PICTOU – The local YMCA wants it to be a little brighter near the Pictou County Wellness Centre.
Jim Pomeroy, CEO for the Pictou County YMCA, asked county council Monday for an update on the lighting and sidewalks near wellness centre.
He said it is a busy pedestrian area, especially on Thursday night during the Jr. A hockey games, and there is very little lighting outside the building. Pomeroy said sidewalks would make a difference in pedestrian safety as well especially on MacGregor Avenue and on Westville Road, under the overpass, approaching Highland Square Mall.
Council said it has approved three sidewalk projects, one on MacGregor Avenue. The drawings for tender are complete and specification packages are being finalized. It is hoped the tenders will be out within the week.
Coun. Andy Thompson said lighting cannot be easily improved along MacGregor because there are currently no poles in place to hold street lights.
He also said the overpass section has been studied, but putting sidewalks or lighting in that area would require a revamping of the overpass – work that would have to be done by the province, not the municipality.
“We looked at lights under the overpass but it would take considerable dollars and effort,” said Thompson.
Council agreed to send a letter to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to see if reworking the overpass was included in any provincial capital budget.
