Downtown cleanup continues in Sudbury
Work is underway cleaning up Memorial Park after damage and contamination from an encampment on the city property that was closed April 1.
The city said it is also working on securing a contractor to do repairs in the courtyard of city hall that was also damaged during the high traffic in the area from the warming centre’s operations earlier this year.
"So the public will see some areas of the park fenced off while that sodding re-sodding occurs. There is also some electrical upgrades that need to be done in Memorial Park and that work is being completed now. The good news is the water is back on in Memorial Park as well, so those repairs have been done to the waterline," said Tyler Campbell, the director of child and social services for the City of Greater Sudbury.
City crews were laying sod in Memorial Park this week.
The city said the electrical repairs are delaying the opening of the splash pad. However, the drinking water fountain is now operational.
Sydney Riddle, whom works downtown and uses the park daily, is happy it's being cleaned up for everyone to use.
"I like to come on walks here whenever like I am going to the (YMCA) and all the kind of stuff so it makes me really happy to see that people are using this park again," said Riddle.
The city said they are working on securing a contractor to do repair work in the courtyard at city hall. At this time barricades are in place to block off damaged walkways and a stage.
"The courtyard at 199 Larch St., Tom Davies Square was used for the past year as a warming shelter and certainly it's an area that wasn't intended to be used as a warming centre. Essentially operated 365 days a year 24 hours a day in terms of operation. So a very high traffic area so we are currently conducting scope of work," said Campbell.
The city said it's been working with a number of community partners and since last July 142 people have been housed.
There are currently 136 people on a wait list for housing opportunities.
City officials say right now there are 25 known encampments in the city compared to 165 in October 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Security Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.