RED LAKE -- Red Lake’s first official off-leash dog park is weeks away from opening according to the municipality’s chief administrative officer, Mark Vermette. The property is all levelled with black dirt to be applied this week and then sodding to take place afterwards, he said.
Vermette said the project has been in the works for about 18 months. “Because the challenge was finding a piece of property within the municipality,” he said. “That’s when the discussions took place with Evolution [Mining]. They’ve made arrangements, so we can utilize the area.”
The facility is going to be 90 feet by 340 feet with two separate areas, one large dogs and another one for small dogs said Vermette. The final dimensions will be determined once construction gets closer to completion, he added.
Vermette said the park is a really good community partnership among the community, business and different levels of government.
“The Lucky Mutts Dog Club is quite excited about it” he said. “They aimed for $10,000 and they ended up achieving $19,000, which is great.” The money will go towards sod and any potential upgrades that are needed, said Vermette.
Evolution Mining has donated the use of the land. The province is contributing $38,787 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and FedNor is providing $7,760 according to an agreement signed with the municipality in February of this year.
“We’re excited for the dog park and look forward to it being utilized again by late September,” said Vermette. An announcement about an officially opening will be sent out in the next few weeks.
