No rebuild – for now
Parks Canada has no plans to reconstruct washroom, change facility
Officials with Parks Canada say there are no plans to rebuild a washroom structure this tourism season.
The bathrooms and change facility was destroyed by a fire on July 23, 2017, near the Freshwater Lake Trail in Ingonish.
In November 2017, Parks Canada confirmed its plans to rebuild the facility, however no timeline was given.
“Parks Canada is committed to providing visitors with exceptional and meaningful experiences at our places,” said spokesperson Darlene Doucet.
“The agency apologizes for any inconvenience this might cause and would like to thank visitors for their patience.”
The fire at the Parks Canada building happened around 5 a.m. in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Ingonish Beach RCMP, along with firefighters from the Ingonish Beach and North Ingonish volunteer fire departments battled the blaze and were able to contain the fire.
Fire crews with Parks Canada were also called to the scene as a precautionary measure in case of a wildfire.
Damage to the building, which was built in 1941, was estimated at $60,000.
Dylan Patrick Hawley, 20, of Cape Smokey, and Dalton Shea, 20, of Ingonish both pleaded guilty in June to a single count
each of mischief in relation to the incident.
Shea pleaded guilty to damages associated with the burning of the bathrooms/change room facility, while Hawley pleaded guilty in connection with damage to nearby garbage bins.
Shea was given a 12-month conditional sentence, while Hawley is to complete a fourmonth conditional sentence. Such sentences allow offenders to serve their time in the community as opposed to going to jail.
With no building available near the Freshwater Lake Trail, Doucet said visitors can use the Ingonish Beach washrooms and change area.
It’s unknown when a new building will be built near the trail.