A familiar structure in Callander is finally getting a much-needed refurbishment.
Matching contributions totalling $1.4 million from the federal and provincial governments, and the municipality, will be used to repair the government dock. The L-shaped structure has been a part of the community for 110 years.
“It is an icon,” said Mayor Hec Lavigne. “People always ask when it is going to be fixed. It has been there forever and is part of the community.”
In the 1990s, the federal government gave up ownership of its public docks and Callander negotiated to take ownership of it.
“The deal was that the government would give it to the municipality and pay them to repair it. The formula was that they would pay up to the breakup value of the dock, which is what it would cost them to remove the dock,” he said.
Public Works Canada resurfaced the dock, but neglected the structure underneath, which had deteriorated.
“It was rotten, since it was built in 1903. Almost from the first day I became mayor in 2000, I received this underwater survey of the dock and video of all the garbage and rot. And that is when I started my discussions with the federal government about the repair.”
A summer storm, about five years ago, created high water in Callander Bay and pieces of the dock were ripped apart on part of it.
“We had to abandon use of it for a few years, since we simply could not repair it,” Lavigne said.
Constant lobbying of the federal government for repair funds finally paid off.
“In order to get money for the dock, we had to create a strategy outlining the economic benefit and employment opportunities of rebuilding the dock,” he said.
The municipality received $110,000 and hired a consultant to create a waterfront development plan, with the focus on rebuilding the dock. After a year or so of community involvement and discussion about what the residents wanted to see in the downtown, the plan validated the need for the dock.
“We developed a waterfront redevelopment plan over the last 18 months, that from an economic perspective, is really a gateway to the lake. But it is also a gateway from the lake to the town, so we are inviting and enticing people by water to use our shops,” Lavigne said.
The first phase of the project will take into account some streetscaping, and connect all of the town’s assets, including its three downtown parks.
“Callander Bay is our biggest asset, but we do have everything you would want in a community,” he said.
The rebuilding of the dock will include the installation of new floating docks capable of accommodating up to 12 boats, in order to promote day traffic and bring people to the downtown core. In the future, the municipality may look at overnight mooring and partnering with a local marina to provide further services and amenities.
The funding will be used to repair an existing breakwater, replace timber decking, add new curbs, concrete caps and mooring devices, as well as install energy-efficient, solar-powered LED bollards to enhance public safety. It is expected to be completed by November.
Callander also received an additional $102,387, provided through the federal government of Canada’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, to complete improvements to Centennial Park. The project will include adding a splash pad and exercise equipment, expanding play structures, upgrading the beach and swimming platform, as well as improving accessibility to the park. The province and the municipality will be matching the contribution and work is expected to be completed by mid-summer.
“The dock has been an ongoing issue, but what we got out of it, was this value-added redevelopment plan,” Lavigne said. “We understand the importance of having this plan, which prioritizes the renovations, the repairs and the cosmetics and creates a vision of what we would like Callander to look like in years to come.
“We are accomplishing our goals here. Callander is in a great position and is attractive to a lot of people. Not to say other places aren’t as nice, but I am the mayor of Callander.”
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