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Poonamalie Lock 32 Rideau Canal - Masonry Repairs Progressing Well

 
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RIDEAU CANAL COMMUNITY UPDATE: The final phase of historic stone masonry repairs at Poonamalie Lock 32 is progressing well. The contractor has been working on the final stone replacement, repointing, and grouting required to conclude this rehabilitation project, expected to finish in winter 2019.

The final phase of historic stone masonry repairs at Poonamalie Lock 32 is progressing well. The contractor has been working on the final stone replacement, repointing, and grouting required to conclude this rehabilitation project, expected to finish in winter 2019.

In order to complete these historic masonry repairs on the monoliths, upstream breast wall and within the lock, materials are carefully selected. Sandstone mined from a local quarry is being used to replace the worn stone at Poonamalie Lock. In order to match the finish of the original stone, the new sandstone is hand hammered to create a rough finish. The hammered stones are then installed into their final resting place within the structure, matching the historic aesthetic.

 This project is part of Parks Canada’s unprecedented $3 billion dollar investment over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These historic investments will mitigate health and safety risks, halt the loss of nationally significant built heritage and stimulate the economy in communities across the country.

A Brief History of Poonamalie Lock 32

The Poonamalie site’s original name was First Rapids, as it is the first lockstation encountered in the descent toward Ottawa on the Rideau system. According to local folklore, the name Poonamalie was derived from a town in India named Poovirundavalli where the British Army stationed a garrison in the early 19th century.  An officer of the Royal Engineers felt the cedar-lined roads at First Rapids were reminiscent of those he had seen while serving in India. 

The channel in this section of the Rideau Canal is nearly 2.5km and bypasses the original rapids in the Rideau River. In addition to the lock, earth dam, and weir, a defensible lock master’s house can also be found at this site. This building was originally built in 1842 and remains in use to this day.

 For More Information:

For up-to-date news on infrastructure work along the Rideau Canal, please visitwww.pc.gc.ca/rcInfrastructure. For questions or to receive updates regarding this project, please email RideauCanal.info@pc.gc.ca and include “Poonamalie Lock” in the subject line.

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New Rideau Lakes council sworn in

The new Council for the Township of Rideau Lakes was sworn in on December 3 at the Old Town Hall in Delta. Click here to read the press release about this event.

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Rideau Lakes among "safest places" in Canada

A recent survey by Macleans magazine rated the Township of Rideau Lakes as the 11th safest place in Canada to live, with a Crime Severity Index (CSI) of 27.04%. The CSI was based on the following details:

Population: 10661

Police service: Ontario Provincial Police, Rideau Lakes detachment

Number of homicides in 2017: 0

Homicide rate per 100,000 people: 0

Breaking and entering rate per 100,000 people: 206.36

Assault level 1 rate per 100,000 people: 253.26

Click here to read the full Macleans article.

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Lyse Prendergast Lyse Prendergast

Election Results!

Results from the 2018 municipal elections for each of the 3 townships surrounding Big Rideau Lake are posted below.

Click here for TRL results.


Click here for TVT results.


Click here for DNE results.

Drummond North Elmsley

Drummond North Elmsley

 
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2018 Lake Links Workshop

The 17th Annual Lake Links Workshop is set for Saturday October 20th, 2018, at the Perth Civitan Hall.

Doors open at 8:30, registration cost $25 (includes lunch).

This year’s theme is “Our Lake, My Responsibility – Our Reward”. Lake community members, scientists and organizations across Eastern Ontario join to learn, network and see what’s new. Key topic this year is the importance of good stewardship - active lake stewardship programs, what others are doing on their property and how those actions are affecting our lakes. Register at watersheds.ca/lakelinks2018 or contact Melissa Dakers at dakers@watersheds.ca, 613-264-1244. And please bring a food donation for the Perth Food Bank.

See agenda details below.

 
 
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Portland Public Meeting - Follow-up

 

Email received August 27th from Michael Dwyer, Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Rideau Lakes

Good afternoon,

I would like to thank you for your interest in, and feedback on, the Portland revitalization concept plans presented at the open house this past Saturday.  

I have attached the plans/boards that were presented at the meeting.  If you would like to submit initial comments or supplemental comments, please feel free to do so by email to me at: mdwyer@twprideaulakes.on.ca .  Given the tight timelines involved, please endeavour to provide comments by Friday at noon.

The next step will be taking a summary of the feedback received to a special Council meeting scheduled for 2:30-5:30pm on Tuesday September 4th, in Chantry.  

At this meeting, Council will also be presented with, and undertake an exercise exploring, the financial aspects of the facility concepts using a ‘proforma’ tool currently being development by the Township (the genesis of this project).  Proformas have been used by the private development industry for years to assess the financial merits and risks of varied and/or evolving development concepts.  We are taking this tool and specifically designed a version for municipal use to help us better consider innovative approaches to facility development and renewal in small/rural municipalities.

If you would like to better understand proformas and how they can be used to guide investment decisions, you can read more here: http://plannersweb.com/2013/12/proforma-101-getting-familiar-with-a-basic-tool-of-real-estate-analysis/

Please be advised this meeting is not another meeting for direct public feedback. Rather, it is a meeting for Council to review the pubic feedback received to date and engage with the concepts for the first time as well.

Community revitalization is a longer-term process.  I am very pleased to see the community is so engaged and open to dialog.  At this very early stage, the next major decision point for Council is to determine if they wish to waive the conditions in the agreement of purchase and sale, and accordingly finalize the purchase of the Gallagher House property.  Under the purchase agreement timelines, this decision must come in September.

Attachments:

Facility Concepts - Portland - August 25

Streetscape Design - Portland - August 25

Supplementary - Facility Concepts Portland - Aug 25

 

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Origins of the Salmon River: Bus Tour on October 13th

 

Join the Friends of the Salmon River in exploring the headwaters in the north plus the middle of the Salmon watershed. The geologist, ecologist and historian on board will explain natural features (wetlands, forest, rock formations, etc.) and an historical narrative, and point out recreational (kayaking and hiking) opportunities.

Saturday October 13, 2018

Departure time: 9:30 am. Return time: 3:30 or 4 pm.

Cost: $40/person includes lunch.

Tickets: contact Susan at 613-379-5958/ susan@moorepartners.ca OR Victor at 613-331-3655/ victoryhaze@mac.com

Click here for more information.

 
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