ESTEVAN - Pathway system construction progresses but may see some minor delays.
City engineer Kiflom Weldeab attended the latest council meeting on Sept. 7 on behalf of Rod March, the manager of leisure services, parks and facilities, to provide an update on the latest progress with the construction of the pathway system in Estevan.
"We are past 50 per cent. We are approaching 60 per cent. Everything is moving well," Weldeab said.
There are several complications, but Weldeab said they are working to get everything done on time. One of the issues that hasn't been resolved yet is one of the crossings of the railways on Kensington Ave.
The construction of the pathway across the south crossing was already arranged with the local CP representative. But, Weldeab said, the north one is managed by someone out of Manitoba, and no agreement has been reached at this time.
The rest of the project is progressing fine.
Mayor Roy Ludwig said the project should be done before freeze up.
"The concrete work should be done in the next week or two. And the dashboard is progressing," Weldeab said.
Councillor Veroba confirmed with Weldeab that the pathway going down Valley Street connecting to Churchill Park was still a part of the project. She also passed on to the council the positive feedback she received from the past councillor.
"Pathways have been a very hot topic, very positive topic. Most people are very impressed. Past councillor, councillor Knibbs, actually called me wanting to pass on to this council a congratulatory message," said Veroba, adding that past council was a part of the application as well.
The council also touched on the possibility of announcing and advertising different parts of the pathway system as they are completed and accessible to the public to ensure that the community is aware of the many routes they have. Ludwig added that in the future there should be maps set up in different locations, illustrating the pathway system.
"We would like to get maps set up at different locations because some of them you can have a loop so that people, maybe, only want to walk 3K instead of a whole lot more," Ludwig said.
"I know this will come with time. We will have proper maps available; we will have … litter bags; we will have garbage receptacles in proper locations; and we will have solar lighting."
Weldeab confirmed that so far all of that is part of the plan.
