No timeline for reconstruction

Parks Canada plans to replace building destroyed in July fire

Parks Canada says it plans to

replace its building lost in a fire near Freshwater Lake Trail.

The Parks Canada building was destroyed around 5 a.m. on July 23 at the site in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

The building, built in 1941, was used as a washroom and change facility for visitors to the trail. The trail remained opened

during the summer and washroom and change facilities were moved to Ingonish Beach.

Damage to the building was estimated at $60,000.

“It’s too early to determine a timeline for construction,” said Éric Le Bel of Parks Canada. “The Freshwater Lake Trail will remain open, and should the building not be ready for the

2018 season, visitors will use the Ingonish Beach washroom and change area.”

The Ingonish Beach RCMP, along with firefighters from the Ingonish Beach and North Ingonish volunteer fire departments responded to the scene and were able to contain the fire without it spreading.

Parks Canada fire crews were also called to the scene for precautionary measures in case of a wildfire.

Dylan Patrick Hawley, 20, of Cape Smokey, and Dalton Shea, 19, of Ingonish, are both facing two counts each of arson and damage to property. The two were in Sydney provincial court on Thursday. Both accused entered not guilty pleas and were assigned trial dates.

Hawley is to stand trial March 19 while Shea is to stand trial April 25. Both continue their release on conditions.

A third individual, a 17-yearold male, was also implicated in the incident, but he has been referred to a diversion program.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/INGONISH BEACH RCMP The Parks Canada building in Ingonish Beach is shown after a fire destroyed the washroom and change facility near the Freshwater Lake Trail in July. Two males, ages 19 and 20, are charged with arson in the incident.