 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