MARATHON — It’s been a couple of months since the municipality broke ground on the Pebble Beach development project, and the area is beginning to take shape.
The $1.35-million project is still expected to be completed in the fall despite the late start of construction season due to cold weather.
"They got off to a little bit of a late start, because of the weather and with the freeze-up," Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas said. "So, it was about a month behind. We're going to hopefully have our park back by late September, early October, which was the anticipated date. Everything's looking well and, from the timelines that were set out, they're on track”
The Pebble Beach development project is exactly what the mayor and council initially imagined.
The town had received $450,000 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund; however, COVID-19 had put a strain on the financing for Pebble Beach, which put the project close to $2 million.
“We were going to put a campsite and enhanced playground area. We had to reduce those and just went to the boardwalk, landing area, scenic view area, parking lot and steps down to the lake,” said Dumas.
Nevertheless, without the partnership from the government, Pebble Beach wouldn’t be taking form in the fall.
“With the help of the provincial and federal government, we're able to do those things. It's about partnership and working with the other levels of government and providing the actual amenity for the residents as well as visits. We all get the benefit and the government is always assisting us in all those projects,” explained Dumas.
Pebble Beach is a gorgeous designation for both the residents of Marathon and tourist taking in the sights as they travel across Northern Ontario.
“I think people in the community were very pleased, and not only that, visitors alike because Pebble Beach is a huge attraction. People come to town specifically for that, and it's a rock haven, kind of a dreamland because there's the beach is full of rocks, and if you're a rock hound, well, it's a pretty spot," Dumas said.
"Now it will be enhanced for the pleasure of residents, specifically residents, but, of course, both, visitors alike will come and have the opportunity to enjoy the great park in our backyard."