Spaniard’s Bay hoping Province will stretch the purse for underwater survey

By Mark Squibb
December 8, 2023 Edition

Spaniard’s Bay council is asking the Province for help to cover additional costs related to a regional water problem.

The communities of Upper Island Cove, Bryant’s Cove and Spaniard’s Bay all get their water from Kelly’s Pond, known locally as Spider Pond. At least once a year, as ice builds up in the pond, water near the intake freezes. Last spring an application was made, and approved, for a special assistance grant from the provincial government to pay an engineering firm to complete a report and offer recommendations on how the Town can address the problem. The government agreed to pay 90 percent of the total project cost, amounting to $13,715.

In November, WSP E&I Canada, the engineering firm hired by council to study the water supply intake, advised the Town it would need to conduct a bathymetric survey to determine water depths in the area of the intake. The survey would map out the pond’s floor.

During the November 22 meeting, Town Manager Tony Ryan explained to council the information is not readily available, and the company needs it to complete the report.

The work will cost $2,880 plus HST, for a total of $3,312.

After a brief discussion, council also gave Ryan the green light to write the provincial government and request the amount be included in the previously approved request for special assistance funding. Should government deny the request, Ryan said the neighbouring communities of Upper Island Cove and Bryant’s Cove are willing to commit to the project.