Update for the Friends of Old Pinawa

Taxes

Once again the Friends has had to pay the taxes on the Manari property. We have been trying to give it to the Province for the last four or more years. We are told that the change in ownership is in the works, and that these things take time but ....
Taxes (including interest): $94.73

Picnic Shelter

The Picnic Shelter is looking really good. Manitoba Conservation feels that there is a safety concern and will take steps to correct it. The steel posts that hold up the roof have anchoring plates at the bottom so they can be bolted to the concrete base. Some of these steel plates are raised approximately an inch above the concrete floor and are a safety concern. Conservation has decided to put a brick facing around each post that would be approximately 12” - 18” high. The bricks are old and were made at the old Lac du Bonnet brick yard. We believe they were recovered from Old Pinawa. There will be no cost to the Friends of Old Pinawa.

Shade Trees

During the Floodway expansion around Winnipeg, a large number of trees had to be removed or relocated, and the Old Pinawa Dam has benefited. Rather than destroying the ornamental trees that were removed, they were relocated to other sites. Our park has received about fifty 30-year old ash trees. Some have been planted at the Park entrance near the Pinawa Dam sign, and others along the right side of the gravel road into the park. The majority, about 40 ash trees, have been planted around the picnic shelter and toward the amphitheatre. Stewart tells me that the trees are small for their age, perhaps due to the type of clay they were planted in. He expects that the trees will 'explode' and grow quickly in their second summer here. There was no cost to the Friends of Old Pinawa.

Spillway Trail

Work started late this fall on the Spillway Trail. As well as more fencing, there are new trails for easier access to the viewing platform at the south end of the Spillway and another trail near the outlook that goes over the dike.

We have invoices that will be sent to Hydro for $7,927.60

Lower Falls Bridge

Manitoba Conservation is continuing to assemble pieces for the bridge over the lower falls but the bridge will not be in place until next spring.

This is completely a Friends of Old Pinawa project, and unfortunately the price has been escalating. At this point the cost is $15,880.01 but there still may be additional costs.

Image 1 – A section of the Lower Falls Bridge

South side of Upper Falls

The flat rock area on the far (south) side of the Upper Falls has a new set of stairs for safer access to this area of the dam. The old set of stairs on the trail leading from the upper falls bridge near the spillway has been removed and replaced by a graceful gravel walk.

New Hiking Trail

A new hiking trail has been pushed along the south dike near the south end of the park, swinging north, looping around the swamp and going quite close to the eastern side of the park. The new trail joins the north-south dike trail near the northern park boundary.

Image 2 – Working on the Hiking Trail on the South Dike

Lower Falls Hiking Trail

The trail that provides access to the east side of the lower falls was improved and a new access trail was made by the sleeping giant. Gravel has been purchased for the trails but Manitoba Conservation is waiting for freeze-up to gravel the trail because of all the clay.

Image 3 – Rerouted Lower Falls Trail near ‘sleeping giant’

Still to come

Upper Pinawa Channel Trail

A new trail loop will be put on the South side of the Upper falls going across the wet area towards the flat grassy area on the west side of the park across the Pinawa channel from the Trans-Canada Trail. Stewart tells us that it will not cost a lot of money.

Image 4 - The Trans-Canada Trail is across the Pinawa Channel

Lower Falls Lookout on the Spillway Trail

A short trail will provide access to a viewing area across from the outfall of the Lower Falls.

Spillway Lookout

The lookout at the south end of the spillway will get a railing and perhaps a cement floor.

Hiking Trail Signs

Morgan has an idea for 3-dimensional signs along the Hiking Trail. Students will have information sheets about points of interest along the trail. They will be able to make rubbings from the signs onto the paper. We are waiting for her to get back to us on the costs.

Commemorative Plaque

Vivian and I feel that there should be some kind of commemorative plaque marking the cooperation that made the site improvements possible. I would like to have the plaque made of bronze, but that will depend on cost. The sign would recognize Hydro, Manitoba Conservation and The Friends of Old Pinawa. The plaque might be located on the dam wall near the existing one, or on the lower falls bridge.

Additional Revenue

This was the fifth year that we had tours for 4 classes of St. John’s Ravenscourt students. The $300.00 that they donated was deposited to general revenue.

Project Costs

Spillway Trail	$7,927.60 - Will be reimbursed by Hydro
Lower Falls Bridge	$15,880.01
Hiking Trail	$2,946.80

Estimated Bank Balance

In order to pay for the Spillway Trail invoices, we cashed in our Money Market fund and transferred the $15,076.08 into the RBC chequeing account.

Estimated RBC & SICU bank accounts:	$6,958.54
Owed from Hydro	$7,927.60
Estimated total bank balance	$14,886.14

Contact

Visit the Friends of Old Pinawa Dam website