The boat launch next to the bandstand was in a state of flux all summer, and Athabasca residents are starting to voice their frustration with the situation.
“I am just wondering why it’s taking so long,” said Bob Lasiuk, who is a boat launch user. “I totally understand about the weather. I totally understand about the creosote. I understand all that stuff, but I don’t understand why they can’t open it up for us to go in there and use the boat launch.”
Lasiuk argues that this is the prettiest time of the year to boat on the river, and the construction is keeping them from enjoying the fall colours.
“I just think it’s a bunch of B.S. I think somebody’s on a power trip. There is no reason not to let us in,” he said. “There is no real reason to shut it down. They are just being very secretive.”
The closest boat launch is 30 kilometres away in Riverside. After that, it’s 60 kilometres to Poacher’s Landing.
“I just feel something has to be said or some information needs to be dug up,” he said. “I can understand why when they are working there why we shouldn’t be there, and working around them, because it is dangerous then.”
Michael Tratch, the outside services superintendent, said there is still some concrete work that needs to be completed.
E Construction is working on the project, and Andre Blanchard, head of the construction, said the boat launch should be opened fully on October 8.
“The reason why it’s been closed for so long is that we have to do some additional concrete work and if we let people into the parking lot, it would be harder to close it off afterwards,” Blanchard said.
Tratch said. “It’s still in the hands of the construction company. It was advised by our engineers to ask people to stay out of there until the project is complete.”
Lasiuk is a frustrated resident and would like some answers.
“It is dragging on, and they’re not even working down there. There is nothing going on,” he said.
Mayor Roger Morrill referred questions on the issue to the town’s chief administrative officer Doug Topinka, who was unavailable for comment.
The boat launch was opened for use this past weekend , but will close again until the contractors are finished with the project.
