KENORA — Construction has begun on the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre boat launch and parking lot expansion.
Titan Contractors will be doubling the size of the parking spaces from approximately 150 to 300 spaces to accommodate both long-term parking and day-use parking availability.
“This project is really going to expand the city's capability to support our residents, our tourists, our seasonal visitors and having available parking for them to come and visit the community,” said Greg Breen, the city's director of engineering and infrastructure.
The contractor will also be adding one additional boat launch to help alleviate congestion at the particular popular spot.
Breen stated that the boat launch is regularly used by contractors for ongoing construction projects, as well as, season visitors travelling to various parts across Lake of the Woods.
In addition to the parking lot expansion and boat lunch, the contractor will be replacing the water main beneath the Sports Centres entrance driveway which has been out of service since 2021.
Breen does not expect there to be any disruption to service level in nearby buildings during its replacements.
“That water main feeds a hydrant and provides redundant water supply to the building,” Breen said.
The project will also involve a retaining wall just below the skate park. The retaining wall was installed back in 2004; however, after many years of rain and moisture seeping into the ground, the adhesive started to come apart. The retaining wall failed during the 2022 flood.
“The repairs really are about re-establishing the slope there and not actually re-installing a new retaining wall,” said Breen.
The objective is to make the area safer for pedestrians due to its proximity to a walking path nearby.
The total amount for the project was approximately $1.6 million, according to Breen, for which the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation provided $800,000. The City of Kenora matched that amount.
The project began on July 4 and is expected to take until the end of summer to complete.
The entrance driveway, boat launches and parking lot will be closed from Aug. 14 to Sept. 1 as the contractor will be working on the watermain replacement and boat launch.
