Ravine boardwalk will be replaced

The boardwalk at the Ravine Ecological Preserve is going to be replaced after a near half decade of inaccessibility.

“Historically, a floating boardwalk stretched across the middle of the Ravine, allowing individuals to connect more closely with nature and take a close up look to the aquatic habitat surrounding the preserve,” explained Taylor Morrison Recreation Services Manager, with the City during the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

“However, as a result of the 2010 flood, the boardwalk was damaged and repairs were made to both the boardwalk and the mounting poles located in the Ravine bed at a cost of approximately $15,000. The boardwalk was again damaged in flooding in 2014, and has since remained inaccessible, resting along the east side of the Ravine.”

For those unfamiliar with the preserve it “is an approximate 80-acre natural park space, located immediately west of the Gallagher Centre, which includes a hiking/walking trail that winds through rolling grasslands, and aquatic and aspen parkland habitats. The preserve is also home to the Dulmage Farmstead, a municipal heritage site, as well as the arboretum and peace grove. Additionally, the trail system has been designated as part of Yorkton’s portion of the Trans Canada Trail,” said Morrison.

The location has been well-used over the years, said Morrison.

“Many individuals make use of the Ravine Ecological Preserve, and can be seen taking in the walking trails, learning about the historical elements of the Dulmage Farmstead, or simply enjoying the view while having lunch. Organizations also have a vested interest in the park space, with two groups, the Dreambuilders High School, and the Yorkton branch of Farm Credit Canada, volunteering time to complete trail cleanup this spring. Garbage, winter debris, and items ranging from disposed propane tanks to bed frames were removed from the park space this year. Dreambuilders High School has also incorporated the Ravine into their Wellness, Environmental Science, and Wildlife Management classes, utilizing the preserve to enhance their education opportunities,” he said.

The replacement of the boardwalk came to the fore recently as a federal grant program came to light.

“In the fall of 2017, the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) opened a 2018-2019 Capital Improvement Plan grant, where designated TCT organizations could apply for funding to assist in large scale capital improvements, to a maximum of 36 per cent of actual eligible expenditures,” Morrison told Council.

“The Community Development, Parks & Recreation (CDPR) department applied for this grant, working with an estimated $50,000 budget number to replace the boardwalk. Due to timelines surrounding the grant intake, administration did not hear about the status of the application prior to the 2018 Capital Budget being developed and approved.”

The initial grant application was successful.

“On May 15, 2018, the CDPR department was informed that our original grant application was approved, and funding amounting to $18,000 would be available for the boardwalk replacement project. The grant is required to be spent prior to Mar. 31, 2019 or it will have to be returned,” said Morrison.

But once the grant was secured more detailed costing showed what needed to be done would not be accomplished with $50,000.

“Upon notification of this grant funding, the department obtained a quote from a marina company to determine actual costs of a replacement boardwalk. During this process, a more detailed design was developed that included aluminum railings and a gangplank anchoring system for both ends of the boardwalk. This anchoring system would allow the boardwalk to rise and fall with the level of the water in the Ravine, thereby preventing future damages because of flooding or excess rainfall,” explained Morrison.

“Further, Administration learned that the original estimate would need to be revised to approximately $100,000. Working with this updated budget, Administration contacted the TCT to inquire about additional funding and has recently been informed that the TCT organization has doubled the amount of grant funding available for boardwalk replacement project, with the new grant totaling $35,000.”

In order to take advantage of the Trans Canada Trail grant, Administration has identified reserve accounts that could be accessed to cover the remaining balance of this project to allow the project to proceed within the grant timeline while other funding partners are explored.

Administration recommended Council authorize it to proceed with the Ravine Ecological Preserve boardwalk replacement, and further authorize up to $65,000 be made available from the Neighborhood Parks reserve account to cover the balance of the project after utilization of the available grant funding of $35,000.

“I believe the reserves we have are for this purpose,” offered Councillor Randy Goulden.

Coun. Aaron Kienle agreed the project was a worthy one.

“I love it down there …It’s beautiful … it’s a great spot,” he offered.

Mayor Bob Maloney said he believes once replaced, “a lot more people will use it.”

Council was unanimous in supporting the recommendation.