West River area residents vote to amalgamate

Renovations to the turf fields at Cornwall’s Terry Fox Sports Complex will help the high-use fields continue to host provincial, regional and national-level competitions.

The province is contributing $100,000 to the project through the Rural Growth Initiative’s Community Revitalization Program.

The renovations have redone the granular sub-base of the fields as well as extensions and repairs. It has also addressed ongoing drainage issues, which will help extend the life of the two turf fields which were built in 2006.

“The kids are really excited to see all the changes to the new turf,” said Mark MacDougall, the physical education instructor at nearby Eliot River School.

“It is an upgrade from what it was last year, and we feel very fortunate to have access to the field during the school year, which can now be extended even later in the season thanks to the new upgrades.”

West River area residents have voted in favour of amalgamation.

In accordance with the Municipal Government Act of P.E.I., the five rural municipalities of the West River Group, including Afton, West River, Bonshaw, New Haven-Riverdale and Meadow Bank, individually polled residents in their communities to determine their wishes regarding potential amalgamation of the five communities.

Over the past five communities year, the have been meeting to address the requirements of the Act.

In April, Stantec Consulting and MRSB Consulting were contracted to prepare a study reflecting the effects of the changes required by the Act.

In June 2018, there were two public consultation meetings, and on Aug. 28 the final report was presented to the public.

On Tuesday, each community held a meeting asking its constituents if their community should amalgamate with the West River group of communities.

In each case, poll results indicated a majority in favour of amalgamation, and attendance at all the community meetings was good.

Each of the community councils expect to take up the poll results for discussion at their next scheduled meetings.

To view the final report and additional information gathered at previous public consultation meetings, visit Westrivergrowth. wordpress.com.