Accessibility and Access Keys [0]
MATTAWA – Dwight Eastman, a councillor with the city of Ottawa, told the Ottawa river Waterway committee recently that work on the Fitzroy Harbour bypass at Chat’s Dam is progressing and the objective is to have it open as soon as possible.
“We are here today to gain as much information as possible about the way other bypasses are run and how this committee operates,” said Mr. Eastman.
He was enthusiastic about the benefits of opening the new bypass and linking the Ottawa river waterway to Ottawa, Aylmer and Britannia Bay. He also suggested it would be a wise move if the waterway committee held a training session for all staff in Fitzroy Harbour prior to the official opening. He will now report back to his committee members, who will make the final decision regarding becoming a full partner.
He said there are public launches near the Fitzroy site as well, and it would be possible to transport boats from the well-travelled Rideau system. He made it clear that the Fitzroy Harbour board was anxious to “march to the same drum,” cost-wise, but added, “We have to be careful to balance our books.”
Mr. Eastman explained capital costs for the Chat’s Dam bypass are covered, then added that because the County of Renfrew had pulled out of the system, it might be difficult for Fitzroy Harbour to obtain funding from the provincial and federal governments.
Councillor Terry O’Neill of Pembroke, a member of the committee, said it was vital that efforts continue to convince the county, Base Petawawa, the town of Petawawa and Deep river, to rejoin the waterway partnership. The waterway will officially open July 1, but several of the bypass sites will move boats prior to that if bookings are made in advance. The official season runs from July 1 until Labour Day.
Donnie Gagnon, MRC Pontiac and chairman of the committee, congratulated Mr. Eastman and the Fitzroy Harbour delegation, and announced that Ms.Linda Sarazin has returned as the waterway co-ordinator. She will assist the Fitzroy Harbour committee in getting its operation off the ground (water). The 2006 budget was accepted and rates for this season will be $50 per bypass and $500 for a season pass. Bypass charges for 2007 will be reviewed later this summer. The yearly charge for participating municipalities for marketing and administration is roughly $5,000 per season.
Mr. Gagnon told Waterway members that Ontario Power Generation had advised him it will be promoting safety procedures to be followed at local hydro dams this summer.
The river bypass system can handle cruisers up to 50 feet, pontoon boats up to 28 feet, fishing boats, sailboats with removable or retractable masts and keels, but houseboats are excluded.
“This waterway system is an important component when it comes to tourism and recreation in the Upper Ottawa Valley and it is time we all got on board,” said Mr. O’Neill.