Washrooms in the works at tidal bore viewing site
Construction of public washroom facilities at the popular tidal bore viewing site have begun with completion expected before June.
And work on a new playground near the tourist interpretive centre on the former Palliser Motel property is expected to begin as soon as weather permits.
The property, now called the Fundy Discovery Site, was purchased several years ago by the County of Colchester as a tourist destination project.
“We’re in the final stages of designing the first stage of a playground,” said Crawford Macpherson, the municipality’s director of Community Development.
“It’s kind of an adventure playground made out of natural materials.”
The playground will be located in the low-lying area adjacent to the interpretative centre in an effort to provide some shelter from winds coming off the Bay of Fundy.
The public washrooms will in- clude four stalls in the women’s section and two stalls and two urinals for men. It will also include a handicap/family washroom and baby change table.
Cost of the washrooms is approximately $190,000. The county is acting as the general contractor with trades work being undertaken by sub-contractors.
The municipality decided to act as its own general contractor after receiving three tenders ranging between $344,628 and $492,000.
The Town of Truro is assisting with the washroom project by running a water line to the site, with cost of the materials being covered by Colchester County.
“So, it’s a good contribution from them to have that done,” Macpherson said.
The county is also working in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture to raise the elevation of the dike that runs along that portion of Cobequid Bay by about one metre.
“We want to get that done and have a trail surface on top of it and have it finished right there where the tourist bureau is, because that’s also where the playground is,” Macpherson said. “Eventually we want it to attach to the Cobequid Trail.”
Having the top of the dike surface finished to trail status will also enable tidal bore viewers better access to take in the tide.
“Because there’s a bend in the river, right, and everybody wants to get to see around the bend, so they can see it coming,” he said.
“It’s a good interpretative opportunity. It’s a modern version of what the Acadians did hundreds of years ago to create that land and keep the ocean at bay. So, we’d like to do some interpretation of that.”
Interpretative signage is also to be erected in the area to give visitors information about the tidal bore, the Bay of Fundy and other key tidbits about the area.