THUNDER BAY — The Wilderness Discovery Centre received $400,000 from HAGI on Saturday for a new accessible deck and ramp, which runs from the top of the parking lot down to the beach.
Dubbed the HAGI Way, the ramp is longer and has decreased slope angles, making it less steep and allowing all members with any type of disability to use the ramp system and have a much easier walk to access the beach and its facility, as opposed to having to take the old sand road.
HAGI, one of the centre’s six main members who originally owned the facility, has many members who utilize it and the organization has funded the project fully through HAGI TV Bingo since the project began in 2017.
"Coming out to the property if you've never been, it's so surreal. You don't realize how big of an infrastructure and how meaningful it is," said Jeff Jones, the centre's president.
"I mean the full camp is accessible, automated doors, everywhere you can get access with a wheelchair down to the boat system, you can go fishing and now to have this structure that's safe for us, visible and it allows our members to come out and use it safely is really important for us.”
The centre also features additional equipment in the lodges and various cabins, including lifts and hospital beds, as well as upgraded washroom facilities.
Jones said the old ramp was a lot worse when they ripped it up than they had thought it would be.
"It really didn't have much life left in it and we're glad that we got to it when we did. We knew it was going to be a big project," said Jones.
However, even with many necessary upgrades to the whole facility, as well as more upgrades and continuous maintenance expected for the big structure, the centre still has a few more projects it is looking into.
"We want to make sure that we have a facility that's designed not just for our members that come out and the families, but also for the community groups that use it," said Jones.
He said the whole initiative is all about community.
"When you get individuals from the communities and these contractors that come out, they're working because they see the benefit and the value of it," said Jones.
"And so they've all went extra miles and did stuff in kind to see this project through."
The centre also hosts corporate retreats, educational groups and weddings.
Over the weekend, more than half of the residents from the facility’s Jasper building enjoyed in the festivities, the lake and the opening of the brand new ramp.
“It makes it a little bit easier for people and especially in pushchairs, to be able to get up and use the waterfront. It’s just a beautiful thing to see out here. It’s gorgeous to see on the property. It’s a beautiful piece of construction,” said Ryley Hlady, HAGI’s president, who remembered the old ramp being steeper and harder to use.
“We’re very excited to see this open and finally be completed. It’s been a major project for a few years that we’ve been working on very hard together with the Wilderness Discovery Board and you can see the fruit of that labour. It’s all here and it’s just great. It’s an amazing place to spend any amount of time at,” said Hlady.
“We have a nice composite decking on it that’s going to last us for a long time and be here for a lot more people enjoying the future,” said Hlady.
Dwayne Heebner, HAGI's housing manager, was one of many wanting to complete the ramp since he started working at the centre 15 years ago. He agreed it is great for all who use the facility.
“Our older system had some high pitch, so it was harder for people to climb it. This one here is all up to… the new code. So, we got a lot of switchbacks (180-degree turns), so a lot of people (can) rest and nice new railings and it’s just overall made it easier to use,” said Heebner.
The whole project came in at just over $400,000, he added.
“When we came out here to see the project completed, it wasn’t what we’ve seen on paper, so there’s a lot of material out here being used and, yeah, it was a big undertaking,” said Heebner.
The ramp had been a long time coming for them, Heebner said.
