Safe Communities Wellington North is asking for council’s help to make the commercial area north of Sligo Road safer for the Mennonite population.
Gary Williamson updated council on July 11 about the committee’s efforts to provide safe access for the Mennonite community to businesses in Mount Forest, including No Frills, the future Canadian Tire, TSC and Home Hardware.
“The main reason we’re here is a safety concern that was identified by the Safe Communities committee and that was safe access for the Mennonite community to businesses on the north end of Mount Forest on Highway 6,” he said.
Williamson explained traffic and congestion in that area is “an accident waiting to happen for the horse and buggy Mennonite community.”
The committee started investigating options on how to provide safe access three years ago.
A laneway has now been constructed on the south side of the No Frills lot, entering from Sligo Road.
The original hitching post has been moved to accommodate the new laneway and to reduce buggy-vehicle interactions in the parking lot.
“This is only for horse and buggies, this is not for vehicle traffic; it will be signed accordingly,” stressed Williamson.
The gravel lane is gated on one end and will be maintained by No Frills. Ballards are to be in place on either end to allow a buggy through, but not vehicles.
“This project, this laneway, is 100 per cent funded through Loblaws (No Frills) themselves and the Mennonite community is working with them … there is no public money being spent,” said Williamson.
Next phase
This laneway is only phase one of the Mennonite detour.
Williamson explained the final vision is to have the detour continue to the property that will house the new Canadian Tire, cross over Highway 6 at the Mount Forest Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Drive intersection, pass the Home Hardware, then enter in at the township’s right-of-way toward the TSC.
This plan does come with some challenges, however.
While the Chamber has given the committee permission to pursue a laneway, Canadian Tire has yet to be approached.
Williamson asked for council’s support to make a connection with Canadian Tire.
He also asked if council would let the right-of-way, which is beside the Guelph-Wellington Emergency Medical Services building, be used as a laneway.
Williamson said the curb would have to be cut further to not impede on the ambulance, and the stormwater drain would have to extend another 10 to 15 feet.
Mayor Andy Lennox thanked Williamson for his presentation, noting there were still hurdles to overcome.
