North Bay's Olmsted Beach to become more accessible
By next week, North Bay city officials say Olmsted Beach should be completely upgraded.
Upgrades include a new playground, a wheelchair accessible beach mat, and paved pathways and parking lots.
“People will be able to wheel down on this wide path so you can be to wheelchairs side by side," said North Bay city councillor Johanne Brousseau.
"Either take the beach mat to get to the water or get to the playground or wheel towards the boat launch. They’ve added more benches, and tables and we have accessible washrooms.”
Brousseau said the upgrades are in an effort to make North Bay more accessible for everyone.
“We want to include all of our population,” she said. “At first you may think it’s just for somebody with a physical mobility issue, but we’re all going to get there. As we age, we want the city to be age friendly.”
The upgraded area is good news for members of the municipal accessible advisory committee. Barbara Smith, who sits on the committee and is also visually impaired, told CTV News the upgrades will allow for people with mobility limitations to get outdoors more often.
“If you’re a person living with a disability and you have a family now you can go to the park," Smith said.
"If you’re in a wheelchair, you can at least watch your children play in the water, you can watch your children sit at the picnic table with you and not have to be off in some other corner watching from a fair ... You’re an active participant in your community and in your family circle.”
Brousseau is confident many people will use the new area, with some people already expressing their excitement.
“I’ve had two citizens who told me they are quite excited and will be here right away they will be the first ones to wheel down that mat,” she said.
“They’ve never been able to swim in Trout Lake, so they will be here testing it out.”
City officials say the project will cost roughly $200,000 and should be complete by next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
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.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.