By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The Town of Cobourg just may get significant help with important rehabilitation work on its waterfront infrastructure – but as council’s Community Services, Protection and Economic Development standing committee heard at last week’s meeting, it comes with a steep price tag.
The staff report mentioned “a successful grant application in the amount of $5-million” that is eligible to be used on rehabilitating the East Pier, as well as the West Breakwater, East Breakwater and Monk’s Cove Retaining Wall.
In return, the report continued, the town must commit to a contribution of $14.5-million.
“The governing agency or funding stream cannot yet be disclosed until a public announcement is made,” the report said.
“As a condition of the governing agency, the Town must first attest to having secured the Town’s portion of the funding through Council approval.”
Both Director of Community Services Brian Geerts and Chief Administrative Officer Tracey Vaughan hailed it as a good-news story.
Geerts acknowledged that the commitment is a lot of money, but stressed that the $5-million contribution is contingent on the commitment.
Vaughan noted that the need for this work has been discussed by at Cobourg council meetings for a number of years.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to leverage money and reduce the burden on the taxpayer.”
