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DFO: Federal Government Announces Rehabilitation and Divestiture of the Lakefield 'Upper' Wharf

Friday, May 06, 2005

LAKEFIELD, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - May 6, 2005) - Peter Adams, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, announced today on behalf of Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government and the Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield have reached an agreement on the divestiture of the federal harbour facility in Lakefield.

"I am delighted that we have reached a very fair agreement on this. The Village of Lakefield and our Region can only benefit from it," said Mr. Adams.

As part of the divestiture, the federal government will provide funding for the complete rehabilitation of the Lakefield (Upper) Wharf, which has been barricaded due to its unsafe condition for the past two years. The project will be completed through a Joint Project Agreement between Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Branch, and the Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield.

Under this agreement, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will provide up to $900,000 in funding to the Township over two fiscal years to reconstruct the wharf to safe standards. The Township will administer the project, as well as participate in a portion of the funding. Once the project is completed and the funding has been conveyed, the Lakefield (Upper) Wharf will be transferred to the Township, under the Small Craft Harbours' Recreational Harbour Divestiture Program.

Federal holdings at Lakefield comprise a 100-year-old, 200-metre long marginal wharf and associated property, located on the Trent-Severn Waterway in the Village of Lakefield. The wharf fronts municipal property and infrastructure in support of the Lakefield Marina. The proposed project involves the demolition of the existing wharf and construction of a new wharf of steel sheet bin design. The project is expected to begin this fall to be completed for the re-opening of the marina for the 2006 boating season.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Sarnia, Ontario
Theresa Nichols
Communications Manager
(519) 383-1804

Internet : www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca