.PNG)
The City of Kenora is revamping the area behind the Kenora Rec Centre to create more space for parking, and boats, as well as beautify the space in the process.
Stace Gander, Director of Community Services, said the city is excited for this project to get off the ground.
“We’re going to be adding an additional 140 parking spots at the rec centre. We’re going to be connecting two trail systems so there is going to be a nice meandering trail that’s going to go alongside the creek,” said Gander.
Along with more parking spots and trails, Gander added they’re going to be adding an additional boat ramp to create more capacity for boats. A large portion of the area will be paved and parking will be controlled.
The city’s hoping to break ground on the project by the spring of 2022. In regards to an end date, Gander said due to the high demand for parking in Kenora, the city is looking at a two-phase approach for the project.
After the dust settles the upgrades will cost around $1.6 million. Half of that money will come from the city of Kenora while the other half will come from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, which is chaired by Kenora-Rainy River MPP, Greg Rickford.
“We’re transforming the City of Kenora and towns and cities, and First Nation communities across the riding. This 140 parking space paved accommodation with a new boat launch is going to help us live up to our mantra of being a boating destination,” noted Rickford.
Rickford concluded by saying he is doing everything he can to support and increase tourism with projects like this one.
“This is a $1.6 million project. We’ve supported a number of major projects and smaller ones in the city to make sure they are in the best position as possible as hopefully, COVID lifts in the not so distant future.”
Earlier this year the City of Kenora was awarded $227,771 from the provincial government to add a dehumidifier to the rec centre, which was a part of a $1.5 million investment to ten Northwestern Ontario communities.