Confusion over location of floating dock

MacLeod wonders if better site exists for project

“I’m pretty sure you just don’t just flip the kayak off the roof in a couple seconds. Is there not going to be a bottleneck where the islands are, where down further there would be that manoeuverability?” Coun. Terry MacLeod

Coun. Terry MacLeod requested clarification on exactly where the floating docks would be located at Victoria Park during Monday’s Charlottetown city council meeting.

The floating dock project passed in July, “but at that time I don’t know how clear it was to everybody as to the location. Could you explain exactly where it is going?” MacLeod asked.

Coun. Mitchell Tweel, who chairs the parks and recreation committee, explained the location.

“As you are driving through the park, past (the) playground equipment, keep driving and make that sharp turn, keep going about a hundred yards from there… long before you get to the tennis courts… it’s in that general vicinity,” Tweel said.

MacLeod clarified the location would be where the road is separated by an Island.

“So, we are going to have two parking spots, a disabled and a drop off?” he asked.

Tweel confirmed there would be a drop off and they would look at a disabled parking location.

MacLeod wanted to know if it was possible to look at another location at Victoria Park.

“Was there any consideration given to maybe further down where the cannons would be?”

He has seen traffic back up in the area with someone trying to parallel park. He said with the area the cannons are being a more open, was it considered as a location for the floating docks?

Tweel noted the parks and recreation committee did a lot of research on the location of the floating docks.

“I think why this particular location was picked was because of the deep water. So, even if the tide is out the floating dock will still be functional.”

MacLeod was told police were not consulted on the project. He was worried about people looking to access the floating dock area with additional equipment like canoes on the roof of their vehicles.

“I’m pretty sure you just don’t just flip the kayak off the roof in a couple seconds. Is there not going to be a bottleneck where the islands are, where down further there would be that manoeuverability?”

MacLeod said he wondered if the cannon area should be looked at before the plan moves ahead.

Even though the location was approved, Tweel said he will take the question under advisement.

“The location was approved in the resolution and it was approved for various reasons. That was the best in terms of water.”

MacLeod said he believes police should have been involved in the process.

“It really should have been looked at… it’s never too late to make sure we get it right.”