The downtown Wallaceburg parking lot construction project was completed just days before WAMBO.
And during the event, Wallaceburg’s two councillors held a dedication ceremony and official opening for the lot.
“The importance of this parking lot is that this is a true measure of cooperation and collaboration between the Municipality of Chatham Kent, WAMBO, the BIA and the area merchants here,” said Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley.
“I have got to give lots of credit to Chatham-Kent engineering because they listened to all of the feedback and questions form the BIA and WAMBO and they worked with them great. It was just fantastic.
Wesley said the BIA and WAMBO were instrumental in helping with the process.
“The Chair of the BIA, David McCarron has been supportive,” he said. “Karen Moran with the BIA, give her credit for all the flower beds and the plantings on the other side because that was her idea and she approached the Municipality and members of council. We talked to Chatham-Kent engineering and they worked it out. That is a fantastic addition to this parking lot.”
Wesley added: “The other thing I wanted to mention was that they worked really well with WAMBO. This is a key location for WAMBO. One of the things they did working with WAMBO was allow the refreshment tent to be anchored in a way that is has in the past, which saves them money. They actually made a deal to utilize some of the contractors fencing, which saved WAMBO some time and energy as well. So it has been great overall.”
Jason Cikatricis, engineering technologist in Chatham-Kent, said the Municipality did the design and the inspection, while the contractor was Dig’R Wright Excavating Inc.
“I want to lend a thank you out to my team at the Civic Centre that helped and as well the contractor played a large role,” he said.
“They were very conscientious about how things would unfold here and the different issues. As far as issues, that was just standard construction. We did find some old foundation and old footing in here but we removed all that and put in new stone base and drainage. So basically what we have done is given this parking lot a lot more extended life.”
Cikatricis added: “We have new lights. We have the underground lighting and new drainage. We have done a lot of improvements compared to what was here.”
Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor said it has been an amazing process to watch the project unfold.
“I wish Karen Moran was here. All of her input with the Municipality to get these flower boxes going and just seeing the coordination between Bill Wolsing from WAMBO, from Jason, Jeff was organizing things and you know it was just an amazing come together,” she said.
“Even the fence. They (Dig’R Wright Excavating Inc.) coordinated with WAMBO in order use their fence this year. Just that whole coordinating piece, to pull together in a small community and a job this size. Again I can’t say thank you enough to Jason for the work that has come out of your department.”
Reports say the cost of the project was $350,000.
– Photo credit: Tami Schram
Great Job Folks , Now to get new stores up town to fill that parking lot with cars and people.