In August 2024 the MCPRA Board established a WAI Approval Committee and also a WAI Working Sub-Committee consisting of Board members and local volunteers that have since developed / approved a project plan.

 

As with most projects that involve opportunities to improve public recreation / services (in this case public water access to the Rideau River and the Back Channel), there was a need to establish a geographical delivery area so that potential WAI opportunities could be assessed based on evaluation criteria that include location, accessibility, proximity to parking / pedestrian access amenities, upgrade costs, community demand/benefit, partnership requirements, etc.

 

After approving a WAI geographical project boundary and site evaluation criteria in early September 2024 (see below), we developed an inventory of all public water access locations that are located within that geographical boundary area (see table below). Based on additional WAI Sub-Committee member visits to each of the public water access locations, we reduced, and received WAI Committee approval in November 2024 for additional evaluation / prioritization of WAI locations. Therefore, the full list for further assessment was shortened to the 11 locations bolded in the WAI location list below. We will determine proposed location improvements and associated costs in order to establish an estimated project budget. Once that analysis is complete, we intend to hold a public meeting by the end of February 2025 to review our findings and get feedback from the community on these proposed public water access locations and expected improvements.

 

Thanks to the superb fundraising work of the MCPRA’s ‘Chic Time in the Tick’ Committee that have annually planned and hosted these events since 2017, we already have significant funds to undertake the design / construction phases of this project. Chic Time 2025, scheduled for 23 May 2025 at the Manotick Curling Club, will provide additional funds for this initiative.  We hope to double our project budget by applying for additional municipal / provincial / federal grant opportunities once our prioritization / costing / community review tasks are completed.

 

WAI PROJECT (Approved Geographic Boundary)

 

• River Road from Flag Station Road to Nicholls Island Road as the eastern boundary.

• Nicholls Island Road and Cecil Rowan Lane to Barnsdale Road and Barnsdale Road to Rideau Valley Drive as the northern boundary.

• Rideau Valley Drive from Barnsdale Road to Phelan Road as the western boundary.

• Phelan Road across the Rideau River to River Road near Flag Station Road as the southern boundary.

 

WAI PUBLIC WATER ACCESS LOCATIONS (Approved Evaluation Criteria)

 

• Location – within the approved project boundary above.

• Parking / Safety – Safe for unloading / loading of equipment and users

• Accessibility – Distance from road / parking amenities; existing pathways to access river

• Proximity to Other WAI locations – avoid evaluation of locations in close proximity

• Development Requirements – avoid locations initially that are undeveloped

• Pedestrian Access – site accessibility for locals wishing to walk to site

• Community Feedback / Benefits – local feedback as to concerns / support for WAI locations

• Costs – depending on the monies available for WAI activities, expensive sites may be deferred based on ranking / priorities

• Partnership Requirements – Assessment of partner groups needed to proceed with WAI

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More Details can be found in the project official document

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