COURTENAY, B.C- The study of a safe route along Lake Trail Road will be getting city funding.
During the meeting of city council on March 26, council was asked to consider the allocation of $25,000 out of gaming funds towards a study for a safe route along the road. The item had come forward after council’s previous green-light of the idea at their last meeting.
Councillor David Frisch had asked for the city to examine a safe pathway between Arden Elementary School and Lake Trail Middle School, both of which sit along Lake Trail Road in Courtenay’s west end.
Council was asked to approve the allocation of $25,000 for surveying, concept design, and options analysis for the idea. After discussion on the matter at the time, which brought up concerns about a quick approval, the assembled councillors eventually voted unanimously to give the project a green light.
During Monday’s meeting, council briefly discussed the idea one more time. While there was general support around the table, Councillor Manno Theos and Mayor Larry Jangula both expressed concerns about the speed of council’s approval.
Jangula was vocal with his concerns, stating that the gaming fund could be viewed as a slush fund. He also said the process was rushed, and the cost might not be the best use of city money.
When it came time to vote, he was the sole member of council against the approval.
With the approval, the $25,000 study will now be included in Courtenay’s general budget for 2018.
