By Cecilia Nasmtih/Today’s Northumberland
Though the beach is closed, Cobourg Councillor Emily Chorley gave a report at this week’s council meeting that indicates the waterfront will be busy nonetheless.
At the marina, transient boats are now allowed, and Chorley noted there had been 14 the previous weekend (keeping the fuel docks busy).
“The administration building will open this week and, with the beach closed, the harbour, headlands and west beach have been very busy – obviously this is something staff will have to monitor.”
The campground opened Friday with new safety procedures, she continued. The washroom building is closed, but port-a-potties are available.
There is a high level of e. coli in the water just now, Chorley reported. While 200 parts per million is considered safe, Cobourg’s water tested at 449 ppm last week.
“At Centennial Pool, staff are working toward a potential opening July 6. They are working with the YMCA on operating procedures and programming.”
As for the splash pad, she said, the decision whether to reopen that can be expected shortly.
“We have sports organizations in the community that have been looking to restart some of their activities and have been submitting Back To Play plans to the town, which are being reviewed and approved so some of these sports organizations can resume some level of activity.”
As well, Chorley added, new operating procedures are being developed for the Cobourg Community Centre for when it may reopen.
Chorley said that the town would normally employ 47 summer students, but they are going with 19 this year. Normal complements of summer staff are working in waterfront operations, but there are zero working in tourism and the summer camps at the CCC.
In the parks department, the 17 students who would normally be working has been cut to five.
“With this in mind, please be patient if there is any delay in grass cutting or maintenance in our parks,” Chorley urged.
Electrical upgrades for the harbour and marina are close to completion, and that night’s council meeting had seen the approval of the Design and Engineering contract for the East Pier (to the MBTW Group for $189,895 plus HST).
“The first public consultation will probably take place before the end of the summer,” she said.
Author: Pete Fisher
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