It is a busy year for Rideau-Goulbourn parks. Blue Rock Park in Kars is currently undergoing renewal while staff work toward the renewal of the play equipment at Richmond Lions Park, in addition to the planned outdoor rink to be located there this year. Planning also continues on Sarah McCarthy Park in Richmond and Ivy & Gordon Scharf Park in Manotick. All the while on Fairmile Road, we inch closer and closer to being able to add play equipment after the acquisition of some land and the progress on a road closure.

With all of that going on, the City, working with Councillor Michael Qaqish’s office and our Rideau-Goulbourn team, have just embarked on an update to the Beryl Gaffney Park concept plan culminating in some new investments in the park. We had our public open house last week with over 60 residents in attendance. In the coming weeks, we will formalize the method for feedback. Please stay tuned to this column and that of the Manotick Village & Community Association for more information.

McBean Street Bridge

The most significant infrastructure project to hit Richmond in some time has begun with the reconstruction of the McBean Street Bridge. In recent weeks, preparatory works began on site. These included some tree removal and the relocation of Bell lines. Aecon Construction has been contracted to carry out the bridge replacement project. The Commence Work Order was issued on June 20th and their completion date is scheduled for December 19th, 2019.

While the project itself will take up to 18 months, the impact on heavy vehicles and transit should only be approximately six months. As soon as one side of the bridge is complete and open, that newly constructed side will not have the weight restrictions any longer. For all other traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians, one lane of traffic will be available, except for a couple of occasions where a full closure may be necessary. The first full closure could occur within the next couple of months but the contractor is aware of significant Richmond events, such as the Fair and the Santa Claus parade and will ensure those are not impacted negatively.

If you happen to be a transit rider and frequently use the 283, there is a detour in place for the duration of the first phase of construction. The detour has been designed in a way to minimize the delay on the fewest number of riders. Simply put, riders from Munster and those who live on the South Carleton side of the Jock River will experience a longer commute. I thank those riders for their patience as we undertake this important project.

Stonebridge Development Proposal

In recent weeks, some of you may have heard my name being thrown around regarding Mattamy’s proposal to alter the Stonebridge Golf Course and build 158 additional units on the golf course property. The reason why I am mentioned is quite interesting as the development application actually falls entirely within Rideau-Goulbourn’s ward boundary. Similarly, there is a street in Stonebridge called Stromness Private, which also falls within Rideau-Goulbourn.

When the current boundaries were created in 2005, holes five through eight were considered to be outside the urban boundary. The urban boundary set the ward boundary lines. With the urban boundary changes that were approved in and around 2010, certain lands in Stittsville and Barrhaven that I now represent became developable, including this portion of Stonebridge. The intention is to correct these lines in 2019 with a ward boundary review. In the meantime, I will be working with Councillors Jan Harder and Michael Qaqish on the issues that impact our Barrhaven consituents.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.