THUNDER BAY -- Since it was first discussed, nearly a decade at least will have past by the time work on the Boulevard Lake Dam begins.
The project, which has been in the works since 2008, was delayed due to tenders coming in over budget two years in a row. This year it was the environmental assessment process that stopped the dam's rehabilitation and dredging, which was supposed to start in June.
The city says that will work be delayed again next year because of the Can-Am Police-Fire Games, a decision made by administration and event organizers last month but not made public until Friday.
"The decision was made but it hasn't been released as far as a media release at this point," city engineering director Kayla Dixon said Friday afternoon.
"Some councillors are aware but we haven't put out a blanket issues management to council yet."
The city made the announcement after it was caught off guard by a Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change response to the project's environmental assessment, obtained by tbnewswatch.com but not given to the city until Friday morning. The letter was sent July 2 through regular mail and has still not shown up the city says. The MOECC emailed a copy of the response to the city Friday.
The response highlights a number of concerns over the EA, including a lack of information, consultation and purpose.
"I think it's unfortunate that we didn't have the letter," city manager Tim Commisso said.
"Obviously if we had the letter we'd be in a better position to respond."
The EA was developed in conjunction with JML Engineering, which has been involved with the project since 2008. Dixon said the city has been in contact with the MOECC on the project but in light of the response, it will need time to figure out what it might mean for the currently $5.3 million project.
"It's difficult to determine at this time what costs or times will be associated with that," she said.
Commisso said he understands the concerns people have now that the project will again be delayed.
"We want it as well it's just the reality of dealing with a complex project," he said.
"It's unfortunate. We understand the frustration. It's just the reality of what we're dealing with."
