By Angelica Ingram
The following are brief reports of items discussed at the Jan. 25 meeting of Dysart et al council.
Councillors are straying from a decision they made last year regarding a pedestrian crosswalk at the west side of Highland Street York Street and Cedar Avenue.
The decision was made at a Nov. 23 meeting of council where councillors passed a resolution to put the crosswalk into the 2016 budget for approval.
The initial decision for the crosswalk was made following a traffic study done by Tranplan Associates which concluded there was enough traffic to warrant a courtesy pedestrian crosswalk.
However now councillors are not sure it should be installed with Reeve Murray Fearrey doubtful.
“The more I think about it I’m not sure it should go there” he said.
Deputy-reeve Andrea Roberts had expressed hesitation on the location of the crosswalk at the December meeting but council said the decision had been made.
Roberts said she believed the decision was final as a resolution was passed.
Discussion over installing an “artistic” crosswalk was had however councillors weren’t in favour of this as it is strictly meant to be a safety feature for town.
Following a devastating fire that destroyed the Harcourt Community Centre in November of last year residents of the hamlet are looking towards rebuilding the popular community hub.
Councillor Tammy Donaldson told the Echo a brainstorming meeting was held in Wilberforce at the beginning of January to start making plans for the new centre.
Details on a construction timeline are unknown as the municipality is still waiting for the insurance claim to be finalized.
In the meantime a fundraising committee has been formed and plans are coming together for a benefit dance to take place on Feb. 27 at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Centre in Wilberforce.
Chairwoman of the committee Barb Robertson wrote in a letter to council that the committee is aware the insurance money will not completely cover the rebuild in particular the furnishings and asked if the municipality would help cover the fee for renting the LWMC.
Councillors approved covering the $172 insurance fee for the dance.
After months of work and waiting for Mother Nature’s co-operation the skating oval in Head Lake Park is ready to be used.
Recreation co-ordinator Andrea Mueller told councillors there is a evening skate event planned for Feb. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be music and lights.
There are a number of fundraisers coming up for the Junction Skate Park in the village.
On Feb. 19 the municipality will be organizing a Battle of the Bands event at the community centre. Tickets cost $10 and pizza and pop will be sold there. It is an all ages event.
On March 16 Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride will be hosting a ski/board-athon with funds raised going to the skate park.
Any participant who raises more than $50 will be given a complimentary lift ticket. There will be music competitions and demonstrations throughout the day according to Mueller.
