TEMAGAMI – Temagami’s 50-foot canoe project has been given the green light by council to be completed at the arena.
Working group member Dave Wilfong approached council at its regular meeting March 4 and asked council for permission to use the arena from April 1 to October 1.
The purpose of the project is to give the town a landmark that would also be the world’s largest cedar canvas canoe.
Deputy Mayor Cathy Dwyer gave notice at the meeting of the intent to bring a motion forward that was designed to provide use of the arena from April 1 to October 1.
The arena is also being used as a temporary vaccination delivery location by the Timiskaming Health Unit, which held a clinic there on March 31.
Wilfong gave council the understanding during his update March 4 that the canoe can be easily moved out of the way on vaccination days, although there would be no work on the canoe project at that time.
Another concern was raised about the amount of dust that may be created with the project, but council could request that dust suppression and containment measures be taken when necessary during the project.
Normally a $500 rental fee is in place for using the arena floor when the ice is gone, but it will be waived for the canoe group because it’s a volunteer-run community project.
Council approved a motion at their March 25 meeting to allow the project to use the arena from April 1 to September 30 and that the normal rental fees be waived.
“I’m looking forward to getting our canoe built,” commented Mayor Dan O’Mara.
Jamie Mountain is a Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter with the Temiskaming Speaker. LJI is funded by the Government of Canada.
