Construction of the accessible dock on the Seine River at John Bruce Park will be going ahead this fall, thanks to the recent confirmation of an additional $55,000 from the Province of Manitoba through Building Sustainable Communities (BSC). A special event was held at the site of the dock on July 18, 2020, to mark the occasion. In attendance was the Minister of Municipal Relations Rochelle Squires, MLA for Lagimodière Andrew Smith, MLA for Seine River Janice Morley-Lecomte, SOS Executive Director Michele Kading, SOS Past President Denis Gautron, and several SOS Board Directors.
Speaking at the event, Michele Kading said, "We're thrilled to be able to see this through to fruition on our 30th anniversary. It's a real legacy project, so we're very pleased."
The additional funding brings the contribution through Building Sustainable Communities to $75,000. Kading adds, "The bids have not yet come in yet for the accessible dock so the full cost has not been finalized. But now that we have secured this additional funding from BSC, we are confident that we can proceed with its construction."
The accessible dock is part of a larger Greenspace Enhancement Project (GEP) that includes enhancing riverside trails, creating an interpretive node in Bois-des-Esprits, and improving informal launch sites for canoes and kayaks along the river.
Members of the community are encouraged to support this unique legacy project by continuing to donate to the accessible dock. Every dollar that individuals or corporations contribute to the accessible dock frees up other project funding for trail enhancements, the interpretive node, and/or launch site improvements. Once the accessible dock at John Bruce Park is completed, any new donations for the dock will be placed in a reserve fund to build a second accessible dock on the Seine River either in St. Boniface or near the Perimeter Highway.
We are incredibly thankful to all of our supporters and community members who have donated towards this legacy project.
We can't wait to unveil the completed dock later this year!