Clearing a path

City to remove snow from boardwalk from Shipyard west to end of MacKenzie Drive

The City of Summerside will clear both the wooden and paved sections of the west-end boardwalk, from Shipyard Market to the end of MacKenzie Drive, throughout the winter.

Council made the decision last month after the committee of council recommended the municipal works department continues clearing snow on that section of boardwalk.

The issue of winter use of that section of the boardwalk and whether the city should continue clearing that portion of the trail resulted in one of the largest turnouts of residents at a public meeting held by the current council, something Summerside Mayor Bill Martin was pleased to see.

“I like it when we have members of the public who want to enlighten us on their views and want to share their views,” said Martin.

“We represent you guys. It bothers me when we have public meetings of council and there is nobody there.”

The majority of the 30 people who attended the November meeting wanted at least a portion of the waterfront pathway cleared so it could be used for walking year round.

It was something the mayor said council listened to when making its decision.

It costs an estimated $19,400 to clear and salt that section of boardwalk in winter, with annual costs to repair winter damage to the boardwalk at $25,000.