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by Katie Chambers
The Winnipeg Sun
December 18, 2002
About 300 people packed into a St. Vital community centre
to fight for the future of a stretch of wooded land along the
Seine River.
The city hall committee was expected to vote last night on a
proposed bridge at Southglen Boulevard to accommodate a subdivision
of 760 homes by Ladco Co. Ltd.
The Save Our Seine advocate group has been battling the developer
over the fate of the wooded area for months.
Consultants of Earth Tech (Canada) Inc., who were hired by the
city, sided with the developers.
They concluded a second bridge should be built at Southglen Boulevard.
Two bridges -- at Warde Avenue and Southglen -- are necessary
in the long term, said Brad Cook, the project manager.
"Warde alone does not provide sufficient access. We need another,
at least one residential collector into this area. With that in
mind, Southglen becomes the best alternative," said Cook, adding
the study explored traffic and environmental impact.
Recreation area
The Save Our Seine group believes the planned riverbank greenway
will be hurt if the bridge is built.
In addition to muskrats, beaver and blue herons, the group is
also concerned about keeping the river area clear for a recreation
area, called Bois des Esprits. It would include an interpretive
centre with an inn for overnight guests, a cafe, bakery, docks,
classrooms, and possibly overnight camping.
The group has already raised thousands of dollars for the project.
"Ladco does not own the river but think they can come along and
spoil it, abuse it," said Jules Legal, president of Save our Seine.
Coun. Dan Vandal said the city is still committed to buying a
minimum $1.5 million of habitat near the Seine River from the
developer and the province.
"That's a constant, that's not going to change," Vandal said.
"That's already been decided."
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