The Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) and the City of Toronto are proposing a new dragon boat racing facility for the Western Beaches just west of Ontario place. Toronto is bidding the host the International Dragon Boat Federation World Crew Club Championships and needs to complete this facility. The project includes rebuilding the breakwall, the seawall and viewing stands. The Martin Goodman Trail runs through this area along the seawall and there is an opportunity to make some improvements as part of this project.

Cyclists who travel the Martin Goodman Trail in this area know that there could be improvements in this area. The trail is often blocked off in this area by the Air Show, the Molson Indy, the Exhibition and other events. Presumably when the facility is built the area along the breakwall would be blocked off when there are events on that use the new watercourse. The first stage of the consultation on this project will take place on Thursday March 10, 2005. This is an environmental assessment that will look on the impacts of the project and be an opportunity for concerned individuals to make comments that can be incorporated into the design of this project. The meeting time and location details are quoted below.

Class EA Western Beaches Watercourse Facility Public Forum
Thursday, March 10th, 2005
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (EA Open House)
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Presentation and Discussion)
National Trade Centre, Exhibit Hall A, Salon 103, 100 Princes Blvd (Exhibition Place)

This will be an opportunity for people to see the initial plans and comment on them. In then end this project could enhance the Martin Goodman Trail. I say 'could' enhance since that will depend on the design that is selected. It is important for cyclists who are concerned about access through this area to get involved and make comments and suggestions.

The new project could include improvements to the trail along the breakwall that will allow cyclists, pedestrians and inline skaters to use the area safely and enjoyably. It could also include a safe detour that trail users could use when events block the main trail. The current situation now is that when events are blocking the trail in this area the trail users are forced onto a narrow bumpy strip of sidewalk that is sandwiched between Lake Shore Ave. and a tall chain link fence. Another thing that the EA could take into account is access for trail users during the construction of the facility. Whether or not this improvements to the trail do take place depends on the involvement of trail users who know of the difficulties that currently exist and with ideas on how to improve them. You can get involved by going to the meeting or by sending in comments before March 31, 2005. More information about the project is in the announcement from the TWRC and the City of Toronto. CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WESTERN BEACHES WATERCOURSE FACILITY NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT(PDF)