Rec trail getting closer
THUNDER BAY, ONT. — A non-motorized recreational trail for three of the four seasons is closer to reality in O’Connor Township and bordering Conmee Township.
At two of the past three O’Connor council meetings, Fleming Road — the border road between O’Connor and Conmee — is being proposed as part of the Kakabeka Falls to Shabaqua Trail Route.
Both townships are tentatively in favour of the lengthened route, but more work still has to be done.
“It’s a work in progress,” said O’Connor Mayor Jim Vezina. “We like the concept. (The Northwestern Ontario Recreational Trails Association and the townships) are sharing the trail. There’s some areas that aren’t going to be on the trail and some that are.
“We’re not involved in the planning of this at all. Literally, (The Northwestern Ontario Recreational Trails Association) came to us to ask us our permission and, in general, we’re in favour of it.
“It’s like anything else. We’ve got to make sure the legalities stuff is taken care of and our ducks are all in a row. That’s kind of a stage we are at right now. (Len Day of The Northwestern Ontario Recreational Trails Association) came to council a couple of meetings back and we said, ‘Yeah, we’re good with this’, but some of the areas are boundries with other municipalities, so before we’re going to get too deep, make sure you have those municipalities on board too.”
Vezina heard at a July 12 meeting that Conmee was tentatively on board as well.
“Basically, Conmee is in agreement with it in principle too, so now it’s a matter of us looking at the legal side of it,” said Vezina, who has been the O’Connor mayor since 2015. “We don’t mind supporting it, but we’re not going to pay for it and we’re not going to take liability for it.
“To me it looks like a wonderful idea, it looks like it will go through, but I’m not 100 per cent sure when all the i’s and t’s will be crossed and dotted.”
