Mayor Brad Whitcombe is hoping the rest of Puslinch shares his enthusiasm for an ambitious rehabilitation plan that will provide residents with a brand new recreational opportunity.
At the behest of Whitcombe, the township is investigating the possibility of transforming several gravel pits into one large lake measuring 700 acres in size – twice the size of Puslinch Lake.
The mayor told council the initial reaction of the gravel companies and affected landowners such as the University of Guelph, has been very positive.
“Everyone that’s been involved has shown a spirit of wanting to do more than the status quo … and of doing something for the betterment of the community,” Whitcombe said last week.
County planning director Gary Cousins said if nothing is done, the township will be left with a series of nine small ponds on a 1,200 acre parcel along both sides of Concession 2, south of Highway 401 at the Highway 6 interchange.
“We’re here to tell you it appears to be feasible … and the interest is there,” Cousins said, adding the next step is to get public feedback.
Hydrogeologist Stan Denhoed said the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Grand River Conservation Authority have identified four main concerns with the proposal:
– a potential impact on the nearby wetlands and the Mill Creek as a result of altering surface water levels;
– the possible loss of water through evaporation due to the large size of the lake;
– the potential impact on water quality, including higher water temperatures, which may affect trout spawning; and
– a possible disruption of the natural flow of groundwater in the area.
However, Denhoed added the lake could also present the opportunity to introduce new species of fish and possibly to improve a stretch of the Mill Creek. He suggested the project include two smaller lakes to welcome aquatic wildlife such as birds and amphibians.
County planner Aldo Salis told the Advertiser it is unclear exactly what approvals will be needed at this stage, but the process will likely break down into three components: licences to remove the aggregate from in between the ponds, the closure and removal of a portion of Concession 2, and a Planning Act process once the project is completed.
“The most important thing is to determine what the after-use will be,” Salis said.
St. Mary’s Cement and Dufferin Aggregates are the two main aggregate operators on the land, a large portion of which is owned by the University of Guelph.
“The university is here to show our support,” spokesman Charles Cunningham said. “The mayor shared his vision and we’re here to share our enthusiasm for that vision, and we hope to see it come to fruition.”
The project will likely take at least 10 years to complete, but councillors were impressed with the potential of the idea and lauded Whitcombe for his ingenuity.
“Our mayor has the ability to see past what is, in my opinion, a terrible failure of provincial policy,” councillor Matthew Bulmer said of the “rehabilitation” of gravel pits in the township.
However, Bulmer expressed concern that the “big lake” plans include the Neubauer gravel pit, for which St. Mary’s Cement has applied but has not yet received approval from the county or township. He did not want the lake plans to imply the township is in favour of the Neubauer pit or that the matter would not receive a fair review.
Councillor Susan Fielding called the lake plans a “very exciting” opportunity to build a public amenity that could become “a landmark” in Ontario.
“Hopefully, in a small way, this would be a way of giving something back to the community that they’ve lost,” Fielding said, noting gravel pits are never popular with residents.
“You’ve got my vote,” councillor Don McKay told Whitcombe. “I think this is just a fantastic thing to do.” McKay asked who would own the waterway when the project is completed.
Cousins replied ownership is unclear right now, but everyone involved foresees some sort of public ownership. He said perhaps the GRCA would be interested in taking it over.
Whitcombe acknowledged there are concerns of which the township needs to be mindful, but he sees a great opportunity to protect, and even enhance, environmental features, as well as provide a great recreational opportunity for residents.
“I think we can really achieve something here,” he said, adding he looks forward to starting the public process.
Clerk Brenda Law said any initial costs will appear in the budget under “engineering,” and Whitcombe vowed to get some budget figures for council.
