The city has a lot of land along the Kaministiqua River and is looking for the public’s help on how to use it.
From the Mountdale Avenue boat launch to Lake Superior land on both sides of the river, including both McKellar and Mission Island, is being used less for industrial purposes of the past. A study by the city, partnered with Fort William First Nation, has inventoried the land and now wants to know what the landscape should look like over the next 20 years.
On Thursday evening, the first of two public meetings was held at West Thunder Community Centre to discuss what potential uses there could be. Mayor Lynn Peterson said community consultation is essential when dealing with such a large piece of public property.
"This is a large piece of land and its been used throughout our history for a number of different things, industry mostly and that industry has changed so now’s the time to take a look at this particular piece of waterfront land and talk with the community," said Peterson. " How should it be used? This is public land. We need to talk to people and see what their thoughts are."
The evening started off by city planner Stefan Huzan giving a presentation on the historic uses of the lands surrounding the Kam River. From prehistoric times to fur trading forts to the recent industrial activity, Huzan said the area has undergone five major areas of change.
" So much dreging has occurred along the Kam that there’s a story that there’s enough material removed that you could build a wall 20 feet high and twenty feet wide from here to Winnipeg," said Huzan.
After a pictorial history of the area, the crowd of over 30 people were split into groups and asked what they though was important to protect in the area, what should be rehabilitated and what should be created or destroyed.
Carl Taylor said he’d like to see a marriage of past present and future along the waterfront property. He suggested a first nations museum to honour their contribution to the area as well as a comprehensive trail system for people to enjoy the natural habitat such as returning fish and wildlife populations. Tylor said he’d hate to see commercial development such as a mini-mall developed.
Barrie Midgley said while he came to the meeting to hear other people’s ideas he’d like to see some of the old grain elevators be rehabilitated before all of the industrial past is torn down. He suggested a rock climbing gym could be built out of an old grain elevator. Midgley also suggested the land could be used for community farming projects for charitable organizations. If people could grow their own food, they could benefit from the experience Midgley said.
" It’s nice to help yourself rather than looking for charity," said Midgley.
A large percentage of the lands are currently zoned for heavy industrial uses. Some of the waterfront, such as the southern shore of the river near the James Street Bridge, are zoned Hazardous Lands. Senior city planner Victoria Kosny said the study wouldn’t estimate costs of cleaning up the areas until well into the future when more specific uses for the land are identified. She said the purpose of the initial study is to see what kind of uses there are available and to get ideas from the public.
" We really need the gut feeling from the community and the information from people," said Kosny.
Kosny said she and he group have been working on the study for a year so far. She hopes the study, called " Kam River & Islands Use Study" will give the city a better idea of what the are could look like over the next 20 years. As the quality of land improves with the reduction of industry, Kosny said the area will have more uses such as residential, commercial and recreational possibilities.
Kosny said the study shold be ready to present to city council within the year.
Another public meeting will be held Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Fort William First Nation Community Hall from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
