CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Charlottetown councillors are raising safety concerns with the floating dock at Victoria Park.
The issue was raised during Monday’s regular monthly meeting of council.
The concerns range from children observed climbing over the rocks near the dock when the structure’s gates are closed to motorized craft such as seadoos docking.
“Just in the last few days I have received texts and emails about the floating dock with boats docking to it,’’ said Coun. Terry MacLeod.
Coun. Alanna Jankov, the councillor for the area, said she has also received complaints about boats and seadoos docking at the structure.
“I think we need some supervision down there,’’ Jankov said. “I think we need some security down there.’’
When the city put the floating dock in place last year, it was stipulated that motorized craft could not dock to the structure. The city has a second dock at the Charlottetown Yacht Club where craft can launch from.
Council recently voted 4-3 in favour of spending $15,000 on another extension for the floating dock and MacLeod and Jankov both supported the extension. MacLeod explained that the $15,000 was already in the parks and recreation budget so it wasn’t costing the city a thing.
Coun. Mike Duffy said he has witnessed young people climbing over the rocks near the dock after the gates to the dock are closed although he added that a sign on the gates going down to the dock reads it is open from dawn to dusk.
Duffy said the city has to do something because if someone slips and gets hurt the municipality could face legal repercussions.
Coun. Mitchell Tweel, chairman of council’s standing committee on parks and recreation, said he will be looking into the issue to see what can be done.
“We need to send the message that they are prohibited from being anywhere near the floating dock,’’ Tweel said. “I will be talking to the manager of parks and recreation to rectify the situation.’’
