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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-03-21 ReportNEWCASTLE COMMUNITY SERVICES PLANNING BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT MARCH 21, 1985 SUBJECT: FOOTBRIDGE OVER BOWMANVILLE CREEK PAGE 1 OF 2 RECOMMENDATIONS It is respectfully recommended: (1) that the Board receive this report. (2) that the Board approve of and support the project in particular. (3) that the Board believes this project to be beyond its mandate for direct involvement. (4) that the Board forward the 'guide' as shown in Appendix 'A' to Mr. Whaley along with this report. (5) that a copy of this report be forwarded to Council for information. BACKGROUND AND COMMENTS The footbridge in question is to span the Bowmanville Creek at a point West of the arena or the Bowmanville Senior Public School. A pathway, and possibly stairs, would have to be constructed to connect the bridge with downtown Bowmanville to the East and Waverley community to the West. The purpose is to have a more direct link between both. The Committee discussed the project with various Governmental agencies with comments as follows: CLOCA (Mr. Campbell) Reaction favourable, subject to detailed proposal. School Board (Mr. Worden) Reaction favourable, subject to detailed proposal. Works Department (Mr. Dupuis) Reaction unfavourable. (See report previously tabled) Planning Department (Mr. Edwards) Reaction favourable, subject to detailed proposal. Newcastle Community Services Planning Board March 21, 1985 Re: Footbridge over Bowmanville Creek Page 2 of 2 We also inspected several similar bridges which are six feet wide, placed in comparable locations and approximately ten years ago. We found that there is no need for a wider construction as three people can move with ease (see pictures enclosed). The approaches to the proposed bridge are the cause of more concern and possibly higher cost than the bridge itself. To the East there is a fifty foot steep embankment and to the West no obvious termination point. There are possibly three options to the West; at Hetherington Court (Plan 702, Block 'J'), at Lawrence Crescent (Plan 702, Block 'G'), and further South at Spry Avenue. These need to be further investigated. It appears that to make the bridge a viable connecting link between the two parts of Bowmanville, the proposal should include turning most of the Valley into an open park area as opposed to a wilderness park, which would require a great deal of clean up and brush removal, as well as grooming. This proposal, if it finds sufficient public support on both sides of the Bowmanville Creek, has the potential to physically bring the two parts of Bowmanville together as well as to turn an obvious barrier between the two communities into a common asset and an object of pride to be enjoyed by all.. Respectfully submitted B. W. Heming (Chairman) Andy Tieleman Noel Rivers APPENDIX "A" TO FOOTBRIDGE REPORT APRIL 2, 1985 It appears that while the N.C.S.P.B. will not be able to be directly involved, the project itself is considered a worth- while community service and the sponsors (optimist Club) are encouraged to proceed. The first step would be to do an in-depth feasibility study. We include a copy of "Feasibility Studies for Community Facilities". If this guide is followed, then a most comprehensive study should be the result. The second step would be to present this study directly to Council for information and consideration. All members of the Footbridge Committee of the N.C.S.P.B. (Bernhard Heming, Noel Rivers and Andy Tieleman) have indicated they would be happy to assist as much as required. The elected representatives of the Town should also be contacted for their input and guidance at the outset. The local Press is an important media to solicit public participation. We do hope that the sponsors pursue this project and will be able to bring it to fruition.