Sister Kennedy Centre

Fort Frances town council is willing to review another option that provides the Sister Kennedy Centre with more parking.

Council rejected two proposals from Administration this week that would have resulted in the addition of between 2 and 4 spaces, costing between $175,000 and $400,000.

Both proposals called for the additional space located in the green space to the south side of the Fort Frances seniors’ centre.

Councillor John McTaggart proposed a third option.

“And that would be an entrance off of Victoria to the south of the senior center building, with diagonal parking along the bush line that is on the south side of the property and exiting through the parking lot, the current parking lot,” says McTaggart.

“I’m suggesting that with the moving of a couple of buildings, we could probably pick up seven or eight or nine parking spots.”

Council previously rejected proposals to change calendar parking restrictions around the centre.

A sidewalk on Nelson Street from a nearby municipal lot was also considered, but dismissed when bids for the project came in over budget.

Councillor Mike Behun says the sidewalk is still the most cost-effective approach.

“I appreciate that in the wintertime and having to cross Victoria, but when you look at these prices, I think that looking at the sidewalk again is the most cost-effective option to accomplish what we want to accomplish,” says Behan.

Administration is expected to come back next month with an updated report.